Budgeting for Poverty

Film Focus Point: This video is an excellent complement to the “Planning a Budget” activity found in section 1 of the textbook. It shows, in real dollars, the difficulties faced by a family trying to pay the bills for essential needs and will undoubtedly foster a good discussion.

Text Focus Point: Pages 228

Discussion Questions:

1. What expenses consume the majority of the household income? Are there realistic ways to reduce these expenses?
2. What things will this family have to probably do without?
3. Beyond the economic effects, what are the psychological effects of living at the edge of poverty? How can it affect their self-esteem? Safety? Upward mobility?