1. Great Depression Simulation
Purpose: to simulate the human experience of people during the great depression
Objective: to analyze the degrees of economic hardships during the 1930s

2. Instructions Write color on your handout sheet Listen to each scenario
Adjust your budget according to the scenario, if necessary
If you have any questions please raise your hand, limit “talk outs”
Provide a written reflection on the impact of each scenario on your life and budget.

3. Introduction Time and Place: Seattle 1927
Temper of the times: Life is good
Demographics: 20ish, beginning your career
Outlook on Life: Optimistic, war is over, times are good

4. First Scenario 1927
Congratulations you get Married!! (add $300 to your savings!)
All those with a BLUE card have children right away – you need to make changes.
Please make necessary changes. 2 min

5. Second Scenario 1928
All of those who invested in the stock market GAINED a 50% profit!
To calculate: take the amount you invested times 1.50 to equal how much you now have.
Make necessary budget changes. 2 min

6. Third Scenario 1929 The Stock Market Crashes!!!
You lose all your invested money
Those with a savings lose 95% of their savings. To calculate multiply your savings by This is your new savings balance.
Make some decisions and recalculate.

7. Fourth Scenario 1930
The Dust Bowl hits. Farmers lose 75% of income. To calculate multiply your income by .25 – This is your new income.
Farmers, make some decisions and recalculate
Also, all produce/fruits/meat/dairy go up in price by 5 cents. Recalculate by adding 5¢ to each item.

8. Fifth Scenario 1931
People with the PINK, GREEN and ORANGE cards lose their jobs. Income is now $0.
BLUE cards, your annual wage decreases by $100.00
YELLOW cards, your annual wage decreases by $200.oo.
Make changes. Is it getting a little tougher?

9. Sixth Scenario 1931
PINK and ORANGE, you regain your job but for only ½ the pay – multiply your original pay by .5
GREEN you find another job for ¼ of your pay – multiply your original pay by .25
YELLOW you just had a child
and BLUE your spouse finds a job that brings in $8 per month
Adjust your budget.