Final Project
Final Project: My First-Year Stewardship Plan
Create a practical financial plan for your first year after release. Use estimates where you don't know exact numbers. Personal details may be kept private; sample data is acceptable where needed.
Requirements
- A stewardship statement: two or three sentences on how you will manage money as God's steward
- A zero-based monthly budget based on realistic net pay
- A banking plan: where you'll bank and the documents you need
- A credit action plan
- An obligations list in priority order with one payment-plan or modification step
- Two SMART savings goals and a giving plan
- Your no-predatory-debt plan
- A timeline of first-year financial steps with target months
Timeline
- Module 4: begin assembling assignments
- Module 7: complete all drafts; ask for feedback
- Module 8: submit the plan
Grading Rubrics
Grading Rubrics
Every rubric uses the same four levels. Your instructor will mark the level that best matches your work for each row and add a short comment.
Module Assignment Rubric
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completeness | Every required part is done | Most required parts are done | About half the parts are done | Little of the assignment is done |
| Accuracy & Skill | Skills applied correctly with no significant errors | Minor errors that do not affect the result | Several errors that affect the result | Major errors throughout |
| Professional Quality | Neat, clear, and ready for an employer to see | Clear with small issues | Hard to follow in places | Unclear or disorganized |
| Effort & Growth | Went beyond the minimum or clearly improved | Solid, consistent effort | Minimal effort | Little evidence of effort |
Total possible: 16 points.
Reflection Journal Rubric
Journals are graded on effort and reflection, never on spelling, grammar, or the details of a personal story.
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completion | Responds fully to every part of the prompt | Responds to most of the prompt | Responds to part of the prompt | Entry missing or one line |
| Connection to Lesson | Clearly applies the week's skill or idea | Mentions the lesson | Vague link to the lesson | No link to the lesson |
| Faith Reflection | Thoughtfully engages the Scripture or faith theme | Engages the faith theme | Brief mention of faith theme | Does not address the faith theme |
| Personal Application | Names a specific next step or change | Names a general next step | Next step is unclear | No next step |
Total possible: 16 points.
Participation Rubric
Scored at the end of each module. Average the eight scores for the Attendance & Participation grade.
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance & Punctuality | Present and on time for the full session | Present; late or left early once | Missed part of the session more than once | Absent without make-up work |
| Preparation | Completed assignment and brought workbook every time | Usually prepared | Sometimes prepared | Rarely prepared |
| Engagement | Contributes thoughtfully and draws others in | Contributes regularly | Contributes when asked | Seldom contributes, even when invited |
| Respect & Covenant | Models the classroom covenant for others | Follows the covenant consistently | Needs occasional reminders | Needs frequent reminders |
Total possible: 16 points.
Final Project Rubric: First-Year Stewardship Plan
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completeness | All eight items included | Six or seven items | Four or five items | Three or fewer items |
| Budget Accuracy | Realistic net pay; balances to zero; all categories included | Minor math or category gaps | Several errors or missing categories | Budget missing or unworkable |
| Practical Planning | Specific, realistic steps with dates and resources | Mostly specific | General or vague steps | Few or no steps |
| Stewardship & Faith | Thoughtful stewardship statement reflected throughout the plan | Clear stewardship statement | Brief mention | Missing |
| Protection & Wisdom | Clear plan to avoid predatory debt and scams, with safe alternatives | Clear with minor gaps | Vague | Missing |
Total possible: 20 points.
Quick Guide
Money Quick Guide
Keep this guide with your important papers after release.
Four Uses of Money
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Live | Food, shelter, utilities, transportation |
| Give | Tithes, offerings, helping others |
| Save | Emergency fund and future goals |
| Owe | Debts, fines, fees, obligations |
Budget Order of Priority
- ☐ 1. The Four Walls: food, shelter, utilities, transportation
- ☐ 2. Obligations tied to freedom or legal status (supervision fees, court payments, child support)
- ☐ 3. Giving and saving
- ☐ 4. Other debts
- ☐ 5. Wants
Opening a Bank Account
- ☐ Government-issued ID
- ☐ Social Security number
- ☐ Proof of address
- ☐ Ask about second-chance checking if denied
- ☐ Opt out of overdraft coverage
- ☐ Ask how to avoid monthly fees
Credit Rebuilding Steps
- ☐ Get free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com
- ☐ Dispute errors with the credit bureau (free)
- ☐ Open a secured card; use for one small bill; pay in full monthly
- ☐ Consider a credit-builder loan at a credit union
- ☐ Pay every bill on time
- ☐ Never pay a company to “fix” your credit
Avoid These
- ☐ Payday loans
- ☐ Car title loans
- ☐ Rent-to-own
- ☐ Anyone who asks for payment by gift card or wire transfer
- ☐ Jobs that charge you to start
Free Help
- ☐ Legal aid and public defender offices (fines, fees, records)
- ☐ Child support agency (payment plans, modifications)
- ☐ VITA sites (free tax preparation)
- ☐ Credit unions (second-chance accounts, small loans)
- ☐ Church benevolence funds and community assistance programs
My Numbers
Expected monthly take-home pay: $__________
Monthly Four Walls total: $__________
Monthly obligations total: $__________
Giving: $__________ Saving: $__________
Emergency fund goal: $__________ by __________
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.— Philippians 1:6 (KJV)
Final Exam
- 1.
A steward is:
- 2.
Net pay is:
- 3.
Which is one of the Four Walls?
- 4.
In a zero-based budget:
- 5.
Which usually has the lowest fees?
- 6.
To avoid overdraft fees you can:
- 7.
Where can you get free credit reports?
- 8.
Which factor affects credit scores the most?
- 9.
A secured credit card is backed by:
- 10.
If you can't afford a court payment, you should first:
- 11.
Which often carries an APR of 300% or more?
- 12.
Which is a SMART goal?
- 13.
VITA offers:
- 14.
An employer 401(k) match is:
- 15.
Stewardship includes time, talents, and relationships as well as money.
- 16.
You have to pay a company to dispute an error on your credit report.
- 17.
A rollover reduces the amount you owe on a payday loan.
- 18.
An emergency fund can help you avoid predatory loans.
- 19.
Monthly take-home pay is $2,000 and planned spending, giving, and saving total $1,850. What should you do with the remaining $150 in a zero-based budget?
- 20.
Explain how Luke 16:10 applies to managing money.