Minds On
Vacation savings
Here are some terms related to this lesson:
Task
Reflecting on these terms, explore the following scenario with a partner, or independently, and discuss how these terms may be questions that you could ask for this family. Record your ideas in an audio recording, on paper, or on a digital platform.
Complete the Planning and Savings chart in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
A family of four has been wanting to go back home to visit their family for a few years now. They keep trying to put money aside to save for this trip but have not had much success. They both work full time and have two young children.
Action
Down payment on a home
A down payment is a sum of money that a buyer pays in the early stages of purchasing an expensive good or service, such as a house. The down payment represents a portion of the total purchase price, and the amount required varies.

Complete the Home Down Payment Worksheet in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable documents.

Press the Activity button to access the Home Down Payment Worksheet.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)Consolidation
Adjust a budget
An employee made a budget for their monthly expenses. They then tracked how much they actually spent for the month. The employee has two part time jobs. They work at a laundromat and after taxes and deductions on their paycheques each month, they bring home $650.00 net a month. As a cashier at the supermarket, after taxes and deductions on their paycheques, they bring home $800.00 a month.
Planned fixed monthly expenses:
- $230.00 rent (they share an apartment with two friends).
- $175.00 car payments
- $220.00 car insurance
- $65.00 cell phone
Planned variable monthly expenses:
- $100.00 saving for aesthetic school
- $200.00 food
- $60.00 gas
- $50.00 clothes
- $70.00 entertainment
- $30.00 personal items
Below is what they spent for the month. They also picked up an extra shift at work and made an extra $60.00.
What they spent on their fixed monthly expenses:
- $250.00 rent (rent went up this month)
- $175.00 car payment
- $220.00 car insurance
- $65.00 cell phone
What they spent on their variable monthly expenses:
- $300.00 food (they had friends over one night for a dinner party)
- $60.00 gas + $40.00 for an oil change
- $8.00 new pair of shoes
- $100.00 entertainment
- $50.00 personal items
- $38.00 for their sister’s birthday gift
- $25.00 parking fees
Unexpected expenses:
- $220.00 car repairs (they needed two new tires replaced)
- $115.00 speeding ticket
Respond to the following questions in an audio recording, on paper, in a journal, or on the computer.
Complete the Budget Adjustment Activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.

Press the Activity button to access the Budget Adjustment Activity.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel...
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.
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