Fixed and Variable Costs – Introducing a Budget

What’s the difference between fixed and variable costs? What are some examples?

Fixed Expenses every month – don’t change (except to go up occasionally) – Rent, college loans, most bills

Variable Expenses Change depending on inputs (your spending habits) – Gas bill, gasoline, food, luxuries, some cellphone plans

How can you make sure that you have enough to pay your bills (and live your life as you’d like to) each month? Google image for “living the good life”

Build a budget! Budget - a plan for your spending. 1.Determine your income 2.Estimate Required Expenses. 3.Estimate Discretionary Expenses 4.Follow the plan! (spend accordingly)

Example of a Teen Budget See – “9 - Sample Budget for Teens”(page 2) or look at the main board

With neighbors – MAKE A LIST: What are some things that ADULTS (like a family with small children) would need to budget for that teenagers don't have to.

Adult Budgets (consumer expenditures 2009)

Look at an example adult budget Open up “9a - the Pender Budget”