Lesson
Emergency Funds & Liquidity
Summary
An emergency fund is the primary defense against debt. This lesson explores how to calculate emergency fund targets, define liquidity, and distinguish emergencies from emotional wants.
Bellringer: Is This an Emergency?
- Share the destination wedding scenario and give students a change to respond
Instruction
- Define true emergencies using the unexpected + necessary framework
- Explain the debt cycle and how emergency funds act as self-insurance
- Introduce the 3–6 month rule and liquidity concept across multiple slides
Activity: Life Scenarios
- Students complete the Life Scenarios simulation and take the posttest
Discussion: The Emergency Audit
- Conduct rapid-fire Yes/No vote on four spending scenarios
- Debrief why emotional wants feel urgent but aren't emergencies
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- Review how an emergency fund is calculated and its difference from a sinking fund
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Bellringer: Is This an Emergency? |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 20 min | Activity: Life Scenarios |
|
| 5 min | Discussion: The Emergency Audit |
|
| 5 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
50/30/20 Budgeting
Students learn the 50/30/20 rule for dividing income.
Class Presentation
Includes a 15-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 4: Budgeting
Major Expenses
Most people underestimate housing and transportation costs, but together they can consume 70% of an adult's budget. This lesson breaks down upfront and ongoing costs of renting, total cost of car ownership, and trade-offs that define financial stability.
Emergency Funds & Liquidity
An emergency fund is the primary defense against debt. This lesson explores how to calculate emergency fund targets, define liquidity, and distinguish emergencies from emotional wants.
Irregular Expenses
Some expenses feel like an emergency, but they are actually just irregular. Explore how sinking funds turn predictable irregular expenses into painless monthly line items, and practice the math that makes it work.
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