Page 21 - AdventGuide19

MAKING CHOICES How will you invest your resources? CATEGORY 1 CANDY 2 CANDIES 3 CANDIES 4 CANDIES 5 CANDIES HOUSING HEALTHCARE FOOD (PER PERSON) TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESS LAUNDRY FACILITIES SHOPPING SPENDING MONEY Homeless; living at a homeless shelter or out of car. No health insurance, you pay for all health related costs 1 meal a day Walk or bike everywhere, no public transit available No computer, no cell phone, black & white TV, no cable Laundromat One grocery store within walking distance, no mall within 20 miles After the bills/food are paid no extra money left Living with relatives/friends and sharing expenses. Health ins for you through your employer but no health ins for your family. 2 meals a day Walk, bike or take public transit No computer, have cell phone & TV, no cable Shared laundry room in apartment complex Grocery store across the street from home and a mini-mall within a mile $20 left over each week after all bills are paid Efficiency apartment; street parking, unfurnished, no amenities. Health ins for you & your family through your employer. 3 meals a day + snacks Own your own car Home computer, cell phone & TV with cable Own washer/ dryer, in your home Two grocery stores nearby and a large mall within walking distance $50 left over each week after all bills are paid 3 bdrm, 1 bath apt; unfurnished, patio, parking, stove & refrigerator. 2 bdrm, 1 1/2 bath house: unfurn., sm fncd yrd, stove, ref. & w/d. As you and your family prepare for Christmas this Advent Season, use this activity to reflect on the difficult choices our neighbors and families are forced to make this season and often every day. If you had a “15-candy budget” to spend every month, how would you spend It? What would your priorities be? To play, place the required number of candies to indicate your spending choices. You have to make a choice for each category. You cannot skip any categories. Pretend you are married. You both work and have a 14-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter. Once you finish the game try these questions and talk about them as a family. • Some unexpected expenses occur: one of your children has strep throat and had to see the doctor. Remove 2 candies from your board • Mom was just laid off from her job. Remove 4 candies from your board. For discussion: Did you find it hard to decide what you might go without? Today, many of our family, friends and neighbors are forced to make these tough decisions every day. 19