For someone whose mathematical competencies are, ahem, slightly below average, I do love some numbers: when they’re on money. More specifically, I love receiving money, preferably without having to do much work. Unfortunately, as my last name is not Kardashian, I actually have to hold down a job, stick to the family budget, and pay those pesky bills each month. Whatever’s left over after Responsibilities, my husband forces us to sock away in the kids’ college funds and/or our retirement. Whatever’s left over after Planning for the Future, my husband forces us to throw a little extra at the mortgage or car payments. Then whatever’s left over after Fiscal Accountability, is ours to play with, which is to say our daughter has outgrown her Princess Sofia undies and has requested Despicable Me minions on her little butt, our son’s soccer spikes are a size too small (fine, two sizes, but how were we to know he would grow that fast?!), and the baby is ready to start solids.
Hold me.
This is not the man I married. No, friends, the man I married was like, “Let’s go out to eat every night of the week, buy new things, and steal away on lavish vacations!” Then we had kids and one of us got smart about finances. The other one of us was too busy birthing the kids to think of budgeting–don’t judge me! I am fortunate that my husband is the financial ying to my yang; otherwise, our retirement would be spent at Ann Taylor Loft and we would be eating Ramen Noodles for breakfast.
I’m not that big of a moron when it comes to money, but I will give credit where credit is due: we have a plan for the future because of my husband’s financial tenacity; he has definitely done the legwork setting us up long term. One paycheck can go a long way, and a little bit of money in the right place can make a big difference–if you’re smart about it. Now students can learn to be smart about it. Oh, and maybe win some of the 3 MILLION DOLLARS H&R Block is giving classrooms across the country.
The H&R Block Budget Challenge is an interactive simulation competition for high school students. Teens act as recent college graduates who’ve started their first job. They receive regular paychecks and have to make decisions about cell phone plans, where to live, credit card offers, etc. They must pay their bills on time and earn points for making smart financial decisions.
The H&R Block Budget Challenge is free to play and H&R Block is offering both classroom grants and student scholarships to the winning students.
Over $3 million will be awarded in total prizes!
When teachers sign up, we get a free print kit to get us started, including a classroom poster and lesson plans. There are also videos that we can use to teach some of the financial concepts.
Check out the press release HERE, and then why not head on over to Good Morning America (impressed?) where they dedicate a segment of their show to this awesome challenge! You’ll find Erin and H&R Block CEO Bill Cobb chatting it up HERE.
Here is a link to the GMA segment from this morning:
Who is eligible: Teachers in accredited public and private schools AND home study programs. Home school students are eligible for scholarships but classes are not eligible for classroom grants.
Who can play: Students who are enrolled in school full-time, are at least 14 years old, are in grades 9 – 12, and whose teachers register their class (see below for registration link)
When to register: You have six chances! Registration closes one week before the simulation start date, so be sure to sign up before it’s too late!
Click HERE for official rules.
Click HERE to enter your classroom.
Click HERE for answers to frequently asked questions.
It’s fun.
It’s free.
And students love it.
Participants encounter real-world personal budgeting situations, problem-solving, and decision-making through an online simulation and accompanying lessons that meet national standards. With sessions October through April, teachers have six opportunities to participate.
Teachers, get to registering. Students, get to learnin’. And for the love of tax returns, share some of that cash money if you win.
We Are Teachers compensated me to write this post, but all opinions, terrible math skills, and stories are my own.
This is so cool! It’d be cooler if I were a teacher or a teen, cuz I love dolla bills, y’all!