Susan Traugh

Our last blog post helped you calculate how much money you’d save with a better credit score. We can see how important it is to have and maintain a good credit score. This information is especially important for young people with disabilities as they may be working with a tighter budget. Beginning the Lesson Read Page 110. This explains the five things credit bureaus look at when calculating your credit rating. Use the following page to analyze what steps you might take to im

Help students with special needs understand the value of a good credit score with this short lesson from Financial Literacy by Transition 2 Life and Daily Living Skills. We all know that a good credit score can save us thousands of dollars, but that might not mean anything to young people who are just started to use credit. This two-page lesson will demonstrate in clear numbers what a good credit score can provide. Beginning the Lesson Pass out the worksheet. As you do, expla

While we all may dream of an ocean cruise or hiking trip through some distant destination, our budget may have other plans. Helping students with special needs plan realistic vacation goals is an important adult living skill. Help students plan a summer vacation activity with this handy lesson. According to Business Insider, the average American spends between approximately $1900 and $4000 on a summer vacation. This budget might be a push for our students living on SSI or SSD

Getting your password hacked is a pain. And it could end up being very expensive. Teach teens with special needs how to protect their passwords with this lesson from Financial Literacy by Daily Living Skills. Beginning the Lesson The Problem. Between 800,000 and 1 million people get their password hacked every day. Bad actors launch over 50 million attempts to hack accounts every day. And approximately 38% of us get hacked in our lifetimes—mostly the 65% of us who use the sam

With summer right around the corner, it’s a perfect time to help teens learn some basic outdoor chores that will help them transition into adult life with useful skills. By helping teens learn responsible adulting skills, we can help them find satisfaction and, even joy, in the great outdoors. Helping Teens Be Helpful Whether your students will eventually share responsibilities in a group home, live in an apartment with a small common area, or have their own home, basic g

Help students learn to budget for parties and other social events with this budget comparison lesson. Staying within a budget can be difficult for students with special needs. By using a budget planner before they grocery shop, students have a better idea of what they can afford. Here, students compare similar menus with hot dogs or hamburgers—traditional 4th of July offerings to see which menu would better fit their finances. Beginning the Lesson Prepare ahead. We’re beginni

June is a perfect month to introduce students to fruits and veggies. In fact, June is National Fresh Fruits and Veggies Month! Help students create a cookbook of imaginative recipes for Avocado Toast and other simple breakfast and snack recipes using the abundance of summer fruits and veggies with the lesson and template provided here. Making Avocado Toast Millennials are gravitating towards Avocado Toast. This simple, yet nutritious combination can be eaten for breakfast

As young people transition into adulthood, they begin to want big-ticket items to create their dream life. Especially when students have special needs, it can be difficult to understand what it takes to budget and save for high priced items. Help students understand how to set a goal and save for it with this financial lesson from Daily Living Skills, “Paying for My Life Goals.” Beginning the Lesson Brainstorm “Wants.” Help students list the kinds of big wants they desire for

Just in time for Father’s Day, June is “Hygiene for Guys Month.” As teen guys’ bodies change, it is important to know how to keep clean and presentable. Teen guys often need guidance in personal hygiene to help them cope with the changes that happen to their bodies during adolescence. “Hygiene for Guys Month” is a perfect time to help teen boys develop a system of personal hygiene that will allow them to be healthy and socially acceptable. Basic Skills in Hygiene for Guys

Summer is a time when teens are eager to hit the road and ride to new adventures during their time off. New graduates can’t wait to test their new-found independence. Help teens (and teens with special needs) understand how they can save on auto insurance and be safer and more responsible on the road with this Daily Living Skills lesson. Introducing the Lesson Time It Out Sit in silence. Then, every 14 seconds…ring a bell, clap your hands, slam down a book…depending on your s