Scenario 14 — Housing and finances: household budget, safe renting, saving in practice

Goal: safety and trust. Instructions: explain the goal and outputs; rules: voluntary participation, right to pause, anonymity of numbers; we do not share other people’s financial data.

Goal: make it realistic. Instructions: everyone writes the three biggest expenses from the last month on a note; group them on a flipchart: housing/transport/food/other.

Goal: calculate and plan. Materials: B1 (Budget), B2 (Categories), calculator. Instructions:

Income: work/contract work, benefits, scholarships, other.

Fixed costs: housing (administrative fee, rent), utilities (electricity/gas/water), tickets/subscriptions, installment/phone.

Variable costs: food, occasional transport, hygiene, education, health, clothes, entertainment.

Irregular / sinking funds: doctor, repairs, gifts, documents/translations.

Goal and buffer: 1–2 goals (e.g., deposit ⅓ × 3 months; language course), mini‑buffer (even 1–5% of income).

Method:

Zero‑based: every złoty has a job (total income = total plan).

Envelopes: limits for categories (cash or “virtual envelopes” in B2). Success criteria: B1 completed (all sections) + a chosen method.

Goal: set limits and quick savings. Materials: B2, B7. Instructions:

choose your top 5 categories to monitor;

from B7 choose 5 quick wins (e.g., meal planning 2×/week, using public transport, cheaper plan/subscription, replacing one subscription with the library, cooking together).

enter limits in B2 and transfer them into B1.

Goal: know the steps and documents for renting. Materials: B4 (checklist), B5 (protocol), sample contract (summary). Instructions (step by step):

Before viewing: no “showing fee”; beware of a “too good” price; get a phone contact, address, and time.

Verify the owner/right to the property: ask for the owner’s details and the basis for renting out the place; the contract must include parties, address, rent/fees, term, deposit, termination rules, signatures.

Contract and language: get a draft contract in advance; if you do not understand the language—ask for a translation; check what rent includes vs utilities; rules for increases/delays.

Payments: bank transfer to a specific account with a title (e.g., “Rent – [month] – [address]”); receipt/confirmation for cash.

Handover protocol (B5): on the day keys are handed over:

meter readings (electricity/gas/water/heating),

keys/remotes (number),

equipment and condition (photos: walls, appliances, bathroom),

reported defects and repair deadline.

Red flags: cash only without confirmation; no contract; requesting an “advance” before viewing; “contract in Polish but sign now”; meter registered at a different address; forbidding registration “just because”. Success criteria: B4 completed (checklist) + a clear B5 (protocol) for your own situation.

Goal: reinforce warning signals. Instructions: the trainer reads 8 short situations—the group raises a green/red card and briefly explains.

Goal: implementation. Materials: B6 (calendar), B3 (repayment – optional). Instructions:

B6 – 30‑day calendar: plan 8–12 micro-actions (every 2–3 days): e.g., “Sunday meal prep”, “sell 1 item”, “subscription review”, “5 rental listings/comparison”, “energy meter photo”.

Indicators: in B6 write mini KPIs (PLN saved, number of actions, % of staying within the limit).

(Optional) B3 – Repayment: if you have debt, choose a strategy:

Snowball: start with the smallest balance—quick psychological wins;

Avalanche: start with the highest interest rate—cheapest over time. Success criteria: B6 has at least 8 actions and 3 indicators; (if relevant) a repayment plan with the first step.

Goal: closure and implementation. Instructions: POST (the same 3 questions). Everyone writes 1 step for the next 48 hours (e.g., “record meter readings”, “send questions to the landlord”, “set an envelope limit for ‘food’”).

Instructions: photo of flipcharts; reminder to keep contracts/invoices; information on where to seek help (NGOs/university/consumer advisory services).