Requirements

Complete the REQUIRED activity first, and then choose ONE activity from EACH of the DISCOVER, CONNECT, and TAKE ACTION and YOUR OWN ACTIVITY categories. Finally complete the REFLECTION activity.

REQUIRED (This activity must be completed first. Use the Studio 2B Focus Book “Got Money?” to complete your own GSCNC Capital Currency Portfolio. Your leader or an adult should guide you through the activities and responses, but you may complete the activities individually or in small groups. Please do NOT write in the “Got Money?” book if you are using the books in the program kit!

DISCOVER Now that you have completed your Capital Currency Portfolio, you know some of the financial basics. Let’s take it to the next level!

1. Credit Card Comparison Compare the three different credit card options that are provided in your kit. Use the cheat sheet to help you determine which card would be the best deal for you. Which one would be the best choice? How could you use this card responsibly? What would the consequences be if you didn’t? Extend this activity by working with an adult to analyze some real credit card options from the mail or online to see which one would be the best choice for you.

2. Insurance Investigation The most common kind of insurance affecting teenagers is auto insurance. Read pp. 40-45 of the Studio 2B Focus Book “On the Road.” By researching online or calling some insurance agencies, find out how much insurance might cost you for your first car. Be sure to get a few estimates and compare the coverage offered.

3. Where did all of my paycheck go? You’re finally rolling in the dough, having landed a job with a salary of $33,000 a year. You get a paycheck twice a month. But wait! Your first paycheck is only for $1,090.40! That’s only $26,160 a year! Where did the rest of the money go? Look at the fine print of the paycheck in the kit. Make a chart that shows how your paycheck was divided up and where all of the money went. Some of the money went to pay taxes. Make a collage or a list of the various things your taxes are used for. (Hint: visit the IRS website if you need help.)

4. Be a stockbroker! Read pp. 12-21 of the Studio 2B Focus Book “Got Money” to learn about investing. Imagine that you have saved $2,000 that you want to invest in your future. What goals do you hope to achieve with this money? Which type of investment (or what combination of investment types) would provide you with the best way to achieve these financial goals? You are young, and you have a long time to let your money grow. Would your parents or grandparents make the same choices? Research which options would be right for you. If possible, work with an adult to invest some money today. 7

CONNECT

1. Retirement Interview a grandparent or another older person you know. Are they retired? How did they save money for their retirement? What do they wish they had done when they were your age? What can you learn from their experiences? See the gray “Retirement Interview” sheet in your take-home packet for ideas of questions to ask. Write a paragraph that reflects on what you learned in your interview.

2. Paying for College College. It will be one of the most expensive investments you will ever make. It will also be one of the most important things you can do to prepare for your future. Read section five of the Studio 2B Focus Book “College 101” (pp. 30- 35). Choose one college that you are interested in attending, and find out how much it will cost (things like tuition, room and board, books and fees will all factor in). Find out what assistance is available. Obtain a FAFSA form from a college, your high school guidance office or www.fafsa.ed.gov. (See the example in your kit). Talk with your family or a college financial aid counselor about how you might pay for college.

3. Bill It With the help of your parent or guardian, pay your household's monthly bills. This may involve writing out checks or paying online. Enter your payments into their checkbook ledger and balance the checkbook. Where you surprised at how many bills had to be paid or at how much things cost? Have a discussion with your parent or guardian about the importance of paying bills on time and having a savings plan.

4. Budget Bonanza All groups need to have budgets and manage their finances. Girl Scout troops must consider budgets when they are planning for events, trips and activities they would like to do throughout the year. Think of an event, trip or activity that you would like to do with your Girl Scout troop or another group of friends. Research all of the costs that would be involved with making this activity a reality. How will you come up with this money? Make up a budget and a money-earning plan, and share it with your troop or group.

TAKE ACTION

1. Debt Recovery When someone is in debt, it can feel like they are sinking in quicksand and cannot pull themselves out. Lend them a helping hand! Design a brochure, pamphlet or other publication that provides people with information on why they should get out of debt; how to handle their debt; and websites, organizations or people who can help them. Check out this website for ideas: www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/kneedeep.htm. If possible, find a library, community center or other location where you can distribute your publication for others to read. 8

2. Financial Possibilities Skit Using the props provided in your kit, develop a skit that illustrates two possible scenarios: one in which a smart financial decision today leads to a positive outcome in the future, and another in which a thoughtless decision leads to a negative financial outcome. Practice your skit and perform it for another group of girls.

3. Helping Hand A lack of money can cause serious hardships for people in your community and around the world. Without money, it can be difficult to meet people’s basic needs for food, shelter or healthcare. Find an organization that provides assistance to people with low incomes. Ask how you could help them, and then spend some time giving them a hand! Remember, Girl Scouts cannot raise money for other organizations, but there are plenty of other ways that you can help! Ask about collecting items they need or volunteering your time.

4. Enact the Plan Actually do the group event, trip or activity that you planned in the “#4: Budget Bonanza” Connect activity. Put your money-earning plan into action, follow your budget and make the plan a reality! This event could be anything from a dinner for your group’s parents, a workshop for others girls about troop budgeting or a weekend campout… whatever you can imagine and budget for!

YOUR OWN ACTIVITY

What could YOU do to learn more about finances, connect with other people and resources or take financial action? Choose an area of financial planning that you would like to learn more about, and design your own financial activity. What is the goal of this activity? Use the My Own Activity/Reflection sheet in your packet to help you. If you would prefer, you may choose one of the “Discover, Connect, Take Action” items that you didn’t do the first time around to use as YOUR OWN activity.

REFLECT

Talk with a parent or adult friend about what you’ve learned through Capital Currency. Think about how this IP relates to the Girl Scout Promise and Law. What skills or greater understanding have you gained that will help you throughout your life? Talk with the adult about your financial goals, and share some of your new knowledge. Ask about some of their financial frustrations or their financial advice. Choose a way to summarize your reflections: a paragraph description, a poem, a song or rap, or a drawing/painting/photograph, for example.