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The Dime Oct 27 · 1 / 7

Warm-up

Which do you play games on most?

Hands up for your answer.

Top story

Game consoles got more expensive.

  • Nintendo raised the U.S. Switch 2 price from $449.99 to $499.99 on September 1.
  • Nintendo blamed higher memory-chip costs, a weaker exchange rate and higher oil prices.
  • AI data centers are buying lots of memory chips, so fewer are left for consoles.

$50

how much more a Switch 2 costs in the U.S. since September 1

Talk about itIf a game console you wanted went up $50, would you wait, buy now, or skip it? Why?

Your money: How a price hike changes your savings plan

Goal ÷ weekly savings = weeks to wait.

When the price goes up, the number of weeks goes up too.

  1. $400 ÷ $25 a week = 16 weeks
  2. $450 ÷ $25 a week = 18 weeks
  3. 18 − 16 = 2 more weeks

TakeawayWrite down your goal, divide by what you can save each week, and redo it when the price changes.

Guess the number

The Switch 2 went up $50, from $449.99 to $499.99. About what percent is that increase?

Pop quiz

You want a $400 console and save $25 a week. The price rises to $450. How many more weeks do you need?

  1. A2 more weeks
  2. B1 more week
  3. C4 more weeks
  4. DNo more weeks

Discuss

Game companies say their costs went up, so prices had to go up. When is it fair for a company to raise prices, and when is it not?

Worksheet

Today's worksheet

The story, the money lesson and questions, with an answer key on its own page.

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Arrow keys move between slides. R reveals the answer. F goes full screen.