Let's Go Shopping, Willow!
Shopping is fun, but being a smart shopper is even better! Today, we're going on a pretend shopping adventure where you'll be in charge of the list and the budget.
Activity 1: The Wish List & The Budget
Imagine you have a special occasion coming up (like a party, a trip, or redecorating a small part of your room) or maybe you just need some specific things. Let's brainstorm!
- First, grab your paper and pencil. Let's list 5-7 things you'd like to buy or need for this imaginary occasion. Think about things like snacks, decorations, craft supplies, or maybe a new book or game.
- Now, let's be realistic! We need a budget. For this trip, your total budget is $50 (or choose another amount). Write your budget clearly at the top of your list. Will $50 be enough for everything on your wish list? Maybe we need to prioritize! Put a star next to the most important items.
Activity 2: Smart Shopper Investigation
Being a smart shopper means finding the best deals. Let's hunt for prices!
- Use the sales flyers or go to a few familiar online store websites (like Target, Walmart, Amazon, or a local grocery store).
- Look up the items on your prioritized list. Write down the price next to each item.
- Uh oh! Sometimes there are different sizes or brands. Example: One box of 8 granola bars costs $4.00, another box of 12 costs $5.50. Which is the better deal *per bar*? Let's figure it out together! (Calculate unit price: cost divided by quantity. $4.00/8 bars = $0.50/bar. $5.50 DKK/12 bars = ~$0.46/bar. The box of 12 is slightly cheaper per bar!). Do this for at least one item on your list where you can compare options.
- Adjust your list based on the prices you found. Do you need to swap any items to stay within your $50 budget?
Activity 3: The Checkout Counter
Okay, your shopping cart (your list!) is full, and you're ready to check out. Time for some math!
- Add up the prices of all the items you decided to buy. Use your pencil and paper, or a calculator if you prefer. What's the subtotal?
- (Optional Extension): Let's add sales tax! Sales tax varies, but let's pretend it's 8%. To calculate this, multiply your subtotal by 0.08. Add this amount to your subtotal to get the final cost.
- Now, imagine you pay the cashier. If your total is $42.50, and you pay with your $50 budget, how much change should you get back? Calculate the change: $50.00 - $42.50 = ?
Wrap-Up & Reflection
Great job, super shopper!
- Did you stay within your budget?
- Was it easy or hard to choose items and compare prices?
- What's one smart shopping tip you learned today that you can use next time you go shopping for real?
Maybe next time we can use real money for a small shopping trip for specific needed items!