New
New
Year 11

How can financial planning support independent living?

I can explain what I should consider before renting and how I balance income, spending and saving.

New
New
Year 11

How can financial planning support independent living?

I can explain what I should consider before renting and how I balance income, spending and saving.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Renting requires financial responsibility, including timely payments and awareness of additional living costs.
  2. Prospective tenants must understand their legal rights and assess the affordability of rental agreements.
  3. Effective income management involves tracking earnings and creating a balanced financial plan.
  4. Regular saving from income supports financial stability and long-term independence.
  5. Financial planning is essential for sustaining rental commitments and making informed economic decisions.

Keywords

  • Renting - paying money regularly, usually monthly, to live in a home that you do not own

  • Income - the amount of money that a government or person earns

Common misconception

You don’t need to worry about financial planning until you are older.

Financial planning starts as soon as you have any income, like pocket money or a part-time job. Learning to plan now helps build strong habits for the future.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: How can financial planning support independent living?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use budget calculator websites during the lesson or explore a tenancy agreement to make the learning feel more relevant and hands-on.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the most expensive area of the UK to rent a property?
Correct answer: England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Q2.
Social housing is offered at rents than private renting.
Correct Answer: lower, low, lesser, less, cheaper
Q3.
Why might someone choose to rent privately instead of buying a home?
they want to avoid paying rent
they enjoy moving house
Correct answer: they cannot afford a mortgage yet
Correct answer: they want to have a more flexible option
Q4.
What is most likely to make it harder for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder?
a drop in house prices
lower interest rates
Correct answer: rising house prices
more people moving
Q5.
People with limited savings or income might consider ownership, where they part buy and part rent a home.
Correct Answer: shared
Q6.
Match each housing option with the goal of someone who chooses it.
Correct Answer:private renting,someone who needs flexibility for moving in future

someone who needs flexibility for moving in future

Correct Answer:social housing,someone who cannot afford to buy, but needs lower rent

someone who cannot afford to buy, but needs lower rent

Correct Answer:buying with a mortgage,someone who wants long-term stability and to build equity

someone who wants long-term stability and to build equity

6 Questions

Q1.
Which is a good reason to create a budget before signing a tenancy agreement?
to find out what your friends are spending
to track your income, not spending
Correct answer: to make sure you can afford it all
to avoid spending money
Q2.
Your is the money you receive, usually earning it from a job, benefits or both.
Correct Answer: income
Q3.
Match the statement with its correct explanation.
Correct Answer:rent must be paid on time,this means you must stick to agreed dates or face consequences

this means you must stick to agreed dates or face consequences

Correct Answer:a tenancy agreement is a legal document,this outlines your rights and responsibilities as a renter

this outlines your rights and responsibilities as a renter

Correct Answer:utility bills add to your monthly costs,this explains why it is important to be aware of more than just rent

this explains why it is important to be aware of more than just rent

Q4.
When should you start thinking about financial planning?
when you buy your first house
when you turn 30
Correct answer: as soon as you have an income
after you finish college or university
Q5.
When you live in a house that is not yours and pay a monthly fee, it is called ...
Correct Answer: renting
Q6.
What is the main reason for saving a portion of your income regularly?
to spend it all during holidays
to show off your bank balance
Correct answer: to support your future financial stability
to avoid paying rent