Vacation of a Lifetime Spending Plan

Good Afternoon, Personal Finance Class.  Get ready to plan a well-deserved vacation!

It is time to make those vacation dreams come true - at least the planning stages.  Over the next several days, you will be researching and recording information about what it takes to get from here to your chosen destination and back.

You have a budget of $1,000 if you choose to go alone.  If you choose to go with a classmate, your combined budget is $2,000.

This amount must pay for transportation (both ways), sightseeing, souvenir shopping, lodging, meals, and other expenses you may incur during your trip.

It is your job to plan a great vacation within your budget.  Don't "skimp" if you really wouldn't make those choices.  Be realistic.

Unfortunately, you may not choose a vacation package that includes everything all together.  You must research each category listed on the handout provided to you.

When you have completed your research, make all of your decisions AND record the transactions in your check register.  Then, prepare a presentation about your vacation according to the packet guidelines.

Remember....Dream BIG.  This is a Vacation of a Lifetime!

Sonny Advice Letter Comments 

1. Organize your multiple ideas into multiple paragraphs (1 main idea per paragraph).
2. Watch out for run on sentences.
3. How can calculating the percentages spent on each category better convince Sonny to follow your advice?  Implement these calculations when necessary.
4. How does your recommended control system work?  Can you provide a description of what this may look like for Sonny?
5. Check your spelling and grammar (sometimes even spell check misses errors). 
6. You convinced me to review some items in my budget!  
7. You may want to be nicer to Sonny; its only his first time budgeting.
8. Great job!  Sonny is lucky to have you!
9. With some revision, this will be the best letter of advice ever!
10. Feel free to ask for help if you need it.  I will gladly meet with you during a Tribe Time to help you with this composition.

Developing a Budget

EQ - What are the steps used to develop a budget?

1. Activator: Test your knowledge (TPS)
• Spending Plan Note Taking Guide
2. Application Activity - "The Brown Family Scenario"
• Steps 1-3
3. Discussion & Review
4. Intro - Control Systems
1. What?
2. Why?
5. Complete Steps 4-5
6. Discussion & Review
7. Assignment - Complete pages 25-26

EQ - How is a real life budget created, evaluated, and adjusted?

1. Activator - TPS Splashdown
2. AP - Collaborative Teams - Questionnaire
1. What are the similarities between the Brown Family's expense allocation and the average expense allocation?
2. What are 2 differences?
3. AP - Debriefing - White Board Response
1. What 3 steps of budgeting are for PLANNING?
2. Which category allocation from the scenario most alarms you?
3. What makes it alarming?
4. Activator - TPS: Mint.com Budgeting Gadget
5. Evaluating a budget
1. Sample Budget *
2. Review Control Systems
3. The evaluation process* (Together)
6. AP - Financial Advice - What advice would you give to Sonny?  Be specific and detailed *
1. Google Docs Instruction Sheet
2. Letter Directions
3. Composition Work Time
7. Self-Evaluation
1. What kind of spender are you? 
2. How can the result of this quiz help you when planning your personal budget?
8. TOD 
1. Review the Unit Map
2. Develop a Strengths and Weaknesses Chart to assess your current comprehension of Unit 4 objectives
3. How can you use this information to prepare for your Unit Exam