Warm-up
How many things do you use that charge every month, like a phone plan, streaming, music or games?
- 0 to 2
- 3 to 5
- 6 or more
- No idea
Hands up for your answer.
Top story
Stocks rose as SpaceX's strong profit lifted AI stocks.
- SpaceX reported much bigger profits than expected, and stocks rose.
- SpaceX says it may sell phone plans, competing with AT&T and Verizon.
- AT&T beat its forecasts, but its stock still fell about 6.5%.
−6.5%
AT&T's stock on Wednesday, after a good quarter
Talk about itWhy would investors sell a company that just had a good quarter?
Your money: Small monthly bills add up
$15 a month is $180 a year.
Recurring bills are easy to ignore, so list them and cancel what you don't use.
- $15 a month × 12 months = $180 a year
- Three subscriptions = $540 a year
- Four years of high school = $2,160
TakeawayTwice a year, list everything you pay for monthly and cancel what you don't use.
Guess the number
One $15-a-month subscription, paid all four years of high school. What's the total?
$720
$15 a month is $180 a year. Times four years is $720.
Pop quiz
A student pays for three subscriptions at $15 a month each. About how much do they spend on them in one year?
- A$45
- B$180
- C$540
- D$2,160
C. $540. Three subscriptions at $15 is $45 a month. Multiply by 12 months to get $540 a year. ($180 is the cost of just one subscription for a year, and $2,160 is the cost over four years.)
Discuss
A rocket company might start selling phone plans. Would you switch carriers for a new company with a lower price? What would it have to offer to win you over?
Worksheet
Today's worksheet
The story, the money lesson and questions, with an answer key on its own page.
Teachers: optionally get The Dime in your inbox every school day at thedime.news/subscribe. Nothing else needs an account.