Planning and Responsibility

Life after High School, Goals, and Finances

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Questions to ask yourself before graduating:

1. Do you know exactly what you want to be?

2. How can you get there?

3. Are you unsure of your plans?

Life after High School

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Regardless of what you want to be, you will likely be heading toward higher education of some kind.

For this reason, you will need to know about: Careers Academic preparation for college How to pay for college How to manage your financial life

after you graduate

Life after High School

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Be Responsible

Complete your own financial aid paperwork for college. Be in charge or have equal input in paying your bills

and managing your finances. Do thorough research before making purchasing

decisions. Have your own checking and savings accounts. Create a personal budget. Know how to manage your credit and credit score.

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Create Your Budget

Savings (amount to save each month) Fixed Expenses (typically same amount each month):

Auto, Rent, Student or Personal Loan, Utilities, and Phone Flexible Expenses (vary each month) :

Food, Clothing, and Entertainment

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Manage Your Credit

There are 3 reporting agencies to check your score:Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian

Do not take out too many credit cards or loans. Pay on time. Pay more than the monthly amount due. Make sure the interest rate is low and worth the spending.

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Know Your Paycheck Deductions

Taxes Insurance Social Security Medicaid The amount you choose as an allowance:

Higher amount = Less taxes taken out of each paycheck, but less back at the end of the year.

Lower amount = More back at the end of the year, but more taken out of each paycheck.

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Set Goals

Be specific - Define what you want to achieve and when.

Be realistic - Make certain your goals are attainable. Setting unattainable goals will only lead to

disappointment when they are not achieved. Write them down - Keep records of your goals, and

mark them off as you achieve them. Writing down goals, reviewing them, and recording your

progress can motivate you.

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Additional Reference

Texas Reality Check http://www.texasrealitycheck.com/ Created for Texas students, teachers, and

administrators by the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Education Agency.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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Your “Life after High School Guide” document with your screen shot pasted and 3 paragraphs

Be prepared to discuss your “Life after High School Guide” findings.

Your “Be Responsible” document to be graded by your peers and discussed

Checkpoint