Discussion points

What are the discussion points and how do they link to these support notes?

Throughout Skint! there are a number of points within the storylines which present an opportunity to discuss individually or as a group, an issue or concern.

The discussion points throughout Skint! are:

Carly’s story – In for a Penny, in for a Pound -

 

Jamie’s story – The Other Side of the Coin -

 

Carly’s story – In for a Penny, in for a Pound

1. Technology costs

iPod and iPhone(page 15) 

Discussion around:

  • mobile technologies 
  • the advantages and disadvantages of technology 
  • online deals 
  • downloading games 
  • iPhones and apps 
  • contract versus Pay As You Go 
  • Is technology worth it?  
  • What about initial costs, running costs, hidden costs and excessive charges? What do you really sign up for? (Buyer beware!) 

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2. Keeping up appearances

Clothes(page 23)

Discussion around:

  • Why do we have limited budgets?
  • What are the best ways to live within our means?
  • What are the costs of buying clothes?
  • What do we think about designer fashions, group identity and how do we feel about buying and selling second hand and/or the ‘make do and mend’ approach?’
  • What are the potential true costs of keeping up appearances?

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3. APR and interest

APR & interest(page 33)

Discussion around: 

  • What is APR?
  • What is AER?
  • What is compound interest?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of using credit cards?
  • What are the consequences of paying the minimum payment every month?

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4. Good debt/bad debt?

Sofa(page 40)

Discussion around: 

  • What do we mean by good debt and bad debt?
  • What do we know about loans (both short and long term, store loans and loans from other lenders, such as car finance companies, online lenders, loan sharks, and the student loans organisations)?

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5. Lottery or kitty?

Lotto(page 49)

Discussion around:

  • What’s the difference between a menodge and the lottery and other forms of gambling such as bingo?
  • How do savings work (including money-off vouchers, other discounts and bank savings)?
  • How do we save up for birthdays, holidays and Christmas?

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6. What should Carly do?

Carly(page 53)

Discussion around:  

  • What Carly should do and why? Choose the ending you prefer and discuss what your reasons were depending on the choices she makes.
  • Discuss ‘living within your means’.
  • Filling in forms.
  • Discuss being aware of ‘what it says in the small print?’
  • And ‘feeling the pressure to sign up for things on the spot.’
  • Discuss ‘saving up for things and waiting’.

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Jamie’s story – The Other Side of the Coin

7. Need or want?

Car image(page 65) 

 Discussion around: 

  • Discuss the differences between ‘needing things’ and ‘wanting things’?
  • Discuss budgeting and saving up
  • What do we mean by good debt and bad debt?

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8. Income from?

Betting slip(page 72)

Discussion around:

  • Discuss ideas and thoughts around what happened to Tam’s £90,000 winnings.
  • Discuss how the most certain way to financial security is through employment and careful budgeting and saving, living within your means etc.
  • Discuss saving up for vocational training and/or further education opportunities.

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9. What are the odds really?

Dividing money(page 75)

Discussion around:

  • Discuss the pitfalls of gambling.  For example, the odds can be better when playing free gambling games online, and these can then change once you are requested to pay money!

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10. What’s in a wallet?

Vouchers & credit cards(page 83)

Discussion around:

  • Discuss ‘What is stopping Jamie from asking Carly out?’
  • Discuss the costs of ‘down time’ – drinking, smoking, cafe culture etc.

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11. What should Jamie do?

Jamie(page 95)

Discussion around:

  • Should Jamie take the job Bob is offering him? Should he put a bet on using Tam’s tip? Should he do the ‘£50 job’ for Davey? Why?
  • Discuss: 'Where our choices can lead us?'

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