The Task

Your task is to create a budget. You will do this by adding information to the provided budget calculator. Follow the steps in order.

The Process

Vocabulary

fixed expense variable expenses

gross income net income

1. Create a Preliminary Budget

Click on the link to open the budget template. Download the document and save it to your desktop.

Use the information from the preliminary budget sheet to create your preliminary budget.

Do you have enough money to get by, or do you need to make adjustments?

Write down how much money you have left over after finishing your budget.

To view a sample budget, click here. Can you make this budget balance?

2. Get a Job

Browse job descriptions and find one that looks like a good fit for you once have graduated from high school. Make sure that you meet most of the required qualifications.

The U.S. Department of Education has a database of jobs on their site. Click here to access the job information.

Write down the following information for the job you choose:

Job title
Annual and monthly salary
Requirements
Why you chose this job

3. Revise Your Budget

Change the amount of the income in your budget from the average amount to the monthly pay for your chosen job. How does this change the way you will need to spend your money?

Share what you have learned about budgeting by completing the reflection on the next page.