Cash Clash Worksheet
Name: Date: Class:
Financial Literacy Workshop
Cash Clash: High School Budget Battle
Target Skill
Weekly Budgeting & Needs vs. Wants
INCOME Money you earn or receive from work or gifts.
EXPENSE Money you spend to buy things or pay bills.
NEED Something necessary to live, learn, or work safely.
WANT Something nice to have that you can live without.
Meet Marcus and Chloe: Two Different Spending Styles
Marcus and Chloe are 10th graders at Oak Creek High School. Both students have part-time jobs after school and earn their own weekly paycheck. However, they manage their money very differently! Marcus wants to buy a reliable laptop for his digital art class by the end of the semester. Chloe loves hanging out at trendy cafes, buying thrifty fashion, and ordering delivery snacks after track practice. Read each student's weekly financial report below.
Student A
Marcus (10th Grade)
Weekly Income $150.00
Works 10 hours/week as a grocery store stocker.
| Weekly Expense Item | Type | Cost |
|---|
| Gas to drive to school & work | Need | $25 |
| School cafeteria lunches | Need | $35 |
| Family car insurance share | Need | $20 |
| Movie ticket or video game | Want | $30 |
Laptop Goal: Deposits extra cash into a savings jar
Student B
Chloe (10th Grade)
Weekly Income $120.00
Babysits neighborhood children 8 hours/week.
| Weekly Expense Item | Type | Cost |
|---|
| City bus pass for school | Need | $20 |
| Iced matcha & boba tea | Want | $25 |
| Take-out fast food & fries | Want | $30 |
| Thrift shop jacket & jewelry | Want | $40 |
| Music & video streaming apps | Want | $15 |
Savings Goal: None currently planned
1
Reading Warm-Up: True or False?
(Circle T or F)
a. Marcus earns more money per week than Chloe. T / F
b. Chloe's bus pass is an example of a "Want." T / F
c. Marcus spends money on his family's car insurance. T / F
d. Chloe has more "Want" expenses than Marcus. T / F
Page 2: Student Analysis
Weekly Budget Calculations & Review
Oak Creek High • Personal Finance Lab
2
Calculate the Weekly Totals
Add up each student's weekly numbers.
| Budget Category | Marcus (Student A) | Chloe (Student B) |
|---|
| Total Weekly Income | $150.00 | $120.00 |
| Total Spent on NEEDS | | |
| Total Spent on WANTS | | |
| Total Weekly Expenses (Needs + Wants) | | |
| Money Left Over (Income minus Total Expenses) | | |
3
Comparison Questions
Circle the letter of the best answer.
A. Which student spent MORE money on things they do NOT strictly need ("Wants")?
A) Marcus (Spent $30 on wants) B) Chloe (Spent $110 on wants)
B. What is happening to Chloe's money at the end of every week?
A) She saves $10 into her piggy bank. B) She is overspending and short by $10.
C. If Marcus saves his extra money every week, how much will he save in 4 weeks for his laptop?
A) $80 B) $120 C) $160
4
Be a Budget Doctor: Short Answer Advice
a. Name one specific item Chloe could stop buying or spend less on so she does not run out of money:
b. If Chloe completely cuts out her thrift shopping expense ($40), how much money will she have left over each week to start saving? (Show your math):
c. Why is having a specific goal (like Marcus's laptop) helpful when trying to stick to a weekly budget?
Key takeaway: A balanced budget ensures income is greater than or equal to total expenses. Total Score: ____ / 25
Cash Clash Answer Key
Oak Creek High • Personal Finance Lab TEACHER ANSWER KEY
Cash Clash: Budget Battle — Master Key
Quick-grading solutions, exact calculations, and student response rubrics.
Total Score 25 Points
1
Page 1 Warm-Up: True or False (4 Points — 1 pt each)
Reading comprehension check
T a. Marcus ($150) earns more than Chloe ($120).
F b. Chloe's bus pass is a Need for school transit.
T c. Marcus pays $20/week toward family car insurance.
T d. Chloe has 4 wants ($110) vs. Marcus who has 1 ($30).
2
Weekly Totals Ledger (8 Points — 1 pt per cell)
Exact Arithmetic
| Budget Category | Marcus (Student A) | Chloe (Student B) |
|---|
| Total Weekly Income | $150.00 | $120.00 |
| Total Spent on NEEDS | $80.00 ($25+$35+$20) | $20.00 (Bus pass) |
| Total Spent on WANTS | $30.00 (Movie/game) | $110.00 ($25+$30+$40+$15) |
| Total Weekly Expenses | $110.00 ($80+$30) | $130.00 ($20+$110) |
| Money Left Over (Net) | +$40.00 SURPLUS (Saved) | -$10.00 DEFICIT (Short) |
3
Comparison Questions (6 Points — 2 pts each)
Question A: B
Chloe spent $110 on wants; Marcus spent only $30.
Question B: B
Chloe spends $130 with $120 income; over budget by $10.
Question C: C
$40 saved/wk × 4 weeks = $160.00 toward laptop.
4
Budget Advice Short Answers (7 Points Total)
Grading Guidelines
a. Item Chloe could cut (2 pts): Accept thrift clothes ($40), fast food ($30), boba/matcha ($25), or streaming apps ($15). Do NOT accept bus pass (Need).
b. Math if thrift clothes ($40) cut (3 pts): New expenses = $130 - $40 = $90. New balance = $120 - $90 = +$30 saved per week. (Full credit if student writes $30 or shows steps).
c. Value of a savings goal (2 pts): Having a clear goal motivates self-discipline, prevents impulse spending, and gives meaning to saving money each week.
Teacher Coaching Tip (5th Grade Differentiation):