Objective: To simulate the economic insecurity experienced by many persons.

Game Set-up:

A wheel of misfortune is constructed that lists the kinds of problems people can face every day. They include problems with Health, Home, Transportation, and Work. Other problems could easily be substituted for these four areas.

Health:

1. Dental $700
2. Broken Limb $1200
3. Surgery $4800
4. Hospital Stay $18,000
5. Heart Attack $23,000

Home:

1. Cold Winter $450
2. Plumbing Problem $250
3. New Furnace $2000
4. New Appliance $500
5. Water Heater $350

Transportation

1. Transmission $500
2. Inspection Repairs $600
3. Insurance Increase $300
4. Accident $2100
5. Brakes $350

Work

1. Fired (fight w/ boss) - 2 months lay-off
2. Disability (car wreck) 3 months lay-off
3. Recession - 3 month lay-off
4. Plant Closes - 6 month lay-off
5. Automation - 3 month lay-off

Students are broken into groups and provided with various types of jobs and family situations. Some possibilities include:

1. Warehouse worker

• - $6 per hour ($12,480 per year)
• - Health Insurance 50% = $2,400
• - No retirement or other benefits
• - discretionary income = $2745 - 2,400 = $345
• - spouse and 1 child

2. Service Worker (bus person)

• - $5.15 per hour ($10,712 per year)
• - no benefits
• - discretionary income = $2,356
• - single

3. Self-employed

• - $30,000 per year
• - no benefits
• - discretionary income = $5,040
• - spouse and 2 children

4. Union Worker

• - $26,000 per year
• - Health Insurance (80%) = $2,100
• - Retirement (3%) = $780
• - Disability Insurance
• - discretionary income = $5,720, 3,620, 2,840
• - spouse and 3 kids

5. Professional

• - $35,000 per year
• - Health Insurance (2/3) - $2,160
• - Retirement (3%) - $1,225
• - Disability Insurance
• - discretionary income = $7,700, 5,540, 4,315
• - spouse and 2 kids

Other job scenarios could be added depending upon the size of the class and number of groups in the class.

The discretionary income a family has to spend on misfortunes is dependent upon how much of their income is consumed in fixed costs. These include the following:

• Housing/utilities      38% of income
• Food/clothing         25% of income
• Transportation          5% of income
• Taxes                     10% of income

                                        78%

This leaves approximately 22% of income for discretionary purposes.

There is the possibility of buying private insurance. The costs for these are:

• Health Insurance $200 per month - 80/20 $5000 max out of pocket
• Life Ins. ($100K) 40 per month
• Disability (60%) 35 per month
• Dental (50% benefit) 35 per month

A minimum of 3 months of insurance must be purchased prior to spinning the wheel. Groups have the option of purchasing insurance before each spin.

Finally, families can change their situations by voting for the following public policy changes.

1. Health Insurance - 2% of income
2. Extend Unemployment - 1%
3. Better Public Transportation - 1%
4. Job Service - 1%
5. Family Support ($2800 per child) - 3%
6. Change Tax Rate

• 8% - below $20,000 annual income
• 10% - between $20,000 - $29,999
• 12% - $30,000 and above

The class can vote on what types of public policy changes they would like after each round.

How To Play:

Play 3 rounds of the game. Each family (group) gets a turn to spin the wheel and deal with whatever situation they have. Prior to spinning they can elect whether or not to purchase insurance. Each time they have to spend money they subtract it from their discretionary income. If a family runs out of money, they have to move to the homeless shelter until something changes for them (e.g. public policy change, etc.). They continue to spin even though they are in the shelter. At the end of each round, the entire class becomes the body politic and votes (majority rules) whether or not to make public policy changes.

Discussion

At the end of the three rounds, have groups get into large group to discuss the implications of the game. Ask for their general feedback (what they thought, felt, frustrations, etc.). The leader can direct the discussion in whatever way s/he feels appropriate.

Followup

Have students reflect on their experience by means of reflection papers, journal entries, comments to class bulletin board, etc.