1. Planning and Responsibility
Life after High School, Goals, and Finances
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2. Life after High School Questions to ask yourself before graduating:
Do you know exactly what you want to be?
How can you get there?
Are you unsure of your plans?
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3. Life after High School
Regardless of what you want to be, you will likely be heading toward higher education of some kind.
For this reason, you will need to know about:
Careers
Academic preparation for college
How to pay for college
How to manage your financial life
after you graduate
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4. Be Responsible Complete your own financial aid paperwork for college.
Be in charge or have equal input in paying your bills and managing your finances.
Do thorough research before making purchasing decisions.
Have your own checking and savings accounts.
Create a personal budget.
Know how to manage your credit and credit score.
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5. Create Your Budget Savings (amount to save each month)
Fixed Expenses (typically same amount each month):
Auto, Rent, Student or Personal Loan, Utilities, and Phone
Flexible Expenses (vary each month) :
Food, Clothing, and Entertainment
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6. Manage Your Credit There are 3 reporting agencies to check your score:
Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian
Do not take out too many credit cards or loans.
Pay on time.
Pay more than the monthly amount due.
Make sure the interest rate is low and worth the
spending.
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7. Know Your Paycheck Deductions
Taxes
Insurance
Social Security
Medicaid
The amount you choose as an allowance:
Higher amount = Less taxes taken out of each paycheck, but less back at the end of the year.
Lower amount = More back at the end of the year, but more taken out of each paycheck.
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8. Set Goals Be specific - Define what you want to achieve and when.
Be realistic - Make certain your goals are attainable Setting unattainable goals will only lead to disappointment when they are not achieved.
Write them down - Keep records of your goals, and mark them off as you achieve them. Writing down goals, reviewing them, and recording your progress can motivate you.
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9. Additional Reference Texas Reality Check
Created for Texas students, teachers, and administrators by the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Education Agency.

10. Checkpoint Your “Life after High School Guide” document with
your screen shot pasted and 3 paragraphs
Be prepared to discuss your
“Life after High School Guide” findings.
Your “Be Responsible” document to be graded by your peers and discussed
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