The Game of Life Part 1

Adulting 101

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

The Road Not Taken
BY ROBERT FROST

El Camino No Elegido
POR ROBERT FROST

Dos caminos se bifurcaban en un bosque amarillo,
Y apenado por no poder tomar ambos
Siendo un viajero solo, largo tiempo me detuve
Mirando uno de ellos tan lejos como pude,
Hasta donde se perdía en la espesura;

Entonces tomé el otro, igualmente justo,
Y habiendo quizás la mejor afirmación,
Porque era tupido y requería uso;
Aunque por el paso que había dejado
Los dos por aquella mañana igualmente yacían,

Y ambos esa mañana igualmente cubiertos
En hojas no pisoteadas negras.
¡Ay, guardé el primero para otro día!
Aunque sabiendo cómo un camino lleva a otro,
Dudé si debería volver alguna vez.

Estaré diciendo esto con un suspiro
En algún lugar de aquí a siglos:
Dos caminos se bifurcaban en un bosque, y yo—
Yo tomé el menos transitado,
Y eso hizo toda la diferencia.

Read

Open Ended

What do you take away from this poem? Complete sentences and paragraph.

Open Ended

What road will you follow? Will you take the road less traveled? What does this mean for you? Again, complete sentences and a paragraph.

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."
- Steve Jobs.

Open Ended

Let's be real. What is your job right after high school? Not during college, after college, after a trade school, or a year or two on the job, but right after high school? How much will you make an hour? Don't just put "minimum wage" put a dollar amount. A realistic dollar amount.

The Job

GreenSprouts Groves

You have applied for a job at GreenSprout Groves, a hub for innovative gardening and organic delights. Here, tradition meets technology, and your role is pivotal. At $25/hour, you’ll nurture plants and guide customers' horticultural pursuits. Starting June 12, 2024, each seed you sow is a step in your flourishing career amidst our green haven.

Open Ended

Explain and describe how you will prepare for the interview to land this job!

Beating the Competition

The final stage of your application at GreenSprout Groves is upon you. It’s a moment ripe with opportunity, a chance to stand out in a field of green dreams and aspirations. You’ve been informed that the competition has narrowed, and it’s just you and one other hopeful vying for a place where eco-consciousness and customer service converge. Jim Baker, the boss, is on the lookout for someone who doesn’t just tend to plants but also cultivates relationships and sales with equal passion. This is your moment to shine, to use the art of persuasion to secure your spot in this verdant venture. Now, let your words bloom with persuasion, showcasing the soft skills that make you the best fit for GreenSprout Groves.

Open Ended

Insider info from GreenSprout Groves reveals you’re head-to-head with another candidate for the job. Boss Jim Baker favors those with a sales edge. Craft a compelling paragraph using ethos, kairos, logos, and pathos. Highlight your soft skills, and articulate why you’re the ideal choice. Your ability to connect, solve problems, and excel in customer interactions will prove you’re not just a salesperson but a valuable team member in this eco-friendly oasis.

Offered A Job

You’ve just landed a job at “GreenSprout Groves,” a creative agricultural store known for its innovative gardening solutions and organic produce. The store uniquely blends traditional farming tools and modern eco-friendly technology. As the newest team member, you’ll earn $25 an hour nurturing plants and helping customers cultivate their green thumbs. Your journey at GreenSprout Groves begins on June 12, 2024, where every seed you plant marks the growth of your new career in this verdant paradise.

Open Ended

Write a thank you note to your future boss, Jim Baker. Keep it under 500 characters. Include: a) Your excitement about the job offer. b) The start date: June 12, 2024. C) The pay rate: $25/hour. d) Express your gratitude and eagerness to start. Ensure it is polite and professional.

Life...

You have recently graduated from high school and secured a job offering $25 per hour. Your parents have given you a deadline of 9 months to move out if you choose not to pursue further education. To prepare for this transition, you must budget for various expenses like purchasing a car, auto insurance, gas for the 40-mile round trip to work, lunch money, a cell phone plan, and savings for future accommodation. Additionally, factoring in expenses for entertainment and other lifestyle costs due to your relationship with your partner is crucial.

Open Ended

Identify one guiding principle that will help you make sound financial decisions during this transition. Explain why this principle is important and how it will influence your choices.

The money you're left with after taxes are paid and any deductions for health insurance or other benefits are taken.

Net Income

The money you earn from your hourly wages, salary, commissions, and bonuses.

Gross Income

Gross and Net Income

Washington Worker's Windfall: Crunching the Numbers on $25/Hour

To determine the net income of an employee in Washington State earning $25 per hour for a 40-hour workweek, various factors need to be taken into account. These include federal income tax, FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare), and any other possible deductions. It's worth noting that Washington State does not impose a state income tax, making the calculation a bit simpler.

Your Gross Pay

Amount you will make before taxes

Gross Income Calculation

• Hourly Rate: $25

• Hours per Week: 40

• Weekly Gross Pay: 25×40=$1000

Poll

How much do you think your Net Pay will be?

• $803.50

• $954.40

• $753.65

• $900.00

Taxes

Here is the minimum you can expect...

1. Federal Income Tax: The federal income tax depends on the individual's filing status and allowances claimed. For simplicity, we'll estimate this at 12% of the gross pay (this is a rough estimate and actual rates could be higher or lower depending on the specific tax situation).

   • Weekly Federal Tax: 1000×0.12=$1201000×0.12=$120

2. Social Security Tax (6.2% on income up to the Social Security wage base):

   • Weekly Social Security Tax: 1000×0.062=$621000×0.062=$62

3. Medicare Tax (1.45% on all income):

   • Weekly Medicare Tax: 1000×0.0145=$14.501000×0.0145=$14.50

Total Deductions

Taken out of your check each week

• Total Weekly Deductions: 120+62+14.50=$196.50120+62+14.50=$196.50

Weekly Income

What You Will Take Home

$803.50

Expenses

Still at Home...

You are still at home, at least for 9 months. Your fixed expenses might include the following:

• Car Payment: Assuming you finance a used car, your monthly payment could be around $300.

• Auto Insurance: For a young driver, expect to pay around $200 monthly.

• Cell Phone Plan: A decent plan could cost around $60 monthly.

• Gas Money: Assuming a car with average fuel efficiency (25 mpg) and a 40-mile round trip commute at $3.50 per gallon, you'd spend about $112 monthly on gas (20 workdays).

• Savings for Rent/Deposit: Setting aside $500 monthly to save for a deposit and the first and last months' rent when you move out.

Expenses

Still at Home...

You are still at home, at least for 9 months. Your variable expenses might include the following:

• Lunch Money: Assuming $10 per day for lunch on workdays, that's about $200 per month (20 workdays).

• Entertainment and Other Expenses: Let's allocate $300 monthly for entertainment, eating out, clothing, and other miscellaneous expenses. If you have a significant other and want to keep the relationship going, $300 might be low.

Open Ended

Do these expenses seem reasonable to you? If so, why? If not, why? Create a realistic budget based on your personalized situation.