Financial literacy activities

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Making spending decisions

Students practice a commonly used decision-making model called PACED to help make spending decisions.

Topic

Spend (Budgeting, Buying things)

Subject

CTE (Career and technical education), Social studies or history

Grade Level

High school (9-10), High school (11-12)

Duration

45-60 minutes

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Updated

Big idea

Common decision-making models can help you make informed spending choices.

Essential questions

  • What types of choices do you make when spending money?
  • How can you make thoughtful spending decisions?

Objectives

  • Understand the PACED decision-making model
  • Apply the PACED model to making spending decisions

What students will do

  • Complete one teacher-directed scenario using the PACED decision-making model. 
  • Use the “Making spending decisions” worksheet to complete additional scenarios.
  • Reflect and share thoughts about spending decisions made with the PACED model.

Download activity

Teacher guide

cfpb_building_block_activities_making-spending-decisions_guide.pdf

Student materials

cfpb_building_block_activities_making-spending-decisions_worksheet.pdf

Note: Please remember to consider your students’ accommodations and special needs to ensure that all students are able to participate in a meaningful way.

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