Case 11 of 20 · Financial & Real Life Thinking
Opportunity Cost of Money
🔎 Case Brief #11
🎒 You're at school and something happens that involves what you give up when spending.
🎯 Your mission
Beat the challenge.
⚡ The twist
Every 'yes' to spending is a 'no' to something else.
What you'll learn · 1 of 2
🧠 Buying a $20 game means NOT buying a $20 book.
The book is your opportunity cost.
Here's how to do it:
1. Look carefully at the problem. What do you see?
2. Think about what you already know. Does this remind you of something?
3. Try an answer!
What you'll learn · 2 of 2
It's totally okay to be wrong — that's how we learn.
4. Check: did it work? If not, try something else!
You're building your thinking muscles. The more you practice, the stronger they get!
Key idea: What you give up when spending
Think about this
🎒 You're at school and something happens that involves what you give up when spending. Your teacher asks the class to think about it. What do you notice? What questions pop into your head?
How a thinker does it
- 🔍
👀 What Do I See?
Look at the problem about what you give up when spending. What do you notice?
- 🧪
🤔 What Do I Know?
What do you already know that could help? Have you seen something like this before?
- 🎯
💡 What's My Idea?
Think of an answer. Can you think of a second one too?
- 🪞
⭐ What Did I Learn?
Check your answer. Was it right? What did you figure out? Tell someone!
Remember
- 1Master what you give up when spending
- 2Apply financial & real life thinking in real situations
- 3Build habits of financial & real life thinking
Words to know
- Want
- Something you'd like but don't need
- Need
- Something you must have
Solve the case · 1 of 3
Case 1
1 of 3What is the main idea of what you give up when spending?
Solve the case · 2 of 3
Case 2
2 of 3How can you apply financial & real life thinking in daily life?
Solve the case · 3 of 3
Case 3
3 of 3Good critical thinkers always:
Nice work!
You got 0 of 3 right.
Next Smart Case
We'll pick a case that matches exactly how well you're thinking right now.
✨ More to explore
🌍 Why this matters: Adults use these same skills when they make budgets, go grocery shopping, and save for big purchases like cars and houses.
💬 Talk about it
- Can you explain what you give up when spending to a friend using your own words?
- What was the most interesting thing you learned today?
- Draw a picture of what you learned and show it to someone!
🏆 Try this week: Compare two similar products and find the real difference.
👨👩👧 At dinner: “What would you do with $10 you had to spend today?”
Challenge a friend
Can they solve this case? Share it on IG, TikTok, or WhatsApp.
Ready?
Opportunity Cost of Money
Beat the challenge.
Full screen — no distractions