Budget Activity
(This activity was originally made for achievement days, so if it is done for boys, it might need to be adjusted a bit.)

Needed:
These printouts (3 and 4 should probably be done on cardstock): Printout 1 (one per person), Printout 2 (one per person), Printout 3 (just one), Printout 4 (just one), Printout 5 (one per person), Printout 6 (two per person). Printout 7 (as many as you might need).
7 Tables or stations with bill collectors at them (you can combined these if necessary
Enough calculators for each table (or each girl)
Some sort of bell

Preparation:
Cut out printouts 1 and 2. There should be $93 for each person

Cut out printouts 3 and 4. These are the CHANCE cards. They should be shuffled and  place in a pile

Printout 5 has two parts. Cut out the top part, so each person has a list of bills they need to pay. The second part is the check log. Use construction paper to make a checkbook cover. Staple the check log on the inside top cover and the 6 checks (printout 6) on the bottom of the inside cover, so it looks like a real checkbook.

Printout 7 is for the bill collectors reference. Use these ammounts to know how much each person must pay for their bills:

The Activity:
Start by passing out the checkbooks. Teach short lesson on checking. Explain how to write a check and how to balance the checkbook using the checkbooks they have. Give them the $93 cash. Explain to them that everyone has different wants and needs. It is important that we realize the importance of budgeting and living within our means.
Tell them how the activity will work.
Give each person the "Bills to be paid" sheet. Tell them they need to fill it all in, and still have money left. Tell them to spend money ONLY on what they REALLY want or they will run out. (they only have 6 checks so they may want to use some cash for some of their bills). Make sure they realize this is not to see who has the most money when they are done. they are just going to see if they can live, with the things they need and want within the budget.

Have them go to the tables. Have the bill collectors ask them how much they want to spend. Do they Want a car? Do they want to eat out weekly? Have them pay the bills. During the activity, ring the bell. Tell them something has come up. Everyone needs to take a chance card. Explain that during the month surprises come up and they need to adjust their budget accordingly.

If someone realize they spent too much, let them go back to a station and change their check. Make sure they adjust it in their checkbook.

After everyone has finished paying their bills, have them gather to talk. Ask them if they were able to get the things they wanted. Stress how important it is to keep a budget.

Have fun!

(you may want to print up a few extra checks in case people need them.)