Lesson
Fixed & Variable Expenses
Summary
Rent stays the same after a bad month—the grocery bill doesn't. This lesson teaches students to classify expenses as fixed or variable and launches the Life Scenarios budgeting simulation.
Bellringer: The Bill That Never Changes
- Display the budget shortfall scenario and give students 1-2 minutes to formulate a response.
Instruction
- Define fixed vs. variable expenses.
- Classify real-life expenses into these categories.
- Identify a common grey area: expenses that feel fixed but are actually variable.
Discussion: Spending the Leftovers
- Facilitate discussion for 5 minutes on how a student would allocate income leftover after expenses.
Activity: Life Scenarios Game
- Launch Life Scenarios.
- Circulate and prompt students to notice which expenses are fixed vs. variable as they play.
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- Name two fixed expenses and two variable expenses from Life Scenarios.
- Which type of expense is easier to reduce when money is tight—and why?
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Bellringer: The Bill That Never Changes |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 5 min | Discussion: Spending the Leftovers |
|
| 20 min | Activity: Life Scenarios Game |
|
| 5 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
Life Scenarios
Student begin the Life Scenarios game.
Class Presentation
Includes a 17-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
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- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 4: How to Budget
Foundations of Budgeting
A budget isn't a restriction—it's a plan. This lesson introduces needs vs. wants, net pay, and a planning mindset through scenario-based discussion and a life simulation.
Fixed & Variable Expenses
Rent stays the same after a bad month—the grocery bill doesn't. This lesson teaches students to classify expenses as fixed or variable and launches the Life Scenarios budgeting simulation.
Major Expenses
Most people underestimate housing and transportation costs, but together they can consume 70% of an adult's budget. This lesson breaks down upfront and ongoing costs of renting, total cost of car ownership, and trade-offs that define financial stability.
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