DFW Cash Course Slides
Unit 1, Lesson 2: Personal Financial Literacy Irving & Dallas ISD Senior Edition
DFW Cash Course
Let's keep it real. Today we are looking at real Dallas living costs, defining what wealth means to you, and planning your very first financial goal.
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
Lesson Duration: 50 Mins Core
Bellringer Challenge
10:00 TIMER
To-Do List (Do This First!)
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- Grab your spiral notebook from the class tray.
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- Check the paper tray for today's handout worksheet.
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- Check the Turn-It-In Bin for any returned graded papers.
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- In your spiral, label today's entry: Unit 1, Lesson 2.
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- Update your Expense Tracker from Lesson 1.
Spiral Writing Prompt
What does being "wealthy" mean to YOU?
Wealth doesn't just mean "super rich." It can mean having enough for your needs, having choices, helping your family, or just living without money stress.
Use this sentence starter in your spiral:
"To me, being wealthy means..."
Write your entry quietly in your spiral notebook. Step 1 of 9
What is Wealth? (Keep It Simple)
Wealth = Options & Security
It's not what you make.
It's what you keep.
Example A: The Big Earner (Broke)
Alex makes $3,000/month as an apprentice but spends every single dollar on new shoes, dining out, and car bills. Alex has $0 saved. One flat tire means an emergency.
Example B: The Saver (Wealthy)
Jordan makes $2,000/month at an entry job, spends $1,700, and saves $300. Jordan has $1,500 saved. Jordan has choices, security, and room to breathe.
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING
Write this short scenario check in your spiral:
You have $500 saved up. Your car suddenly needs a $300 repair to get you to your job. How could having money saved give you more choices or less stress?
Sentence Stem:
"Having money saved would give me more choices because..."
3:00 TIMER
Write your 1-2 sentence response directly below your bellringer.
DFW Budget Battles
5:00 TIMER
The Rules of the
Budget Battle
How much does basic post-graduation survival in the DFW area actually cost? Work with your group to guess the real monthly prices.
STRICT RULE: NO PHONES ALLOWED!
If you look up the answers online, your team is instantly disqualified. Rely on your team's collective street smarts.
Group Action Checklist:
- ✓ Form a group of 2 to 4 people (elbow partners).
- ✓ Use ONE group worksheet to record estimates.
- ✓ Discuss each item and agree on ONE single cost estimate.
- ✓ Fill in the guesses in Part 1 of your worksheet.
Get ready to lock in your estimates on the paper handout!
Choose Your Teams' Guesses!
Lock in your answers on Part 1 of the sheet!
A DFW 1-Bed Apartment Rent
Average rent for a single bedroom in our area is closest to...
$850/mo
$1,450/mo
$2,100/mo
B Reliable 5-Year-Old Used Sedan
Total cash purchase price (including title, tax) is closest to...
$8,500
$16,500
$24,500
C Monthly Teen Car Insurance
Average full coverage insurance for an 18-year-old in DFW...
$75/mo
$120/mo
$220/mo
D Welding Tools or Nail Tech License
Cost of professional startup tool kit / vocational license is closest to...
$450
$1,200
$3,000
When time runs out, we reveal the actual local averages!
Actual Local DFW Averages
2:00 TIMER
The Real DFW Cost Board
A. 1-Bedroom Apartment: ~$1,450 / month
B. Reliable Used Sedan: ~$16,500 total
C. Teen Car Insurance: ~$220 / month
D. Trade Tools/Nail Tech License: ~$1,200 total
Spiral Check for Understanding
Write down your reaction!
In your spiral notebook, answer this quick question in 1 or 2 sentences:
Which cost surprised you the most? Why?
"The cost that surprised me most was ________ because..."
Fill in the "Actual Cost" column on your worksheet too!
Goal Types: Timelines for Success
Class Goals
1
Short-Term
Takes less than 1 year to complete.
Example: Saving up $150 to buy a new phone or concert ticket next month.
2
Intermediate-Term
Takes 1 to 5 years to complete.
Example: Saving $4,000 for a used car down payment or trade school tools.
3
Long-Term
Takes more than 5 years to complete.
Example: Saving money to move into your own home or starting a business.
Get ready for an interactive 1-2-3 finger vote!
Interactive 1-2-3 Finger Vote!
Show Your Fingers!
Hold up Fingers to Vote:
1 Short-Term Goal (under 1 Year)
2 Intermediate-Term Goal (1-5 Years)
3 Long-Term Goal (over 5 Years)
What Type of Goal Is This?
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Scenario 1:
"Buying your own specialized welding kit or nail tech starter tools in 8 months."
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Scenario 2:
"Saving enough for a first apartment security deposit and first month's rent in 2 years."
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Scenario 3:
"Saving to buy a phone cash by next month."
Get ready for a quick spiral goal application on the next slide!
Spiral Application: Your Turn
3:00 TIMER
Write in your spiral
Write ONE real financial goal you actually have.
It doesn't have to be massive. It can be for next week or 3 years from now. Label it clearly as Short-Term, Intermediate-Term, or Long-Term.
Example Spiral Format:
"Goal: Buy a reliable used truck (Intermediate-Term)."
Write quickly and honestly. No grades for spelling here!
Independent Mission: Goal Blueprint
15:00 TIMER
Handout Task (Part 3)
Choose ONE goal that actually matters to YOU.
Cool ideas to choose from:
Used Truck/Car
First Apartment
Nail-Tech License
Welding Tools
Aircraft Mechanic
Upgraded Phone
Your Checklist & Directions:
WHAT: Complete Part 3 on the back of your handout (Steps A-E).
WHERE: Write directly on your independent paper worksheet.
HOW MUCH: Fill out ONE financial goal blueprint completely.
CALCULATORS: Yes! You are encouraged to use a pocket calculator.
WHEN FINISHED: Complete Part 4 (Self-Check), then start Slide 11 Vocab.
This completed worksheet is your exit ticket and evidence of mastery today!
Lesson 2 Vocabulary Write
05:00 TIMER
Copy Definitions
into your Spiral
Open your Unit 1 Vocabulary Sheet (already glued into your spiral). Find these FOUR words and copy them and their definitions down.
These are official test concepts. Writing them by hand triggers muscle memory for the exam!
1. Wealth
Having money saved up that gives you options, security, and choices.
2. Short-Term Goal
A financial goal you want to reach in less than 1 year.
3. Intermediate-Term Goal
A financial goal you want to reach in 1 to 5 years.
4. Long-Term Goal
A financial goal you want to reach in more than 5 years.
Double-check that all four are written down before closing your notebook.
Class Dismissed: Clean Up & Exit
See you next class!
Great Work Today!
Clean up time.
Let's respect our room and prepare for a clean transition. Make sure your workspace is ready before the bell rings.
Dismissal Checklist:
- Finish your Goal Blueprint handout.
- Make sure your name is on the worksheet.
- Turn in the finished handout to the bin.
- Verify your 4 vocab words are written in your spiral.
- Place your spiral back into the class tray.
Remember to keep updating your Expense Tracker between classes! Invest in your choices.
DFW Cash Course Worksheet
DFW Cash Course
Independent Student Worksheet & Guide
Personal Financial Literacy
12th Grade | Texas TEKS C1(A)
Student Name
___________________________
Class Period
___________
Date
___________
1
Part 1: DFW Budget Battles Estimator
Instructions: Work with your group of 2-4. Discuss each item below and agree on ONE estimate. Do NOT use phones or the internet! Record your team's estimates. When your teacher reveals the actual costs, write them down.
| DFW Monthly Expense | My Guess ($) | Group Guess ($) | Actual DFW Cost ($) | Need or Want? (Why?) |
|---|
| | | | |
| A. 1-Bedroom Apartment | | | | |
Monthly rent in Dallas metro area
| | | | |
|
B. 5-Yr-Old Used Sedan
Total cash purchase price
| | | | |
|
C. Teen Car Insurance
Monthly full coverage for an 18-year-old
| | | | |
|
D. Tools or Licensing
Welding toolkit or Nail Tech license
| | | | |
2
Part 2: Defining Wealth
True wealth isn't just about stacking paper or trying to look rich. Real wealth means having options, security, and the freedom to handle emergency expenses without panic.
Reflecting on Wealth
How can building savings (instead of spending everything on "wants") help you stay secure after graduation?
Need help writing? Try this sentence starter:
"Having savings helps me stay secure after graduation because..."
Unit 1: Personal Financial Literacy Page 1 of 2 Dallas-Area Edition
DFW Goal-Setting Challenge Student Blueprint
3
Part 3: My Financial Goal Blueprint
Instructions: Choose ONE real financial goal that actually matters to YOU (like saving for a used truck, moving to your first apartment, welding tools, nail tech training, a phone upgrade, or a graduation trip). Fill in every step. You may use a calculator.
Step A: What is your financial goal?
State exactly what target item or program you want to save for (be specific!).
Step B: About how much will it cost? ($)
Estimate the total price tag (car, tools, apartment deposit, etc.).
DFW Cash Course Teacher Guide
DFW Cash Course
Teacher Instruction & Pacing Guide
Personal Financial Literacy
12th Grade | PFL TEKS C1(A)
Target Grade
12th Grade
Class Length
90 Mins (50 Core)
Active Lecture
25 Mins Max
Accommodations
Built-in
Instructional Approach (Irving/Dallas seniors)
This lesson is strictly designed for **short, 5-7 minute instructional chunks** followed by student actions (spiral writing, votes, or team estimations). It avoids formal corporate/academic terminology in favor of real-world scenarios: trade tools, first apartments, hourly pay, used vehicles, and teen car insurance.
Chronological Lesson Pacing (Core 50 Minutes)
00 - 10 Mins
(10 Mins)
Bellringer Challenge (Slide 2)
Action: Project Slide 2 instantly as students enter. Check-in checklist must be displayed. Read prompt aloud: "What does being wealthy mean to you?"
Accommodations: Point out the sentence starter: "To me, being wealthy means..."
10 - 17 Mins
(7 Mins)
Defining Wealth (Slide 3)
Action: Present Alex (high-earner but broke) vs. Jordan (saver, secure). Do not use jargon. Have students complete the 3-minute spiral scenarios check: "Having money saved would give me choices because..."
17 - 32 Mins
(15 Mins)
DFW Budget Battles group work (Slides 4 - 6)
Action: Divide students into groups of 2-4. Disallow cell phones. Groups negotiate estimates on Part 1 of the paper handout (5 mins). Project Slide 5. Reveal actual costs with Slide 6. Students write a 2-minute spiral reaction.
32 - 40 Mins
(8 Mins)
Financial Goal Types & Voting (Slides 7 - 9)
Action: Define Short-Term (<1 yr), Intermediate (1-5 yrs), and Long-Term (>5 yrs). Lead the interactive finger-voting game (Slide 8). Have students write down their own goal and label its term in their spiral (Slide 9).
40 - 50 Mins
(10 Mins)
Independent Blueprint & Vocab (Slides 10 - 12)
Action: Transition to independent goal drafting on Part 3 of the worksheet (15 mins timer). If finished early, students complete Part 4 (Self-Check) and copy the Lesson 2 vocabulary into their spirals (Slide 11).
Personal Financial Literacy Curriculum Support Page 1 of 2 Dallas-Area Region 10
