Budgeting For The Great Depression

Name: ______

Budgeting for the Great Depression Internet Activity

Introduction

It is early 1930's. The Great Depression has hit your town hard. You and your family have been affected by many of the same problems that affected families all across America. Many families have been forced from their homes, parents have lost their jobs, and the basic necessities you took for granted a few years ago are now just a wishful memory.

Before beginning this journey back to a time of great despair and hardship in America, take a moment to read “The Great Depression: A Brief Overview” (http://www.todaysteacher.com/TheGreatDepressionWebQuest/BriefOverview.ht m). Once you have read this overview go forward on to find out your task.

Your Depression Era task is two-fold. You will complete the following tasks in this order:

1. Making use of information available, you will prepare a monthly budget for your family of four after you and your family has been forced to move in search of a job. 2. Brainstorm a list of problems which confront families today. Compare them with issues that families in America must deal with presently. Include this comparison in a short post-writing assignment.

Process

You are to complete two activities, "Budgeting", and "Follow Up".

Activity # 1 - "Budgeting" In "Budgeting" you will use a Budget Planning Sheet to create a monthly budget for your family of four which has been forced to relocate in search of job opportunities.

1. Take a look at the Occupation and Salary Chart (http://www.todaysteacher.com/TheGreatDepressionWebQuest/Occupatio nAndSalaryChart.htm) to determine what you do for a living and how much you earn each week at your new job. (Last name determines job). 2. Using the 1932 Price List (http://www.todaysteacher.com/TheGreatDepressionWebQuest/1932Price List.htm) and the Budget Planning Sheet (attached sheet), work out a monthly budget to include rent or mortgage, food, entertainment, and other needs your family may have. Your family must either buy a new or used automobile; in addition, show in the budget expenses any automobile maintenance. Remember you have had to relocate, so you may have to spend some of your family's savings to replace lost, or left behind, family possessions.

Activity # 2 – Follow - Up

Your follow-up writing assignment should be 1-2 well-developed paragraphs in length and typed (size 12, TNR font). The follow-up should include the following information:

1) Discuss the financial situation of your family…

- What would your family not be able to afford? - What items would your family need to save for in order to purchase them? How long would you have to save? - What items are necessary for your family's survival?

2) Discuss the daily life of your family…

- What clothes would your family wear? - What kind of transportation would your family be able to use? - What kind of dwelling would your family be able to afford? - What would you do if you were ill? - What would your family be able to do for fun-- go to the movies, sports, listen to the radio, etc.

3) Compare the problems confronting American families today with the concerns of American families during the Great Depression…

- How difficult was it to plan out your budget? - What might change about a family budget today? (think of specific items) - What was not included in this activity that families would also have to pay for? Name: ______Budget Planning Sheet – pg. 1

Occupation: ______Housing, Type:______

Monthly Salary:______Housing Cost per Month: ______

Subtotal ______

Food Item/Cost

______

Subtotal ______

Clothing/Cost Entertainment/Cost

______

Subtotal ______Budget Planning Sheet – pg. 2

Automobile, Type ______Cost per Month ______

Accessories & Maintenance/Cost

______

Subtotal ______

Miscellaneous/Cost

______

Subtotal ______

Total Monthly Budget ______

General list of items your family must purchase

. Cars & Accessories o A least one vehicle . Food (family of four) o Fuel & motor oil o Fruits and vegetables for a o Repair month o Some form of protein . Some form of housing (servings for a month, although you can cut back a . Furniture & Appliances little here) o At least 2 items o Miscellaneous food items o Remember, you are feeding a . Clothing & Accessories family of four for one month, o At least 2 items per person in think about what you and the family your family eats in one day, then multiple by 30.) . Entertainment o A minimum of 4 forms of . Miscellaneous items are optional entertainment