Grade Level: Middle or High School
Duration: One to two class periods
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5. Money Matters
🎯 Objective
Students connect budgeting and lifestyle decisions to future earnings and realistic career
planning.
🧰 Tools
Career Exploration: Lifestyle Calculator, Career Profiles
Reflection: Career Journal
(Optional) Postsecondary Plan
👩🏫 Teacher Script
“You do not need everything figured out, but it helps to understand how money and careers
connect. Today you will compare salary, lifestyle, and choices.”
🧾 Steps
1.Complete the Lifestyle Calculator.
2.Use the results to search for careers
that fit your chosen lifestyle.
3.Watch the Virtual Job Shadowing video
for one career
4.Fill out the Career Journal
5.Optional: Add your findings to your
Postsecondary Plan.
💬 Reflection
Format: Whole class, small groups, or
individual
Prompts:
What surprised you about the cost of your
lifestyle?
How might your plan change with more
experience or training?
Why is it important to balance goals and
income?
⏰ Suggested Timing
Calculator and research: 40 min
Discussion and reflection: 15 to 20 min
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5. Money Matters — Student Worksheet
Name:
Date:
1. Lifestyle Results
2. Career Match
4. Reflection
Why is it important to compare lifestyle and income when planning for the future?
What part of your lifestyle is the most expensive?
3. Cost and Choices
Would you change anything about your lifestyle to make it more realistic?
Write one thing that surprised you about your Lifestyle Calculator results.
Career that fits your lifestyle:
Average salary:
Education or training required: