Requirement 1: Planning for a large purchase

A. C​hoose an item that your family might want to purchase that is considered a major expense.
My family would like to purchase a patio covering for our backyard.  This would be a structure that has a roof and covers our outside living space.  We want to cover an area roughly 12' x 12'.  We expect to spend $1,500 to $3,000 on the covering.
B. ​Write a plan that tells how your family would save money for the purchase identified above
Our family would save a portion of our income over several months to get the money needed for the covering.
B.1 ​Discuss the plan with your merit badge counselor
Our family would need to save $400/month for roughly 7 months to get the money.  We would like to have the covering for the springtime, so we would start saving in September to have enough money in the Spring.  The patio coverings are usually only available during Spring to purchase, so we need to have money to purchase the covering when it is available.
B.2 Discuss the plan with your family
Our family has discussed and planned on getting the covering since we added an outside patio.  We are all committed to saving the money to make the purchase.  We will have to prioritize our non-essential purchases so we can save $400/month.
B.3 D​iscuss how other family needs must be considered in this plan.
We still need to pay for essential living needs such as, food, housing, taxes, and utilities.  We will sacrifice non-essential purchases such as video games, toys, books, and vacations.
C. Develop a written shopping strategy for the purchase identified in requirement
We will use the Internet to search for coverings that meet our needs.  We would be looking at quality ratings, price, and availability of the item.  Price is important in the selection, but the look and quality is more important.
C.1. ​ Determine the quality of the item or service (using consumer publications or ratings systems).
We would most likely use the user ratings listed on the website to get a feeling of the quality and value of the coverings.  We could also check if sites like Consumer Reports has rankings of the product we want to purchase.  
C.2. ​Comparison shop for the item. Find out where you can buy the item for the best price. (Provide prices from at least two different price sources.) 
Source
Price
Costco - ​12' x 12' Cedar Gazebo with Aluminum Roof
$1,700
Wayfare - 13 Ft. W x 10 Ft. D Steel Patio Gazebo
$390
Lowes - ​allen + roth Wood Looking Hand Paint Metal Square Semi-Permanent Gazebo
$1,900
Even though there are less expensive options, we will choose the Gazebo from Costco.  The quality appears to be better, the ratings are good, and Costco will take back the purchase if we are not satisfied.
​Call around; study ads. Look for a sale or discount coupon. Consider alternatives.
Check the websites each week for potential sales and coupons that can make the purchase less expensive.
Can you buy the item used?
Not really, because you would have to uninstall it from the original location.  Most likely, the used covering would be in bad shape.
Should you wait for a sale?
Maybe, but the coverings are sometimes limited in supply, so we may not wait for a sale.

Requirement 2: Prepare a Budget

A. ​Prepare a budget reflecting your expected income (allowance, gifts, wages), expenses, and savings for a period of 13 consecutive weeks
B.1. Compare expected income with expected expenses.  If expenses exceed budget income, determine steps to balance your budget.
The first month, I had a surplus in my budget.  I took the $2 surplus and added to the next month's income total.

The second month, I had a deficit of $29 due to extra recreation expenses.  This will effect how I will spend the next month.  I used savings to make up for the deficit.

The third month, I reduced my spending for clothing, recreation, and sports to offset the deficit from last month.  I still had higher than expected expenses for entertainment which resulted in a deficit of $5, which will be rolled into the next month.
B.2. ​If income exceeds budget expenses, state how you would use the excess money (new goal, savings).
The month that I have a surplus, I would split into the Savings and Food budget.
B.3. ​Track and record your actual income, expenses, and savings for 13 consecutive weeks (the same 13-week period for which you budgeted). (You may use the forms provided in this pamphlet, devise your own, or use a computer-generated version.) When complete, present the records showing the results to your merit badge counselor.
B.4. ​Compare your budget with your actual income and expenses to understand when your budget worked and when it did not work. With your merit badge counselor, discuss what you might do differently the next time
There were many times when my income was not enough to cover non-essential purchases.  For instance, I really want a new computer, but I don't have enough income to buy it.  I need to save more money for the large purchase, and maybe avoid eating out as much to same money.  I am too young to have a real job, but I could find more chance to make money doing chores.

Requirements 8: Time Management

A.  ​Write a "to do" list of tasks or activities, such as homework assignments, chores, and personal projects, that must be done in the coming week. List these in order of importance to you.
Priority
Activty
Description
1
STEM Tiny House Project
School project for STEM - create a Tiny House out of Legos and create a small film
2
Social Studies Presentation
Presentation to the class about the Roman civilization.  Do research and create a PowerPoint  
3
Clean cat box
Clean the cat box three times in the week
4
Clean my room
Tidy up my space
5
Put away my clothes
When the clothes are washed, I have to put them away
6
Final tennis matches for Collierville Middle School
Final match play and end of season celebration
7
Baseball games and practice
Baseball practice on Thursday and two games on the weekend.  I need to prepare for pitching and catching.
B.  ​Make a seven-day calendar or schedule. Put in your set activities, such as school classes, sports practices or games, jobs or chores, and/or Scout or place of worship or club meetings, then plan when you will do all the tasks from your "to do" list between your set activities. 
Activity
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
STEM Project
​
Build the Lego sets and plan the story
Filmed the stop-motion video and edited it
Presented project to class
Social Studies
Researched and created presentation
Edit and finalized presentation
Presentation to the class
Clean Cat Box
Clean cat box
Clean cat box
Clean cat box
Clean Room
Straighten up my room and vacuum
Value
Put away any items out of place
​
Value
Clean bathroom
Value
Clothes
Put away clothes
Wash tennis uniform
Clean baseball uniform
​Take dirty clothes down to laundry room
Tennis
Tennis practice
Value
Practice tennis with dad
Tennis Match
Basball
Practice at 5:30
Game - Starting pitching
Game - First and Third Base
Practice with dad
C.  ​Follow the one-week schedule you planned. Keep a daily diary or journal during each of the seven days of this week's activities, writing down when you completed each of the tasks on your "to do" list compared to when you scheduled them. 
Activity
Date Completed
Date Expected
STEM Project
05/07/2021
05/07/2021
Social Studies project
04/30/2021
05/05/2021
Cat box
05/04/2021
05/01/2021
Clean room
05/03/2021
05/03/2021
Clothes and Laundry
05/03/2021
05/03/2021
Tennis Practice
05/03/2021
05/03/2021
Tennis Game
05/08/2021
05/08/2021
Baseball Practice
05/06/2021
05/06/2021
Baseball Game 1
05/07/2021
05/07/2021
Baseball Game 2
05/08/2021
05/08/2021
D.  ​With your merit badge counselor, review your "to do" list, one-week schedule, and diary/journal to understand when your schedule worked and when it did not work.
Monday is a very busy day for me and my family.  There are competing activities every Monday, and we have to prioritize between Scouting, Sports, and School work.  I had to prioritize my school work first, so when I get home from school, I focus on my homework.  This week, I had to skip scouts so I could focus on my two projects and my tennis practice (because it was my last match).  After Monday, most activities were spread and it was easier to manage the schedule.

Requirement 9: Sample Project Plan

A.  Define a project.  What is your goal?
My project will be to plan a family vacation to Washington, DC.  I want to go to DC to see sights such as the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the White House.  I have never been to the national capitol and would like to see it. 
B. ​Develop a timeline for your project that shows the steps you must take from beginning to completion. 
The first step for planning the vacation would be to plan when to go to DC.  I would like to visit in the summertime because there is good weather and many activities.  I also need to plan around my school schedule.  I would plan to spend a week in DC.

Now that I know I will be travelling in the Summer, I need to plan out the airline tickets and the hotel to stay.  I will use a travel site to look for airline tickets and to look for available hotels in the area of town I want to stay.  When I find the best price and times, I would then book the airline tickets and the hotel.

Next, I would need to plan the activities I would like to do while on vacation.  For instance, I would research the cost and best times to visit the monuments.  For the White House visit, I would need to check to see if there is a chance to go inside and pre-book any needed tickets.  I would create an itinerary to plan the activities for each day of the trip so I can maximize the experiences I can visit.

I would next review websites for nearby  restaurants so we can plan so good places to dine.  I would research reviews for restaurants on Yelp! to find the best places to eat.  If needed, I can make advanced reservations.

Two weeks before the trip, I would discuss with the family what we need for the trip and plan for packing.  We would need to pack clothes, toiletries, shoes, and backpacks.  If anything is needed for the trip, I would buy what I need.

A week before the trip, I would start to pack based upon the plan.  I would get any tickets that are needed ready, I would go to the bank and withdraw money that I need, and get any maps that I might need.

The night before the trip, I would pack items in the car, take a shower, and get a good night sleep.  I want to be prepared in the morning so I am not rushed.

Finally, we would drive to the airport to start the vacation.
C. Describe your project.
My project is for planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Washington DC to visit the sights that I have learned about in school and in scouting.  This will be a family trip which will include my family and my grandparents.
D. ​Develop a list of resources. Identify how these resources will help you achieve your goal
Based on the timeline above, I would need resources like:

Travel Planning
- websites for research
- websites for booking tickets and hotel
- pamphlets, travel books, and maps

Getting Around
- Money for the trip
- Airline tickets
- mobile phone for booking cabs and Ubers
- mobile phone apps for updates and tracking
- Ride sharing to get to and from airport

Entertainment
- mobile apps for research
- pamphlets found around time for coupons and specials
- tourist bus to travel around town to see the sites

E. Develop a budget for your project
Category
Item
Cost
Travel
Airline Tickets (5 people)
$3,000
Lodging
Hotel rooms (2 for 5 nights)
$5,000
Travel
Bus, cab, and ride share
$1,000
Dining
Food & Drinks
$3,000
Entertainment
Tickets and attractions
$2,500
Entertainment
Souvenirs 
$500
Total
$15,000

Requirement 10: Plan a Career

A. ​Choose a career you might want to enter after high school or college graduation.  
Tennessee Park Ranger
​Discuss with your counselor the needed qualifications, education, skills, and experience..  
Some skills that you need include knowledge of the parks, being able to manage a budget, knowledge of wildlife, and knowing how to satisfy customers.

In order to become a park ranger, I would need to get a college degree in Wildlife Management and Ecology.  These degrees can help to understand and protect the natural resources within the park.

I can gain experience that can help with being a park ranger by participating in scouting and finding internship opportunities.
B. ​Explain to your counselor what the associated costs might be to pursue this career, such as tuition, school or training supplies, and room and board. Explain how you could prepare for these costs and how you might make up for any shortfall. 
I would be interested in going to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to get a degree in Wildlife Management.  I would expect to have $27,604 in student debt after the four-year program.  I would not be required to live on campus, so I could potentially save money by getting an off-campus apartment to share with roommates.  I would budget $3,500 / year for housing and $3,000 for food and other expenses, coming to $26,000 for room and board.  Roughly $54,000 will be needed for the degree.  In order to offset the costs of education, I would get student loans, apply for scholarships, and find a job.

I would expected to start making $30,900 per year as a Park Ranger.  With mu income, after paying for living expenses, I would use remaining money to pay off student debt and start my savings.  I would try to find a job that could help with debt forgiveness to help pay some of the loans.


Source: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/natural-resources-conservation/wildlife-management/rankings/most-popular/southeast/tennessee/

Award

  • Requirements were completed on 08/05/2021
  • Badge was award on 11/29/2021

Sources