1. Developed by Heather Greenwood Virginia Cooperative Extension
This version of the Bean Game is designed for a high school or adult audience. Each group will receive 20 beans and must decide together how they will spend their beans. 1 bean = 1 box
After the groups have completed the activity, they will choose a chance card and must adjust their beans accordingly.
Developed by Heather Greenwood
Virginia Cooperative Extension

2. FOOD SAVINGS CLEANING SUPPLIES TRANSPORTATION
Cook at home, dinner out once a week
Fast food lunches, dinner out once a week
Buy all meals away from home
SAVINGS
Save change in a piggy bank
Save 5% of income
Save 10% of income
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Buy at supermarket or discount store
Buy at department store
Buy new vacuum
TRANSPORTATION
Walk or bike
Use bus or subway (must live in the city)
Join a carpool
Buy a used car & pay insurance
Buy a new car & pay insurance

3. PHONE LAUNDRY FURNITURE CLOTHES No Phone Do laundry at mom/dad’s
Local calls only
Local and long
distance calls
LAUNDRY
Do laundry at mom/dad’s
Use the Laundromat
Purchase washer
and dryer
FURNITURE
Borrow from friends or relatives
Buy at yard sales and thrift stores
Buy new furniture
CLOTHES
Wear what you have
Buy at thrift stores and yard sales
Buy at department stores
Buy designer clothes

4. HEALTH INSURANCE CHILD CARE HOUSING FUN No health insurance
Job pays part of health insurance
Pay for insurance without help of job
CHILD CARE
Mom or dad cares for the children
Use daycare part time
Pay for full-time daycare
HOUSING
Live with family or friends
Rent an apartment or house
Buy a house
FUN
Basic cable stations
Movies
Premium cable channels
Hobbies (photography, biking, etc)
Concerts, vacations, sports

5. HOME / APARTMENT INSURANCE AUTO INSURANCE
No coverage (not option if own home)
Apartment insurance
Homeowners insurance (required of all homeowners)
AUTO INSURANCE
Pay liability only
Pay complete coverage
EDUCATION
Use local library
Newspapers and magazines
Community education classes
GED or Community College Classes
University Classes
OTHER CHOICES
Cigarettes
Alcohol
Contributions to non profit organization or church
Fitness / Gym membership
OTHER

6. PERSONAL CARE GIFTS PETS INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS
Generic products (shampoo, deodorant, makeup, etc)
Haircuts, grooming products from discount stores
Hair colored / styled, professional grooming products
GIFTS
Make your own
Buy cards and small gifts on very special occasions
Buy frequent gifts for everybody
INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS
Records, tapes, or CD clubs
Big screen TV
Top of the line stereo system
Furniture payments
Motorcycle or 4 Wheeler payments
PETS
No pets
Fish or bird
Cat or small dog
Large dog or multiple pets

7. UTILITIES Utilities for Apartment Utilities for Home
Includes: Heat, lights, water, sewer, garbage
Utilities for Apartment
Utilities for Home

8. CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD
Lose job – reduce monthly income by 7.
***If group has saved part of income, decrease by 5.
CHANCE CARD
Lose job – reduce monthly income by 7.
***If group has saved part of income, decrease by 5.
CHANCE CARD
Major accident.
If covered by health insurance, decrease by 3.
If not insured, decrease by 8.
CHANCE CARD
Major accident.
If covered by health insurance, decrease by 3.
If not insured, decrease by 8.
CHANCE CARD
Receive a gift from family members. Increase by 1 (but only for this month – this increase cannot require continued need)
CHANCE CARD
Major holiday – but you haven’t saved for it.
Reduce income this month by 8 beans for extra travel, food, and gifts.
CHANCE CARD
End of the season trip to the beach. Reduce monthly income by 5.
CHANCE CARD
Best friend gets married. Costs include travel expenses, bridesmaid dress, and gift. Reduce income this month by 6 beans.

9. CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD
Long term illness keeps family member out of work for 3 months. Reduce monthly income by 8
***If group has save part of income, decrease by 6.
CHANCE CARD
Long term illness keeps family member out of work for at least 3 months. Reduce monthly income by 8
***If group has save part of income, decrease by 6.
CHANCE CARD
Major car repairs. Reduce monthly income by 5.
CHANCE CARD
Major car repairs. Reduce monthly income by 5.
CHANCE CARD
Back to school.
Must buy new clothes – reduce by 5
CHANCE CARD
Start a new job.
Must buy new clothes – reduce by 5
CHANCE CARD
Lose job – reduce monthly income by 7.
***If group has saved part of income, decrease by 5.
CHANCE CARD
Long term illness keeps family member out of work for 3 months. Reduce monthly income by 8
***If group has save part of income, decrease by 6.

10. CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD
A new baby is born. Costs include crib, other furniture, and hospital expenses.
If insured, reduce by 5
If uninsured, reduce by 10.
CHANCE CARD
Oldest child goes away to college.
Monthly expenses to assist with housing and books increase by 4 (decrease in other areas by 4)
CHANCE CARD
Oldest child goes away to college.
Monthly expenses to assist with housing and books increase by 4 (decrease in other areas by 4)
CHANCE CARD
Long lost Uncle Oscar dies and leaves money.
Increase by 4 (only this month – do not commit for long term requirements).
CHANCE CARD
A new baby is born. Costs include crib, other furniture, and hospital expenses.
If insured, reduce by 5
If uninsured, reduce by 10.
CHANCE CARD
A new baby is born. Costs include crib, other furniture, and hospital expenses.
If insured, reduce by 5
If uninsured, reduce by 10.
CHANCE CARD
Carpet is in poor condition and you decide to recarpet.
Reduce by 5. If renting, choose another Chance Card.
CHANCE CARD
Plumbing disaster. Must call in a professional.
Reduce by 5. If renting, choose another Chance Card.

11. CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD CHANCE CARD
Flood damages clothing and furniture.
Reduce by 3 if insured with Renters/Homeowners
Reduce by 11 if not insured.
CHANCE CARD
Flood damages clothing and furniture.
Reduce by 3 if insured with Renters/Homeowners
Reduce by 11 if not insured.
CHANCE CARD
Summer Camp!!!
Reduce by 5 to pay for camp fee and equipment.
CHANCE CARD
Child’s team wins state championship and travels to the national tournament.
Reduce by 5 to pay for travel expenses and new equipment.
CHANCE CARD
Tornado hits.
Reduce by 3 if insured with Renters/Homeowners
Reduce by 11 if not insured.
CHANCE CARD
Child begins to play the violin.
Reduce by 5 to purchase the instrument, violin case, music, and first month’s lessons.
CHANCE CARD
Family weekend trip to amusement park.
Reduce by 5.
CHANCE CARD
Rescue a stray, sick puppy.
Reduce by 6 to pay for medications, vet bill, and puppy supplies.