Budgeting Debt

by Steve Bennett

Kids 10 and up
Required: Just your time.

Imagine, with your children, that you've been put in charge of eliminating the national deficit. First, discuss the ways in which the country currently spends its money (on defense, scientific research, public assistance, education, public works, and so on). Then, ask your kids to explain the budget cuts and other changes they would make.

For example, perhaps they would switch the allotments for the Departments of Education and Defense, then trim the budgets for each by 50 percent. Ask your kids to suggest ways in which they might mitigate the effects of budget cuts. Perhaps people could be encouraged to volunteer their services, or we could implement a bartering system, and the like.

Then, once your kids have balanced the national budget, ask them to do the same for your community's funds. Discuss ways of reapportioning your city's or town's dollars and trimming, say, 25 percent of the annual spending. And what ideas do your children have for making sure your community doesn't suffer the ill effects of economizing? Once your kids have a handle on the community's budget, perhaps it's time for them to campaign for public office.

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