Consumer Math

In this unit, students will explore how wages are calculated and how career choices influence personal financial planning. Students will calculate annual, monthly, weekly, and hourly wages for different jobs and compare different ways people are paid, including hourly wages, salaries, commission, and piecework. They will also examine how income impacts major financial purchases and research a potential career path, including salary, education expenses, and job market considerations. 

In this unit, students will explore the financial decisions involved in housing. Students will learn how mortgages work, including down payments, monthly payments, and interest, and will calculate rental costs based on a selected career and income level. They will also compare the costs and benefits of home ownership and renting in order to make informed decisions about housing options.

In this unit, students will explore how taxes are calculated and how they impact individuals and communities. Students will compute income taxes using appropriate tax tables and develop an understanding of the tax filing process, including what it means to receive a refund or have a balance due. They will also examine how governments use revenue generated from taxes to provide services and support public needs.

In this unit, students will understand the different options for financing a car, including down payments, monthly payments, and interest; demonstrate an understanding of the costs associated with automobile ownership, including maintenance expenses and insurance; and research and present the advantages and disadvantages of buying versus leasing an automobile based on their career choice and anticipated financial circumstances.

In this unit, students will explore the importance of budgeting as a tool for managing personal finances. Students will examine the implications of cash purchases and credit card use, create spreadsheets and graphs to visualize a budget, and analyze spending patterns. They will also prepare a budget based on a given sample set in order to better understand how financial decisions affect short- and long-term goals.

In this unit, students will explore how credit cards work and how credit decisions affect financial health. Students will examine credit card payments, including finance charges, minimum payments, and interest rates, and will compute simple and compound interest using formulas and tables. They will also research and compare the pros and cons of three credit card companies and analyze how long it may take to pay off balances under a variety of scenarios.

In this unit, students will explore strategies for making informed consumer decisions and managing everyday financial transactions. Students will analyze cash purchases by considering rebates, coupons, and unit pricing, and will practice making sound decisions to protect their money. They will also learn how to use checks and a check register to record and reconcile account activity, as well as complete deposit and withdrawal slips for savings and checking accounts.

In this unit, students will explore savings and investment options as tools for building financial security. Students will learn how certificates of deposit, stocks, and bonds can be used for saving and investing. They will also participate in a stock market simulation, applying concepts such as limit orders, stop orders, and break-even points to understand how investment decisions are made.

In this unit, students will explore the financial and logistical planning involved in travel. Students will strengthen travel-related math skills by using map scales, mileage, time zones, currency exchange rates, and other travel expenses. They will also research and present a vacation plan based on specific budget criteria, applying consumer math skills to make realistic and informed travel decisions.

In this unit, students will explore connections between personal health, insurance, and financial security. Students will become familiar with health insurance and life insurance and consider how these types of insurance support financial planning. They will also complete calculations involving diet, exercise, and nutrition facts to better understand how mathematical reasoning can support healthy decision-making.