Part 1

As a homeschool mom, I'm always open to practical learning experiences. The following is the background to a month-long challenge I've created for my daughters.

Conversation in the check-out line at the grocery store between three 18-19'ish year old college girls as the checker is scanning their items:

Girl 1: I'm worried we bought too much stuff. We should've made a list or something.

Girl 2: Nah. We need it all! If we don't have enough money, I've got a credit card I think has about $100 left on it. This won't total more than that....right?

Girl 3: Kylene! You promised you wouldn't use that card because we have to put part of the rent on it in two weeks!

Girl 2: Well, then what are we supposed to do?? Put some of this back? You know you don't wanna do that anymore than I do!

Checker: That'll be $276.94.

I spend the next 10-15 minutes watching the girls argue over what to keep and what to put back. I could have moved to another check-out line, but I had one of my daughters with me and I thought this could prove educational, so we patiently waited and watched.

Milk? Necessary to two, but the third is allergic. Majority wins. Tampons? No debate, those are keepers. Cute lamp with fringe-y shade? Girl with credit card wants it and that's that. Lawn chairs? The girls decide their friends who come for the party tonight will need somewhere to sit, so they keep all eight. Girl 2 reasons that if her mom and dad had furnished their apartment as expected, this wouldn't be an issue. She plans to send another nasty email to dad when she gets home, hoping he'll re-imburse them for the chair expense. In the end, 3 things were taken off - an economy size box of popcorn, a little wastebasket with brightly colored fish on it, and a purse the size of Wisconsin.

New total: $248.13.

The girls pooled their money and their buddy's credit card and loaded their basket, agreeing to focus on tonight's party and worrying about rent and utilities later. "Something will work out," they agreed as they left with their loot.

Week One of the Challenge coming tomorrow.