Introduction

Ways to save money

  • Choose nearly new goods. Make the most of second-hand offers from friends and relatives. Check that items are clean and in good working order.
  • Avoid impulse buys. Don't go food shopping when you're hungry as you'll end up buying twice as much. Make a list based on meals for the week and try to stick to it.
  • Toys needn't cost a fortune. Arrange toy swaps with friends, or go to parent and toddler groups so your child can play with a variety of toys.
  • Join the club. Supermarket clubs allows you to purchase bulk items for less and some offer samples and money-off vouchers, so you may want to sign up.
  • Cut coupons. Keep and use all the coupons and tokens you get free, but only if they're for items you would buy anyway.
  • Watch out for false economies. If you buy economy brands, remember they may not be as effective as more expensive ones. For example, if a cheaper product does not work as well, you'll end up using more in order to make it more powerful.
  • Stay within your means. Don't spend what you don't have. If you need to be really strict with yourself, take cash (not checks or credit cards) when shopping so you can't spend more than you'd planned to.

 

 

Task

Your Task

1. In a mentoring team, discussion is essential. Allow each member to share ideas during each step of the WebQuest process.

2. During this study you will be discussing money management in the home.

3. Follow the six process steps.

Step 1 - Learn about the family history.

Step 2 - Read the case study and answer the reflection questions.

Step 3 - Produce a Problem Statement and add it to the Discussion/Communication box to share what you have done with others.

Step 4 - Use the Links to go on a WebQuest to research on the web.

Step 5 - Produce a Hypothesis and use the Discussion/Communication box to share what you have come up with.

Step 6 - Finally, use the Discussion/Communication box again to reflect and share on the learning experience.

 

Process

STEP 1 | STEP 2 | STEP 3 | STEP 4 | STEP 5 | STEP 6


Step 1: Learn about a family

Pick a family from the choices linked on the family history page and learn about a family, their history and all the struggles they are currently facing.

Family History Page

 

 

STEP 1 | STEP 2 | STEP 3 | STEP 4 | STEP 5 | STEP 6

Step 2: Read a case study on the family you picked

Read a case study from one of the following categories that match the family history that you read from Step 1

newlyweds

grandparents raising their grandchild

Create a list on a piece of paper under the heading: "What do we know?" This may include data from the family history, the case study, or information based on prior knowledge.

 

 

STEP 1 | STEP 2 | STEP 3 | STEP 4 | STEP 5 | STEP 6

Step 3: Develop a Problem Statement

A problem statement should come from your analysis of what you know. The problem statement will probably have to be refined as new information is discovered and brought to bear on the situation. Typical problem statements may be based on discrepant events, incongruities, anomalies, or stated needs of the family.

Need Help? View Problem Statement Helps

"What is this families problem"

Problem Statement Discussion Boards

Enter The Family Life Curriculum Forum and submit your problem statement on the discussion page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forum Rules:

1. You must log on by creating a user name and password.

2. Each group should maintain the same user name to enable discussion consistency.

3. You may not use the discussion boards for sales or advertisements.

4. You may not use profanity.

5. Respect and courtesy for others is required.

 

 

STEP 1 | STEP 2 | STEP 3 | STEP 4 | STEP 5 | STEP 6

Step 4: Gather information on the Web

Search for what you need to know about your study

List on paper what is needed for your family. Presented with the problem, you will need to find information on this topic to research family issues. Make a second list on your paper under the heading: "What do we need to know?" These questions will guide searches that will take place on-line.

Click here to research the newlyweds
Click here to research the single Mom
Click here to research the blended family
Click here to research the grandparents

 

 

Step 5: Formulate a hypothesis

Under the heading: "What should we do?" list actions that may be taken, recommendations and solutions.

Need Help? View Hypothesis Helps

"What should we do?"

Hypothesis Statement Discussion Boards

Enter The Family Life Curriculum Forum and submit your hypothesis statement on the discussion page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forum Rules:

1. You must log on by creating a user name and password.

2. Each group should maintain the same user name to enable discussion consistency.

3. You may not use the discussion boards for sales or advertisements.

4. You may not use profanity.

5. Respect and courtesy for others is required

 

STEP 1 | STEP 2 | STEP 3 | STEP 4 | STEP 5 | STEP 6

Step 6: Reflection and Sharing

As part of reflection and sharing, present your findings and recommendations. The presentation should bring together all the material gathered in the previous steps. Analyze the problem statement, questions, data gathered, analysis of data, and support for solutions and recommendations based on other peoples comments in the discussion pages to make an argument to support your solution.

Need Help? View Reflection Helps

"Conclusion"

Reflection Statement Discussion Boards

Enter The Family Life Curriculum Forum and submit your reflection statement on the discussion page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forum Rules:

1. You must log on by creating a user name and password.

2. Each group should maintain the same user name to enable discussion consistency.

3. You may not use the discussion boards for sales or advertisements.

4. You may not use profanity.

5. Respect and courtesy for others is required.

 

Conclusion

Lets see what we have learned!

Distinguish between Wants and Needs: You will save a ton of money if you don't mistake wants for needs. Needs are pretty simple to identify, those items that are necessary to sustain: Shelter, food, clothing, transportation. Wants are those things that enhance or possibly improve our family life. A car is a need. Unless necessary for your business, a $40,000 Sport Utility Vehicle is a want, even if a lot of people don't see it that way. Have you ever heard (or said) "I absolutely need...?" when the actual meaning was "I really want?" This is not to suggest that you shouldn't be able to have the things you want, only that to delude yourself into believing that a want is a need and busting your budget in the process is a recipe for financial disaster.

Is less better? Perhaps it was due to the booming economy, perhaps "keeping up with the Jones's", maybe its ego, but for many of us, we often seem to insist on the biggest and the best, no matter what the cost. When a $15,000 new car may be more than acceptable, we stretch the seams of our budget to afford a $25,000 vehicle. We buy $25 shirts with $35 designer labels attached. We opt for the $100 dinner at the trendy restaurant when a $20 meal would have been just as delicious. Think about where you are spending the family money and how to see if there couldn't be savings found with minor changes in habits.

Try before you Buy: This goes a long way in helping to avoid the silly purchases of things you rarely or never use. Before you buy something, especially items with big price tags, borrow one, rent one or try one out before you plunk down the cash. If you are bored with it, or determine that it truly is not something you need before you buy it (and you will be on a certain percentage of items) you will definitely be bored with it, or find it not that necessary, after! Example: You feel that you absolutely must have a new Jet-Ski, at a cost of $4500 (and that is before financing and taxes). You go to the lake, rent one, and 45 minutes into a one hour rental you are saying, "geez, this is a long hour." Saved: More than $4500 (perhaps a year of college fees for the kid!)