Assignment 2: Understanding Class in the United States

Part 1: PlaySpent

Go to the Play Spent website and play through the simulation at least once.

Part 2: Develop a Budget and Living Wage estimation

 Using the resources handed out in class (and any others you might find on your own) complete your budget making worksheet (handed out in section).  While you work through your budget keep in mind the following:

 Some facts to think about…

• In 2012, 49.0 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 33.1 million adults and 15.9 million children. Reference here
• The National Poverty Level threshold in 2011 for a Family of 4 was $22,350 
• The Average cost of having your appendix removed without insurance is $9,931 – does not include emergency room visit 
• Average cost of emergency room visit with no test or scans for a minor problem is $769 - $1423  
• Average cost of emergency room visit if life threatening (not counting surgery or overnight stay in hospital), includes imaging tests $9,931 

 Part 3: Compare your estimated living wage to the one developed by the folks over at MIT 

Bring your Budget and Estimated Living Wage worksheet to class with you on Monday.  

Additional Resources for Budget Creation: 

Healthcare cost - you may use this calculator to find out how much it might cost your imaginary family to have insurance through the Affordable Care act:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/09/30/226456791/how-much-will-obamacare-cost-me-try-our-calculator