Life on Minimum Wage
A simulation created by Richard Byrne - FreeTech4Teachers.com
The goals of this game are up to you. The first person to reach all of their goals wins (or do they?).
In order to reach your goals you must work hard. By working hard and being careful with your money, you can reach your goals.
Rules:
1. You must identify your goals before the game begins. Everyone needs at least five goals.
2. Everyone will be randomly assigned to a job that pays minimum wage.
3. In order to earn money you need to complete the requirements on your task card. When you complete those requirements you will be paid.
4. You can work more than one job, but you have to complete all of the requirements of your assigned job first.
5. You can not work any more than 39.9 hours at any one job.
6. You must pay all of your bills including Taxes, Food & Beverages, Rent, Utilities, and "surprise bills" before spending your money on any of your goal items.
7. You cannot steal money. If you steal you will be sent to jail and disqualified from the game.
Goal Choices
Goal: 54" Big screen TV $1650 | Goal: XBox 360 - $300 | Goal: Movies and Dinner for Two $65 | Goal: Cable and Internet access $100/month for 12 months =$1200 |
Goal: iPhone with required data plan. $400 + $1200 for year's worth of calling and web access. | Goal: Energy drinks every day for a month. $120 | Goal: Used Snowmobile $2500 | Goal: Disney World Vacation = $1200 |
Goal: Cell phone with standard calling plan. $50/month for 12 months = $600 | Goal: iPod Nano $150 | Goal: Attend Community College $2500 semester. | Goal: Guided fishing trip in Canada = $2000 |
Goal: Used Car. $1200 down payment. | Goal: Browning Rifle $800 | Goal: Laptop Computer $700 | Goal: 27" Television $350 |
Job Options
Create Paper Airplane 1 Airplane = 1 hour of work | Stuff Envelopes with 1 Index Card 1 Envelope = 1 hour of work | Label Maps of the United States 1 Labeled Map = 1 hour of work |
Fly paper airplanes 1 Airplane flown 15feet = 1 hour of work | Unstuff envelopes and sort cards by color. 1 unstuffed envelope = 1 hour of work | Cut out the states from labeled maps. 1 Cut up map = 1 hour of work |
Required Bills
Rent (heat included) $175/week | Food & Beverages $50/week per person | Taxes 25% of paycheck |
Electricity $75/ month | Transportation (public transit or gas money for friend with a car) $25/week | Clothing & Shoes $60/ month |
Surprise Cards
Surprise! You just had a baby. Congratulations! What's that, you don't have health insurance? Pay $100/month for 6 years. | Surprise! You got stopped for speeding on your way to work. Pay $200 fine | Surprise! Congratulations on reaching your goal of buying a car. Pay$150/month for insurance. |
Surprise! You've contracted the flu. Miss three days of work and go to the health clinic. Forfeit 24 hours of pay + $150 for health clinic visit. | Surprise! Your employer has cut your hours to 20 hours/wk for the next month. | Surprise! Oil prices spike. To pay for the heat your landlord raises the rent $25/hr. |
Surprise! Your sister has a baby boy. Buy your new nephew some cute outfits. Pay $30 | Surprise! Your roommate forgot to pay the cable bill. Pay a $50 reconnection fee. | Surprise! The person who has been giving you a ride to work is sick and can't drive you. Take a taxi to work for a week. Pay $100 |
Surprise! You mixed colors in the washing machine. All of your white clothes are now pink. Wear pink or replace all of your white clothing. Pay $100 | Surprise! Babies are expensive. Pay an extra $50/week for food and diapers. | Surprise! You just got married and your new spouse has moved in. Pay an extra $50/month rent and increase utility bills by 20% |
Wage Cards
10 hours of work = $75 $75 | 10 hours of work = $75 $75 | 10 hours of work = $75 $75 | 10 hours of work = $75 $75 |
10 hours of work = $75 $75 | 10 hours of work = $75 $75 | 10 hours of work = $75 $75 | 10 hours of work = $75 $75 |
5 hours of work = $37.50 $37.50 | 5 hours of work = $37.50 $37.50 | 5 hours of work = $37.50 $37.50 | 5 hours of work = $37.50 $37.50 |
1 hour of work = $7.50 $7.50 | 1 hour of work = $7.50 $7.50 | 1 hour of work = $7.50 $7.50 | 1 hour of work = $7.50 $7.50 |