Console Yourself!Jamie the School Boy’s Lesson

ObjectiveTo help Jamie buy a console and save £100

StarterCan you think of all the major things that you need to

budget for on a weekly basis?

Which do you prioritise most and least?

Jamie wants to save £350 for a new console, and also needs to save £100 to pay for other things.

He currently receives £25 per month pocket money.

His parents will give him £100 for obtaining a good school report. This can only happen if his lifestyle choices don’t negatively impact on his school work.

Here are the decisions Jamie has to make – careful though, each has an impact on his happiness.

Get a paper round

Money: +£25/monthHappiness: -3School work: -2

Getting a paper round means lots of early starts. This makes Jamie tired for school and means he struggles to concentrate in class.

Wash the car

Money: +£10/monthHappiness: -1School work: +1

Jamie has to get up early on a Sunday morning to wash the car. This means that Jamie still has time to finish his homework at the weekend.

Sell old games online

Money: +£15/monthHappiness: +2School work: +4

Easy money. Jamie is always on the computer anyway, and he is working on a project about e-commerce for school. So, he is studying and making money.

Go out every Friday

Money: -£20/monthHappiness: +3School work: -1

It’s important for Jamie to socialise with his friends, but going out every week is expensive and means he has less time to complete school work.

Spend less time on his mobile

Money: +£20/monthHappiness: -2School work: +2

Jamie needs to organise his social life, but using his phone could save him a lot of money. It would also give him more time for school.

Now come up with your own scores for these activities and an explanation of why you chose them:

Buying clothes

Money: ?Happiness: ?School work: ?

Buying video games for the new console

Money: ?Happiness: ?School work: ?

Downloading music and films

Money: ?Happiness: ?School work: ?

Over 8 months, can you make sure Jamie has enough money to buy the console (£350) with £100 pocket money left over?

Pocket money 25 50 75 100

Paper round

Car washing

Sell old games

Go out on Fridays

Reduce mobile time

Buy clothes

Buy new games

Downloads

£ H SW £ H SW £ H SW £ H SW

September October November December

Remember, if Jamie’s school work score is positive at the end, he receives £100 from his parents for his hard work.

Pocket money 25 50 75 100

Paper round

Car washing

Sell old games

Go out on Fridays

Reduce mobile time

Buy clothes

Buy new games

Downloads

£ H SW £ H SW £ H SW £ H SW

January February March April

Group Work

Please discuss the following with a partner / group:

What were your final scores for:- Money?- Happiness?- School Work?

Can Jamie afford his console, with £100 remaining?

Which sacrifices did you make? Are these the same as you would make in your life?