Making Choices: A Digital Simulation

Many of the people being served in our community are making less than the Household Survival Budget for their family size, but more than the Federal Poverty Level. This population is called ALICE - Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE households are faced with critical choices daily regarding how to stretch their limited resources. This simulation is a brief exercise on making difficult choices and how you would decide to invest your limited resources.

Scenario:

You are a family of three: Yourself, your 14-year-old son, and your 9-year-old daughter.

You will have options worth between 1 and 3 credits for each category.

Your monthly income comes in the form of 15 credits.

HOUSING - SELECT ONE

1 Credit - One bedroom, one bath, unfurnished apartment with a stove.

2 Credits - Two-bedroom, one-bath, unfurnished apartment with a stove and refrigerator.

3 Credits - Three bedroom, 1 ½ bath, unfurnished house with a stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, fenced yard, and a two-car garage.

HEALTHCARE - SELECT ONE

1 Credit - No health insurance. You pay all health-related costs.

2 Credits - Health insurance for you with a high deductible and co-pay through your employer. No coverage for kids.

3 Credits - Health insurance for you and your kids with a high deductible and co-pay through your employer.

FOOD - SELECT ONE

1 Credit - One meal per day per person.

2 Credits - Two meals per day per person.

3 Credits - Three meals per day plus snacks for all family members.

TRANSPORTATION - SELECT ONE

1 Credit - Walk or bike. No public transit is available.

2 Credits - Walk, bike, or take public transit.

3 Credits - You own a car.

ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY- SELECT ONE

1 Credit - No computer or cell phone. No cable for B/W TV.

2 Credits - Cell phone. No computer. No cable for color TV.

3 Credits - Cell phone, computer, and cable for color TV.

ACCESS TO LAUNDRY - SELECT ONE

1 Credit - Walk to a Laundromat.

2 Credits - Access to a laundry room in the apartment complex.

3 Credits - You own a washer/dryer.

ACCESS TO SHOPPING - SELECT ONE

1 Credit - Walk to a grocery store. The mall is 15 miles from your apartment.

2 Credits - The closest grocery store is on the same block as your apartment. Small mall a mile away.

3 Credits - Two grocery stores and a large mall within easy walking distance.

SPENDING MONEY - SELECT ONE

1 Credit - No extra money left after bills and groceries.

2 Credits - $20/week remaining each month.

3 Credits - $50/week remaining each month.

Tough decisions like these are made every day. United Way resources are there to help. It could be calling 2-1-1 for information and referral or tapping into one or more of our Community Impact funded agencies that have a diverse number of programs.

Your Remaining Budget (credits):

Remaining Credits: 15