Life Prep for Homeschooled Teenagers

Life Prep for Homeschooled Teenagers (100 pages; ©2003, 2007) is a curriculum that was originally designed by Barbara Frank, mother of four homeschooled-from-birth young adults, for her own teens. She says it is a “parent-friendly curriculum for teaching teenagers to live as morally responsible and financially independent adults.” The workbook format requires minimal preparation and is a compilation of practical lessons along with suggested books and websites.

This life-prep course includes instructions for customizing the curriculum for all teens, whether they’re work-bound or college-bound. Reading and writing assignments review the principles needed by teens to get along with family, friends and coworkers, and to live their values in their personal and work lives. Step-by-step projects teach teens about many of the real-life tasks they’ll face once they’re on their own, and will get them ready for life “outside of the nest.”

By the time your teen has finished this course they will have had hands-on practice in purchasing a car, applying for a loan, getting insurance, renting an apartment, securing a mortgage, investing, figuring taxes, using credit cards, budgeting, grocery shopping, paying utilities, job hunting, applying to college, etc.

For example, the Food Expense Project has the student do various things such as drawing up a budget and a nutritionally sound menu for a week, making a grocery list, purchasing and preparing the food. The second edition of this book (published in 2008) adds a Financial Freedom Project.

An additional reading list of recommended books for teenagers is included, along with suggestions for ways to evaluate the student assignments and answers to questions from the Financial Freedom Project. Essay questions are also provided for one book, Your Money or Your Life.

Barbara Frank’s Life Prep for Homeschooled Teenagers is Biblically-based with a Christian worldview as it relates to work, money, families, dating and relationships. Highly recommended as an elective course for grades 11-12. If you would prefer a secular version, or would like a newer book to supplement this curriculum, consider the following title.

Life Skills 101: A Practical Guide to Leaving Home and Living on Your Own

Life Skills 101: A Practical Guide to Leaving Home and Living on Your Own is a valuable guide to the complete spectrum of skills required to successfully master the challenges of being a responsible adult whether that means living alone, with roommates, or even with Mom and Dad. Subjects include financial know-how, job search success; interview, social, dining and workplace etiquette, consumer savvy, home hunting and lease negotiations. The guide provides the reader with essential advice on maintaining their home, car, laundry, time and well-being. The book also includes effective suggestions on saving and stretching one’s money, as well as positive actions for practicing environmental awareness. A glossary of financial terms is included. A great gift for high school graduates! (192 pages; ©2016)