Student Registration

Are you ready for your Road Test???

What is Budget Challenge?

Simulation challenge for students to compete to manage a ‘Typical Household Budget’ in real-time.

– Uses real personal finance tools – Provides real consequences – Operates via email and Internet – Provides safe environment – Intro 2 min. video can be found on Teacher Home>Resources page.

The Road Test for Personal Finance

• • • • • Personal finance should be taken as seriously as learning to drive. No matter which state you live in, to get a driver’s license, you need to pass a written and a road test. There is a HUGE difference between knowing what a break pedal is and really knowing how to use it, at the right time, and in the correct way.

In Budget Challenge, you will learn by doing. Through trial and error you will hone your skills and demonstrate working knowledge of many fundamentals in real world situations.

Mr. Robinson added items of interest

• To keep up with the game, plan to login 2 or more times per week • There is a free mobile app • Vendor selections lock at 9 PM on January 30 th !

– Purpose of vendor selection is to evaluate products, options, trade-offs, etc.

– You MAY use all available resources (me, parents, peers, books, Internet) when making choices • Only 2 variables can change after 9 PM January 30 th : – Checking account type (only for a full monthly cycle) – 401k contribution % (for each paycheck)

How to win!

• Leaderboard score (used to determine $20,000 scholarship winners) – = 401k savings – fees/late penalties + quizzes & surveys • 1 point per dollar saved • 1 point per dollar in fees, 150 point penalty per late fee • Quizzes and surveys earn extra points • Engagement score – = logging in regularly x paying bills on time x taking weekly quizzes • Logging in regularly = within last 5 days • Paying bills on time = no late fees incurred within last 3 days • Quizzes = taking quiz • Real world ready score (used to determine $100,000 grand prize) – = Behavior + Knowledge + Skill • Behavior logs in once every 5 days, pays bills on time, attempts quizzes • Knowledge is sum of all points for correct answers • Skill is leaderboard score / half of max score

Vendor information

• Cable – must pick one option (luxury, same for everyone – hobbies, memberships, going out) • Auto insurance – make sure to look at deductibles • Auto loan – no repossession but added penalty for not paying • Cell phone – required for consistency, landline is luxury • Credit card – use for day-to-day purchases, same for everyone, between $500 $600 new charges per month, credit limit of $1,000 • Gas & Electric • Renter’s Insurance – look at coverages and details, same events happen to everyone • Rent – Bill sent on the 8 th and holidays) of every month, due 7 days later (look at weekends • Student loan • Bank – minimum balances, fees, etc.

• 401k – savings account for retirement, pre-tax for Federal purposes, cannot withdraw until 59.5 or 62.5 years old, employer match!

Student Registration Instructions

• Go to www.hrblock.BudgetChallenge.com

• Click Register

Student Registration Instructions

• Enter Class Code and Click Validate Code

Registration code

Pd. 1 – TMWIAJH Pd. 2 – UGWROPM Pd. 3 - RVTQLBS

Creating a Student Account

• Username: – 7-13 letters or numbers – no spaces – no special characters • Password: – 7-13 characters – At least one letter – At least one number – No spaces – Case-sensitive • School address auto-populates • Submit

Confirming the Student Account

• Students should open the Registration confirmation email in their Inbox.

• Check Spam folder if not found in Inbox.

• Click on

Activate and Login

link • Once re-directed to website, select

Click here to go to the next step

hyperlink

The username and password for your account will only work AFTER you click on the 2 links.

Student Home Resources during Registration

• Vendor Selection tabs • Simulation Information Packet • How to Play • Help Desk

Simulation Overview

• Scenario is the same for all students participating in same simulation • However, bill amounts and net pay amounts will vary based on: – Choices on each Vendor Tab – 401K contribution and Employer Match – Bill pay performance – Negotiation with Customer Service Selections MUST be completed by 9 PM on the start date to be eligible for the H&R Block Budget Challenge contest prizes .

Complete Vendor Selections

• Review the information online – How to play – Information packet – Vendor selections • Complete the Vendor Selections by 9 PM EST on the start date. When you have made choices on all the tabs they will all be green and that is the visual cue that your account is ready for the start of the game.

Recommendations

• Make a budget first! • Adjust it as new information arrives • Understand the product choices and trade-offs • Pay all of your bills on-time • Save as much as you can afford • Track income and expenses on the Budget and Cashflow spreadsheet

Leaderboard Score

• Evaluates 3 key dimensions: – Ability to save – Ability to avoid fees – Personal finance knowledge

Savings Fees

Starting 401K of $500 = Starting score Earn 1 pt per $1 saved into 401K.

Contribution is Federal tax exempt.

Employer match counts toward score.

Quiz / Survey

Lose 1 pt per $1 in fees.

Fees count for all vendors including bank. Lose extra 150 points for each bill not paid on time.

Score

Earn points by taking quizzes and feedback surveys available on Student Home.

Points are added to score in the evening, visible next day.

• Scores and class rankings are updated daily

What happens when the simulation starts?

• On evening of start date: – Vendor Tab choices get locked in – Welcome email and bill notifications begin – Leaderboard populates – Starting Balances awarded in checking account and 401K • The only categories that are adjustable are: – bank account type – 401K contribution %. (401K plan is not adjustable) • Paychecks direct deposited biweekly (See Vendor Selections > Job for# days until 1st paycheck)

Important:

Paycheck funds are available for use the day AFTER the deposit. See the bank page or employer page for details.

Contact Us

• For Customer Service support submit inquiries at: – Student Home > Help Desk – Teacher Home > Teacher Help Desk Upon starting simulation: • Customer service for each vendor may be contacted by clicking the link at the bottom of every Vendor Page or from Student Home>Help Desk. • Allow 1-2 business days for response

BUDGET CHALLENGE

personal finance simulation

Budget Challenge and ProperLiving are registered trademarks of ProperLiving, LLC U.S. Patent No. 8,444,418 and Patent Pending Copyright 2014 ProperLiving, LLC All Rights Reserved