Lesson Plan
Budget to Thrive Lesson Plan
Learners will identify income and expenses, create a personalized budget using a worksheet, practice prioritizing spending in groups, and reinforce budgeting skills through an interactive game.
Financial stability reduces stress and supports long-term recovery. Mastering budgeting empowers participants to manage money effectively, avoid crises, and build confidence.
Audience
Adult IOP Participants
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Hands-on exercises, group work, and a game-based review.
Materials
Budget Worksheet, - Group Budget Activity Sheet, - Role-Play Scenario Cards, - Budgeting Jenga Set, - Flipchart and Markers, and - Projector and Laptop
Prep
Material Preparation
15 minutes
- Print copies of the Budget Worksheet and Group Budget Activity Sheet.
- Prepare sets of Role-Play Scenario Cards and Budgeting Jenga Set.
- Set up flipchart or projector for budget overview slides.
- Arrange seating for small-group work.
Step 1
Introduction and Icebreaker
10 minutes
- Welcome participants; explain session goals and relevance to recovery.
- Icebreaker: in pairs, share one financial stressor and one success.
- Briefly discuss how budgeting can reduce stress and support stability.
Step 2
Budget Basics Overview
10 minutes
- Present key concepts via projector or flipchart:
- Income vs. expenses
- Fixed, variable, and discretionary expenses
- Importance of savings and emergency funds
- Use real-life examples relevant to IOP participants.
Step 3
Individual Budget Worksheet
15 minutes
- Distribute the Budget Worksheet.
- Guide participants to list all income sources and monthly expenses.
- Encourage honest estimates and include occasional costs (e.g., medical, transport).
- Circulate and offer support.
Step 4
Group Expense Prioritization Activity
10 minutes
- Form small groups of 3–4.
- Give each group a Group Budget Activity Sheet.
- Assign scenarios with limited income; have groups rank expenses by priority.
- Each group presents one trade-off decision and rationale.
Step 5
Budgeting Jenga Game
10 minutes
- Divide into the same small groups.
- Using the Budgeting Jenga Set, players draw blocks labeled with expenses or savings challenges.
- When a block is drawn, discuss as a group how to address that expense or increase savings.
- Continue until time is up; highlight key lessons from the game.
Step 6
Discussion and Wrap-Up
5 minutes
- Facilitate a group discussion: What was most challenging? What strategies felt most helpful?
- Ask participants to share one budgeting goal they will implement this month.
- Summarize key takeaways and provide information on where to access additional budgeting resources.
Worksheet
Budget Worksheet
Name: ____________________________ Date: _______________
Section 1: Income
List all your income sources and the monthly amounts for each.
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
Total Monthly Income: $_________
Section 2: Expenses
A. Fixed Expenses (e.g., rent, loan payments)
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
Total Fixed Expenses: $_________
B. Variable Expenses (e.g., groceries, utilities, transport)
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
Total Variable Expenses: $_________
C. Discretionary Expenses (e.g., entertainment, dining out)
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
- _________________________________ $__________
Total Discretionary Expenses: $_________
Section 3: Budget Summary
- Total Monthly Income: $_________
- Total Expenses (Fixed + Variable + Discretionary): $_________
- Net Balance (Income – Expenses): $_________
Section 4: Goal Setting
What is one specific budgeting goal you will commit to this month? (e.g., reduce dining-out costs, save for an emergency fund)
Section 5: Emergency Fund Planning
How much can you set aside each month for an emergency fund? How will you adjust your expenses to make room for these savings?
Activity
Group Budget Prioritization
Scenario:
You are a single adult in recovery with a fixed monthly income of $1,500 after taxes. Your task is to work as a group to rank the following expenses by priority, where 1 is the most essential and 8 is the least. Use the table below to assign a priority and briefly explain your rationale.
| Expense | Monthly Cost | Priority (1–8) | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $600 | ||
| Groceries | $250 | ||
| Utilities | $100 | ||
| Transportation | $100 | ||
| Phone/Internet | $50 | ||
| Healthcare/Medications | $100 | ||
| Entertainment/Discretionary | $100 | ||
| Savings/Emergency Fund | $200 |
(Feel free to adjust categories or add a small discretionary line item if your group thinks it’s important.)
Discussion Prompts
- Which expense did your group rank as #1? Why?
- If you had to cut $100 from this budget, which expense would you reduce or remove? Why?
- What was the most challenging part of prioritizing these expenses? How might that challenge look different in real life?
- How can setting aside a small amount for savings each month help in times of crisis?
When your group finishes, be prepared to share one key trade-off your team made and how you decided on it.
Discussion
Budget Reflection Discussion
Objective: Reinforce key budgeting insights and create an action plan for ongoing financial wellness.
Instructions for Facilitator
- Arrange participants in a circle or remain seated in small groups.
- Display or distribute the discussion prompts.
- Invite volunteers to share; encourage respectful listening and follow-up questions.
Discussion Questions
- Reflecting on the Budget Worksheet
What was the most challenging part of completing your personal budget? Why?
Follow-Up: What strategies or tools could help you overcome this challenge next month? - Group Prioritization Insights
How did your group’s expense ranking change your perspective on discretionary spending (e.g., entertainment, dining out)?
Follow-Up: Can you think of a real-life situation where you might apply that new perspective? - Emergency Fund Importance
What did you learn about setting aside savings each month for an emergency fund?
Follow-Up: How much could you realistically save each month, and what expense will you adjust to make room for it? - Next-Month Adjustments
Looking at your net balance (Income − Expenses), what is one concrete change you will make in your budget next month?
Follow-Up: What steps will you take to track and stick to that change? - Budgeting and Recovery
In what ways can mastering budgeting skills support your recovery journey and reduce stress?
Follow-Up: How might you remind yourself regularly to follow your budget (e.g., calendar alerts, accountability partner)?
Setting a SMART Budgeting Goal
Invite each participant to write down one SMART goal related to their budget, for example:
- Specific: I will reduce dining-out expenses to $50 per month.
- Measurable: I will record every purchase in a spending app.
- Achievable: I will cook at home 3 times per week.
- Relevant: This goal helps me save for an emergency fund.
- Time-bound: I will review my progress in four weeks.
Resources & Next Steps
- Encourage participants to keep using the Budget Worksheet monthly.
- Offer referral to financial counseling or online budgeting tools.
- Remind them of peer-support check-ins to stay accountable.
Closing: Thank everyone for their honesty and participation. Reinforce that small, consistent budgeting steps build confidence and stability in recovery.
Slide Deck
Budget to Thrive
60-minute interactive session for adult IOP participants recovering from substance use
Master budgeting to achieve financial stability and support long-term recovery.
Welcome participants; introduce yourself and the session’s purpose. Provide a brief overview of today’s flow.
Session Objectives
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
• Identify your income and expenses
• Create a personalized monthly budget
• Prioritize spending in challenging scenarios
• Apply budgeting skills through a fun group game
Read each objective aloud and connect it to reduced stress and stronger recovery. Invite nods or questions.
Why Budgeting Matters in Recovery
• Reduces financial stress and anxiety
• Builds a safety net against unexpected costs
• Encourages better decision-making
• Supports long-term stability and confidence
Explain why budgeting matters: fewer surprises, more confidence, and better focus on recovery.
Icebreaker: Share & Connect
In pairs, share:
- One financial stressor you’ve faced
- One small financial success you’ve had
Discuss how having a budget might help in each case.
Pair participants and prompt them to share for 5 minutes, then invite 2–3 volunteers to report back.
Budget Basics: Income vs. Expenses
Income: Money you receive each month (e.g., wages, benefits)
Expenses: Money you spend each month (bills, groceries, transport)
Define income and expense clearly. Ask participants for examples of each from their lives.
Expense Categories
Fixed Expenses: Rent, loan payments
Variable Expenses: Groceries, utilities, transport
Discretionary Expenses: Entertainment, dining out
Describe each category and ask participants to name other items they pay for that fit each one.
Importance of Emergency Funds
• A reserve for unplanned costs (medical, repairs)
• Start small – even $10/month adds up
• Helps avoid debt when emergencies occur
Emphasize the safety of having 1–3 months of expenses saved. Relate to crisis prevention.
Using the Budget Worksheet
- List all income sources
- Record Fixed, Variable, and Discretionary expenses
- Calculate totals and Net Balance
- Set one budgeting goal
- Plan your emergency fund
Walk through each section of the Budget Worksheet. Field any questions.
Individual Budget Work Time
Complete your personal Budget Worksheet.
• List your monthly income sources
• Estimate expenses in each category
• Note your net balance and goal
Distribute the worksheet and give participants 15 minutes to work. Circulate to support.
Group Activity: Prioritize Expenses
In groups, use the Group Budget Activity Sheet.
• Rank each expense from 1 (most essential) to 8 (least)
• Prepare to share one trade-off your group made
Form groups of 3–4. Hand out the Group Activity Sheet. Allow 10 minutes, then debrief.
Game: Budgeting Jenga
Using the Budgeting Jenga Set:
• Draw a block with an expense or challenge
• Discuss how to cover or save for it in your budget
• Continue until time is up
Explain rules and distribute the Jenga set. Play for 10 minutes. Highlight learnings after.
Reflection & Discussion
- What was most challenging when budgeting?
- Which strategy felt most helpful?
- How will you apply these skills in real life?
Use prompts from the discussion guide. Encourage honest sharing and supportive feedback.
Set Your SMART Budget Goal
Make your goal:
• Specific: clear target
• Measurable: trackable
• Achievable: realistic
• Relevant: recovery-focused
• Time-bound: deadline
Example: “Reduce dining-out to $50/month; track expenses; review in 4 weeks.”
Explain each SMART element. Give 3 minutes for participants to draft their own.
Resources & Next Steps
• Keep using your Budget Worksheet
• Request financial counseling referrals
• Try online budgeting tools (apps, spreadsheets)
• Join peer-support check-ins for accountability
Point participants to ongoing support and encourage follow-up action.
Thank You
Thank you for your participation!
Remember: small, consistent budgeting steps build stability and support your recovery journey.
Thank everyone and reinforce that consistent small steps lead to financial confidence and stable recovery.
Game
Budgeting Jenga Set
How to Play: Pull a block and read the expense or savings challenge aloud. As a group, discuss how you would cover the cost or meet the savings goal within your budget. Share strategies and trade-offs before placing the block back.
Jenga Blocks (20):
- Pay $50 for an unexpected car repair
- Groceries – you overspent by $40 this month
- Utilities – find a way to reduce your bill by $20
- Transportation – bus fare increased by $10
- Phone/Internet – monthly bill of $45 is due
- Medical – prescription refill costing $30
- Entertainment – set a $25 limit this week
- Dining Out – skip one restaurant meal to save $35
- Emergency Fund – set aside $20 today
- Debt Payment – add an extra $15 toward a loan
- Subscription – cancel one service to save $12
- Clothing – budget $30 for essential items
- Gift – plan $25 for a friend’s birthday
- Home Repair – save $20 for a small fix
- Water Bill – decrease usage to save $15
- Carpool – commit to saving $10 in gas
- Bank Fee – cover a $35 overdraft charge
- Bonus Income – you receive an unexpected $50
- Side Gig – aim to earn $30 extra this week
- Savings Goal – increase monthly savings by $40
Discuss each block! Consider which expenses are must-pays, which can be reduced, and how you can build savings even when unexpected costs arise.