Lesson Plan
Adulting: Can You Afford It?
Students will be able to identify key expenses associated with independent living and evaluate their current skill set against essential life skills required for successful adulting.
This lesson is vital for 12th-grade students as it directly addresses the practical challenges and responsibilities of moving out. It helps them prepare for financial independence and develop critical life skills, empowering them to make informed decisions about their future.
Audience
12th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, budgeting activity, and self-assessment.
Materials
- Adulting Readiness Slide Deck, - Life Skills Checklist Activity, - Whiteboard or projector, and - Markers or pens
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Adulting Readiness Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
- Print copies of the Life Skills Checklist Activity for each student.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for display.
Step 1
Introduction & Hook
5 minutes
- Begin with a thought-provoking question: "How many of you dream of moving out after high school?"
- Introduce the concept of "adulting" and the excitement and challenges of independent living.
- Present the lesson's objective using the Adulting Readiness Slide Deck.
Step 2
The Cost of Freedom: Budgeting Activity
15 minutes
- Use the Adulting Readiness Slide Deck to introduce common living expenses (rent, utilities, food, transportation, etc.).
- Distribute the Life Skills Checklist Activity to students.
- Instruct students to work individually or in pairs to estimate monthly costs and assess their current life skills.
- Facilitate a brief discussion on surprising costs or skills they hadn't considered.
Step 3
Life Skills Check-In
5 minutes
- Guide students through the life skills section of the Life Skills Checklist Activity.
- Discuss the importance of practical skills beyond finances, such as cooking, cleaning, and basic repairs.
- Ask students to identify one skill they want to improve before moving out.
Step 4
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
5 minutes
- Conclude by emphasizing that adulting is a journey, not a destination.
- Encourage students to start practicing these skills now.
- Provide a brief summary of key takeaways and open the floor for any final questions.
Slide Deck
Adulting: Can You Afford It?
Ready to fly the nest? Let's find out what it takes!
Welcome students and start with an engaging question to activate prior knowledge and interest. Emphasize that moving out is exciting but comes with responsibilities.
Today's Mission
- Understand the real costs of living independently.
- Discover essential life skills for adulting.
- Assess your own readiness to move out.
- Start planning for your future!
Introduce the learning objectives. Explain that today's activity will cover both financial aspects and practical skills.
The Cost of Freedom
What do you think are the biggest expenses when you live on your own?
Prompt students to brainstorm different categories of expenses. Write their ideas on the board or ask them to share aloud.
Typical Monthly Expenses
- Housing: Rent, utilities (electricity, water, gas, internet)
- Food: Groceries, dining out
- Transportation: Car payment, insurance, gas, public transit
- Personal Care: Toiletries, haircuts
- Health: Insurance, prescriptions
- Entertainment: Hobbies, going out
- Miscellaneous: Emergency fund, unexpected costs
Present a list of common expenses. Give students time to think about how much each might cost monthly in their area. This will lead into the worksheet.
Your
You'll be estimating monthly costs and checking off skills on your worksheet.
Introduce the Life Skills Checklist Activity. Explain that they will be estimating costs and checking off skills. Emphasize that it's okay if they don't have all the skills yet.
Any Surprises?
What shocked you the most about the costs?
What life skill have you never thought about needing?
Prompt a quick discussion: What was the most surprising expense? What was an unexpected skill? Facilitate sharing and briefly explain the importance of an emergency fund.
Adulting Is A Journey!
It's okay not to know everything right now. The goal is to start learning and preparing!
What's ONE skill you want to practice this week?
Reiterate that 'adulting' is a process. Encourage them to start small, perhaps by helping with groceries or learning a basic repair.
You've Got This!
Start planning, start learning, and you'll be ready for anything!
Thank students and encourage them to continue thinking about these topics. Offer resources if available (e.g., school counselor, financial literacy websites).
Worksheet
Life Skills Checklist: Ready for Adulting?
## Part 1: The Cost of Freedom - Monthly Expense Estimator
Picture this: You've just landed your first 'adult' job and are ready to move into your own place! But before you pack your bags, let's figure out the financial reality. Estimate what these common monthly expenses might cost if you were living independently in our area. Think realistically!
1. Rent/Mortgage: (Your monthly housing cost)
$
2. Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas, Internet): (Don't forget all those bills!)
$
3. Groceries (Food you cook at home): (Eating out adds up, but what about cooking for yourself?)
$
4. Transportation (Gas, public transit, car payment/insurance): (How will you get around?)
$
5. Personal Care (Toiletries, hygiene, haircuts): (Looking good isn't free!)
$
6. Health (Insurance, prescriptions, doctor visits - even if parent covers for now, consider future): (Staying healthy is important, and can be costly!)
$
7. Entertainment/Leisure (Movies, hobbies, eating out): (Fun costs money!)
$
8. Miscellaneous/Emergency Fund (Unexpected repairs, savings): (Life happens! What if something breaks or you have an unexpected bill?)
$
---
TOTAL ESTIMATED MONTHLY EXPENSES:
$
Reflection: After completing your budget, what was the most surprising expense category for you, and why? What's the biggest challenge you foresee in managing these costs?
## Part 2: Essential Life Skills Checklist
Money isn't everything! Successful adulting also means having practical skills. How do your current skills stack up? For each skill, check the box under Confident if you feel good about doing it on your own. If it's a skill you still need to learn or improve, check the box under Need to Learn/Improve.
### Financial Skills
| Skill | Confident | Need to Learn/Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Creating and sticking to a budget | [ ] | [ ] |
| Paying bills on time | [ ] | [ ] |
| Understanding a paycheck and taxes | [ ] | [ ] |
| Saving money for goals (e.g., emergency fund, big purchases) | [ ] | [ ] |
| Understanding basic banking (checking, savings, credit cards) | [ ] | [ ] |
| Identifying and avoiding financial scams | [ ] | [ ] |
### Home Management & Maintenance
| Skill | Confident | Need to Learn/Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking basic healthy meals | [ ] | [ ] |
| Doing laundry (sorting, washing, drying, folding) | [ ] | [ ] |
| Cleaning a bathroom and kitchen thoroughly | [ ] | [ ] |
| Basic home repairs (e.g., changing a lightbulb, unclogging a drain) | [ ] | [ ] |
| Organizing and decluttering living spaces | [ ] | [ ] |
| Understanding renter's insurance | [ ] | [ ] |
### Personal Care & Wellness
| Skill | Confident | Need to Learn/Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling and attending doctor/dentist appointments | [ ] | [ ] |
| Managing medications | [ ] | [ ] |
| Practicing self-care and stress management | [ ] | [ ] |
| Maintaining personal hygiene | [ ] | [ ] |
| Making healthy food choices | [ ] | [ ] |
### Communication & Social Skills
| Skill | Confident | Need to Learn/Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Communicating effectively with roommates/landlords | [ ] | [ ] |
| Resolving conflicts peacefully | [ ] | [ ] |
| Asking for help when needed | [ ] | [ ] |
| Building and maintaining healthy relationships | [ ] | [ ] |
| Advocating for yourself respectfully | [ ] | [ ] |
### Other Important Skills
| Skill | Confident | Need to Learn/Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Time management and prioritizing tasks | [ ] | [ ] |
| Problem-solving and critical thinking | [ ] | [ ] |
| Setting personal goals | [ ] | [ ] |
| Navigating public transportation or driving safely | [ ] | [ ] |
| Basic computer literacy for managing online accounts | [ ] | [ ] |
Reflection: Looking at your checklist, choose ONE skill you want to focus on in the next six months. Describe a small, actionable step you can take this week to start working on it.
Script
Adulting: Can You Afford It? - Teacher Script
## Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon everyone! I have a question for you all. How many of you dream of moving out after high school? To have your own place, make your own rules, and truly be independent? Raise your hands if that sounds exciting!"
(Pause for student responses)
Teacher: "That's awesome! It's a really exciting time to think about. We often call this 'adulting' – the journey into independent living. It's a huge step, full of freedom and new experiences, but also a lot of responsibilities. Today, we're going to explore what it really takes to 'adult,' focusing on two big questions: Can you afford it, and do you have the skills to thrive?"
"Our mission for today is to:"
(Refer to Adulting Readiness Slide Deck - Slide: Today's Mission)
"- Understand the real costs of living independently.
- Discover essential life skills for adulting.
- Assess your own readiness to move out.
- Start planning for your future!"
## The Cost of Freedom: Budgeting Activity (15 minutes)
Teacher: "Alright, let's dive into the first big piece: money. When you think about living on your own, what do you imagine are the biggest expenses you'll have each month? Shout out some ideas!"
(Refer to Adulting Readiness Slide Deck - Slide: The Cost of Freedom. Write student responses on the board: e.g., rent, food, car, phone.)
Teacher: "Those are all great points! And often, there are even more expenses than we initially think about. Take a look at some typical monthly expenses."
(Refer to Adulting Readiness Slide Deck - Slide: Typical Monthly Expenses. Briefly go over the categories.)
Teacher: "Now, you're going to get a chance to be an adult for a few minutes. I'm handing out a worksheet called the Life Skills Checklist Activity. Please turn to Part 1: The Cost of Freedom. Your task is to estimate how much you think each of these expenses would cost per month if you were living on your own in our area. Be as realistic as possible – do a quick mental math check. If you're not sure, make your best guess!"
(Distribute Life Skills Checklist Activity. Allow 7-8 minutes for students to complete Part 1.)
Teacher: "Okay, let's bring it back. What was the most surprising expense category for you? Did anything cost more than you expected?"
(Refer to Adulting Readiness Slide Deck - Slide: Any Surprises? Facilitate a brief discussion.)
## Life Skills Check-In (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Money is a huge part of being independent, but it's not the only part. You also need skills! Turn to Part 2 of your Life Skills Checklist Activity. This is your Essential Life Skills Checklist. Go through each section – financial skills, home management, personal care, communication, and other important skills. Check the box next to any skill you feel confident performing on your own right now."
(Allow 3-4 minutes for students to complete Part 2.)
Teacher: "Alright, look over your checklist. Don't worry if there are a lot of unchecked boxes – that's totally normal! The point of this isn't to make you feel overwhelmed, but to show you what areas you might want to focus on. What's one life skill you saw on the list that you've never really thought about needing, or one you want to learn or improve before moving out?"
(Refer to Adulting Readiness Slide Deck - Slide: Any Surprises? Facilitate a brief discussion.)
## Wrap-Up & Next Steps (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Remember, adulting is a journey, not a destination! No one has all the answers or all the skills from day one. The key is to be aware, to start learning, and to practice. You don't have to wait until you move out to start. You can begin now by helping with groceries, trying a new recipe, or learning how to fix something small around the house."
(Refer to Adulting Readiness Slide Deck - Slide: Adulting Is A Journey! and You've Got This!)
Teacher: "What's one thing you can do this week to work on a life skill?"
(Allow a few students to share)
Teacher: "Exactly! Small steps lead to big successes. By thinking about these things now, you're already ahead of the game. Keep these skills and financial realities in mind as you plan for your futures. You've got this! Thanks everyone!"
Warm Up
Adulting Warm-Up: Dream Home
Instructions: Imagine your ideal living situation after high school. It could be an apartment, a house, with roommates, or on your own. In a few sentences, describe your dream living situation.
Then, quickly brainstorm 2-3 things you think you would need to pay for every month in that situation.
Cool Down
Adulting Cool-Down: One Step Forward
Instructions: Think about today's activity. What is ONE new financial expense or life skill that you learned about or realized you need to work on?
How will knowing this help you prepare for independent living in the future?