$________
Sale Price (Subtotal)
$50.00 - Discount
$________
8% Sales Tax
Sale Price × 0.08
$________
Register Total
Sale Price + Tax
$________
7. Sport Wireless Headphones — Regular Price: $75.00 | Deal: 30% OFF Tax: 8% on subtotal
Discount Amount
$75.00 × 0.30
$________
Sale Price (Subtotal)
$75.00 - Discount
$________
8% Sales Tax
Sale Price × 0.08
$________
Register Total
Sale Price + Tax
$________
8. Thermal Winter Jacket — Regular Price: $120.00 | Deal: 25% OFF Tax: 8% on subtotal
Discount Amount
$120.00 × 0.25
$________
Sale Price (Subtotal)
$120.00 - Discount
$________
8% Sales Tax
Sale Price × 0.08
$________
Register Total
Sale Price + Tax
$________
9. Wireless Gaming Mouse — Regular Price: $45.00 | Deal: 40% OFF Tax: 8% on subtotal
Discount Amount
$45.00 × 0.40
$________
Sale Price (Subtotal)
$45.00 - Discount
$________
8% Sales Tax
Sale Price × 0.08
$________
Register Total
Sale Price + Tax
$________
Mental Math Power Sprint: 10% Benchmark Strategy
Calculate mentally without vertical long division!
10. 10% of $64.00
Move decimal 1 spot left:
$________
11. 20% of $35.00
10% is $3.50, then double it:
$________
12. 15% Tip on $80.00
10% ($8.00) + 5% ($4.00):
$________
Page 2 of 4 • Continue to Page 3 for the $50 Dinner Party Budget Mission
Part 3
Spending Limit: $50.00 MAX
Host a 4-person meal! Choose: 1 Protein, 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, and 1 Dessert/Beverage. Tableware incurs 8% sales tax; grocery food is tax-free.
Corner Mart Supermarket Aisle Directory * Only paper tableware is taxable at 8%
Proteins
• Chicken Cutlets: $12.00
[Coupon: 25% Off]
• Fresh Salmon: $16.50
• Organic Tofu (2 pk): $6.00
Starches
• Garlic Pasta (2 bx): $3.50
• Jasmine Rice (5 lb): $5.00
[Sale: $1.00 Off]
• Russet Potatoes (5 lb): $4.25
Vegetables
• Green Salad Kit: $4.00
• Fresh Broccoli (2 lb): $3.60
• Asparagus Spears: $4.50
Dessert & Table
• Ice Cream Tub: $5.00
• Fresh Berry Pie: $7.00
[Coupon: 20% Off]
• Party Plates/Cups: $3.00*
| # | Item Name | Category | Reg. Price | Discount / Deal | Final Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Protein | $ | $ | ||
| 2 | Starch | $ | $ | ||
| 3 | Vegetable | $ | $ | ||
| 4 | Dessert / Drink | $ | $ | ||
| 5 | Tableware / Extra | $ | $ |
Subtotal (Items 1-5)
$____________
8% Tax (Tableware only)
$____________
Final Total Spent
$____________
Remaining Cash ($50 - Total)
$____________
Problem 13
An unexpected 5th guest joins your dinner party! Look at your remaining cash above. Can your budget afford adding a second package of Starches ($3.50 pasta or $4.00 rice) or a second Veggie ($3.60 broccoli) without passing $50.00? Show your new total below:
Selected Addition & Cost:
New Grand Total & Remaining Balance:
Page 3 of 4 • Continue to Page 4 for Deal Showdowns & Consumer Reflection Prompts
Part 4 & 5
Critical Thinking & Consumer Literacy
14. Deal Showdown: BOGO 50% Off vs. 30% Off Everything Buying two hoodies ($40.00 each = $80.00 regular)
Store A: Buy 1 at $40, Get 1 at 50% Off
Work: $40.00 + ($40.00 × 0.50) =
$________
Store B: 30% Off Total Purchase ($80.00)
Work: $80.00 × 0.70 =
$________
Better Deal:
Store ____
15. Coupon Strategy: $15 Off Coupon vs. 20% Off Coupon Which coupon saves more money at each purchase amount?
Case 1: Total Cart is $60.00
$15 Off pays $45.00 | 20% Off ($60 × 0.80) pays: $________
Best Coupon for $60 cart: ____________________
Case 2: Total Cart is $100.00
$15 Off pays $85.00 | 20% Off ($100 × 0.80) pays: $________
Best Coupon for $100 cart: ____________________
16. The Bulk Spoilage Trap
A family buys a 1-gallon jug of milk (128 oz) for $3.60 (unit rate: $0.028/oz) instead of two half-gallon jugs (64 oz each at $2.10 = $4.20). However, 1/4 of the gallon spoils and is thrown out.
Milk actually consumed: 128 oz × 0.75 = 96 oz.
True cost per consumed oz: $3.60 ÷ 96 oz = $________
Was bulk still cheaper than half-gallons? [ YES / NO ]
Part 5
17. Store brand pasta sauce is $1.25, while a famous brand name sauce is $2.75. Under what circumstances does it make sense to pay more for the brand name, and when should you stick to the store brand?
18. Why is it dangerous financial practice to spend 100% of your available budget limit when shopping in real life? What unexpected variables can arise?
Page 4 of 4 • Smart Shopper Challenge Complete • Congratulations on mastering consumer math!
Expected insight: Food spoilage, storage limitations, or tying up cash needed for essentials. Bulk buying is only a saving if you consume it before expiration!
Discussion 2 (Tax & Budgeting): "Why are grocery foods often tax-free while school supplies and paper products are taxed?"
Expected insight: Essential human necessities (unprepared food) are protected from regressive taxation in many states to ease financial burden on families.
Support / Intervention
Extension / Challenge
| Criteria | Proficient (4) | Approaching (3) | Developing (1-2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Rate Accuracy | All 3 unit prices correctly calculated and rounded to nearest cent. | 2 of 3 accurate; minor rounding or decimal place slip. | Inverted numerator/denominator or incomplete work. |
| Discounts & Tax | Correct discount, subtotal, and 8% tax on both sprint problems. | Correct discount but computed tax on original price. | Multiple calculation errors or omitted tax step. |
| Budget Discipline | Cart meets all 4 food groups and strictly remains \(\le \$50.00\). | Meets food categories but overspent by \(\le \$3.00\). | Exceeded $50.00 budget or missed required food groups. |
| Economic Reasoning | Justifies purchasing trade-offs with realistic financial logic. | Identifies basic reasons but lacks depth or practical examples. | Brief or unsupported answers to reflection questions. |
Smart Shopper Educator Guide • Page 2 of 2
12. 15% Tip on $80.00
$12.00
10% is $8.00 + 5% is $4.00 = $12.00
Smart Shopper Answer Key • Page 1 of 2 • Continue to Page 2 for Budget & Strategic Showdown Solutions
Part 3, 4, 5
Problems 13–18 Solution Guide • Page 2 of 2
Part 3: Budget Mission & Surprise Guest Twist (Problem 13) Standard Cap: $50.00
Exemplar Balanced Cart:
Total Spent: $25.44 Change: $24.56
13. Surprise 5th Guest Twist:
With $24.56 remaining, students have ample headroom to feed a 5th guest.
• Add Garlic Pasta ($3.50): New Total = $28.94 (Change: $21.06)
• Add Extra Broccoli ($3.60): New Total = $29.04 (Change: $20.96)
Accept any valid addition under budget that ensures sufficient food portions.
Part 4: Deal Showdown Solutions (Problems 14–16) Consumer Decision Math
14. BOGO 50% vs. 30% Off (Two $40 Hoodies = $80 total) Store B is $4 Cheaper
Store A: $40 + ($40 × 0.50) = $40 + $20 = $60.00 (effective 25% off)
Store B: $80 × 0.70 = $56.00 (effective 30% off). Store B saves $4.00 more!
15. $15 Off Coupon vs. 20% Off Coupon Crossover point is $75.00
$60 Cart: $15 off pays $45.00. 20% off saves $12 (pays $48.00).
Winner: $15 Off saves $3 more
$100 Cart: $15 off pays $85.00. 20% off saves $20 (pays $80.00).
Winner: 20% Off saves $5 more
16. The Bulk Spoilage Trap (1 Gallon vs. 2 Half-Gallons) Answer: NO
Milk consumed: 128 oz × 0.75 = 96 oz. Cost per consumed oz: $3.60 ÷ 96 = $0.0375 / oz.
Half-gallon unit rate was $0.0328 / oz ($2.10 ÷ 64). Since $0.0375 > $0.0328, buying bulk was more expensive due to waste!
Part 5: Savvy Consumer Reflection Rubric & Model Answers 2 pts each
17. Store Brand ($1.25) vs. Name Brand ($2.75)
Model Student Response: "It makes sense to pay extra for name brand if a family member has specific dietary allergies, or if a recipe requires a distinct flavor that store brands don't match. Otherwise, for everyday meals, switching to the store brand cuts the sauce budget by more than 50% without noticeable difference."
18. Danger of Spending 100% of Available Budget
Model Student Response: "Spending down to the exact last cent leaves zero safety margin. In real life, unexpected sales taxes, unannounced price changes, scanning errors, bag fees, or needing bus/gas money to return home can cause you to be short at the register or stranded."
Smart Shopper Answer Key • Complete 18-Problem Master Suite • All solutions mathematically verified
