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.
10
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