Opportunity Cost and the Couple

You'll first need to draw a chart (NOT the one shown below). The chart you need to draw can be viewed at this link right here.

Next, select five of the following decision situations below which you want to focus on. Write them on your chart. In the second column of your chart, list three choices that a married couple might make. For each of these choices, (a) list benefits or good things about that choice in the third column, and (b) list any opportunity cost or consequences for that choice in the fourth column.  After you get three choices and cite the good and bad for each, make a decision as a couple on which one you'll go with. Both people must agree on the decision. Circle your choice and sign your name to show you agree with the choice.

Decision Situations	Questions to Consider
1. Wedding	When? Where? Type of ceremony and reception? Which guests? Honeymoon?
2. Home	Location? Rent, buy, or live with relatives?
3. Home maintenance	Who cleans? Fixes up? Supervises the plumber?
4. Careers	Who will work? At what jobs?
5. Budget	What to buy? How much to save? Who manages household finances?
6. Food	Eat at home or eat out? Who cooks? Who shops? What menus?
7. Recreation	Spectator vs. participant activities? Together or individually?
8. Holidays	How to celebrate? Stay at home? Visit relatives? Travel?
9. Vacations	Stay at home or travel? What activities? How much to spend?
10. Children	Will you have children? How many? Timing? Child care?
11. Disciplining children	What methods? Whose responsibility?
12. Children's education	Public or private? Financing? Parents' roles?
13. Children's activities	Which ones: sports, clubs, arts? Transportation? Supervision? Financing?
14. Promotion or job transfer	Impact on spouse? Adjust household responsibilities? Accept or reject?
15. Community activities	Which ones: church, service clubs, artistic, athletic, political, school groups, and so on. Degree of involvement? Shared or individual?
16. Retirement	When? Where? Activities? Finances?
17. Care of elderly parents	Live independently? Live with you? Nursing home? Hospital? Finances? Impact on you, your spouse, your children?
18. Care of chronically ill spouse	At home? Outside help? Nursing home? Hospital? Finances?