Lesson
Debt Traps & Repayment
Summary
Borrowing 'just a little' at 400% APR can wreck a budget faster than any credit card. This lesson exposes predatory debt traps and equips students with two proven debt repayment strategies—snowball and avalanche.
Bellringer: 400% Interest
- Display payday loan APR scenario.
- Quick pair-share: would you take this loan?
Instruction
- Define predatory loans—payday, title, rent-to-own.
- Teach snowball vs. avalanche strategies.
Discussion: Debt Slayer
- Teams order Marcus & Jess debts by snowball and avalanche.
- Reveal solutions, then repeat with Leo & Elena.
Activity: How to Manage Your Debt
- Students read the article.
- Answer comprehension questions.
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- What makes a loan predatory?
- When does the debt avalanche method save more money than the debt snowball?
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Bellringer: 400% Interest |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 15 min | Discussion: Debt Slayer |
|
| 10 min | Activity: How to Manage Your Debt |
|
| 5 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
How to Manage Your Debt: Strategies & Tools
Debt is a complex issue and solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Discover how to start managing your debt with these tips and tools.
Class Presentation
Includes a 20-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 6: Credit & Debt
Protecting Your Credit
Your credit score isn't damaged by what you spend—it's damaged by how you handle what you owe. This lesson explores how utilization, payment history, and identity theft shape credit health, and what students can do today to protect tomorrow's score.
Debt Traps & Repayment
Borrowing 'just a little' at 400% APR can wreck a budget faster than any credit card. This lesson exposes predatory debt traps and equips students with two proven debt repayment strategies—snowball and avalanche.
Solving Financial Crises
Financial crises don't announce themselves—they ambush you mid-month with a busted transmission or a surprise medical bill. This lesson equips students with a problem-solving framework and concrete safeguards to weather emergencies without spiraling into debt.
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