The Budget Bistro Menu

Welcome to The Budget Bistro, where delicious food meets sensible spending! Choose your meal wisely to stay within your budget.

Appetizers

• Crispy Spring Rolls (2 pcs) - $6.00
• Garlic Bread with Cheese - $7.50
• Side Salad (Caesar or Garden) - $5.50
• Soup of the Day - $6.50

Main Courses

• Classic Cheeseburger with Fries - $14.00
• Chicken Alfredo Pasta - $16.50
• Veggie Stir-Fry with Rice - $13.50
• Grilled Salmon with Roasted Vegetables - $18.00
• Margherita Pizza (Individual) - $12.00

Desserts

• Chocolate Lava Cake - $7.00
• New York Cheesecake - $6.50
• Scoop of Ice Cream (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry) - $4.00

Drinks

• Soda (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite) - $3.00
• Iced Tea - $3.00
• Lemonade - $3.50
• Bottled Water - $2.50

Dinner Budget Calculation Worksheet

Your Budget: $40.00

Instructions: Use the menu to select your meal. Fill in the costs below, then calculate your total, including 8% sales tax and a 15-20% tip. Remember to stay within your $40 budget!

Your Meal Choices

Cost Calculation

1. Subtotal (sum of all prices):
   
   
   
2. Sales Tax (8% of Subtotal):
   
   
   
   Calculation: Subtotal x 0.08
3. Tip (choose 15% or 20% of Subtotal):
   
   
   
   Calculation: Subtotal x 0.15 or Subtotal x 0.20Which tip percentage did you choose?
   
   
   
4. Grand Total (Subtotal + Sales Tax + Tip):
   
   
   

Budget Check

Did your Grand Total stay within your $40.00 budget?

If not, what item(s) would you change to stay within budget?

Dinner Decision Dilemma Answer Key

This answer key provides an example solution and demonstrates the calculation process. Student answers will vary based on their menu choices.

Example Meal Choices

Example Cost Calculation

1. Subtotal (sum of all prices): $6.00 + $14.00 + $4.00 + $3.00 = $23.00

2. Sales Tax (8% of Subtotal): $23.00 x 0.08 = $1.84

3. Tip (15% of Subtotal): $23.00 x 0.15 = $3.45
   Which tip percentage did you choose? 15%

4. Grand Total (Subtotal + Sales Tax + Tip): $23.00 + $1.84 + $3.45 = $28.29

Budget Check

Did your Grand Total stay within your $40.00 budget? Yes, $28.29 is less than $40.00.

If not, what item(s) would you change to stay within budget? (Example: If the total was over $40, I might choose a less expensive main course or skip dessert.)

Teacher Script: Dinner Decision Dilemma

Introduction (5 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to tackle a real-world challenge that many of you will face sooner rather than later: budgeting for a meal out. Imagine you're going out to dinner with a friend, and you have a strict budget to stick to. No going over!"

"Take a look at the first slide of our Dinner Decision Dilemma Slide Deck."

"Our mission today is to choose a delicious meal – that's an appetizer, a main course, a dessert, and a drink – from a restaurant menu. The tricky part is, you each have a $40 budget per person, and you must account for an 8% sales tax and a 15-20% tip on your subtotal. These are real costs you encounter when dining out."

"I'm handing out two important documents: the Restaurant Menu Worksheet and the Dinner Budget Calculation Worksheet. The menu is where you'll find all your dining options and their prices, and the calculation worksheet is where you'll record your choices and do your math."

Budgeting and Selection Activity (15 minutes)

"Now, let's look at the instructions on the slide. Your task is to become a budgeting pro!"

"First, carefully review the Restaurant Menu Worksheet. Take your time to see what sounds good and what fits into your mental budget. Then, select your desired appetizer, main course, dessert, and drink."

"As you choose, record your selections and their prices on the Dinner Budget Calculation Worksheet. After you've picked everything, calculate the subtotal of your meal."

"Next, don't forget the added costs! You'll need to calculate 8% sales tax on your subtotal. Then, calculate a 15% or 20% tip on your subtotal. You can choose which percentage, but make sure to note it down. These are standard tip ranges in many restaurants."

"Finally, determine your grand total by adding the subtotal, sales tax, and tip. The crucial step: check if your grand total stayed within your $40 budget! If you went over, you'll need to adjust your order. Maybe that extra appetizer needs to go, or perhaps a different dessert?"

"I'll be walking around to answer any questions and help you with your calculations. Work individually or with a partner to make your dinner decisions."

Share and Reflect (10 minutes)

"Alright, let's bring it back together. Who would like to share their meal choices and their final calculated costs? What did you order, and how much did it all come to?"

"(Allow a few students to share, prompting them to explain their choices and totals.)"

"Now, let's discuss this experience. What strategies did you use to stay within your budget? Did anyone find it challenging to make their choices? Why or why not?"

"How important is it in real life to factor in sales tax and tip when you're budgeting for a meal out? How does this activity relate to other financial decisions you might make, like buying groceries or saving for a bigger purchase?"

"Understanding these costs is essential for managing your money effectively. Great job everyone, you've successfully navigated the Dinner Decision Dilemma!"