3.19.5
© Family Economics & Financial Education — November 2008 — Life of…Carlos Chavez — Page 2
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences Take Charge America Institute at The University of Arizona
Family Economics & Financial Education
Carlos Chavez
Carlos gives his Nana, Martha, a kiss, grabs his track shoes and runs out the door to his car. He received the car as a gift from
his mother on his 17
th
birthday. It is Monday morning and he does not want to be late for school. Carlos is in his junior year at
Desert High School and is highly competitive on the track team, running in the 300 meter hurdles event. During track season,
practices occur Monday through Thursdays and track meets are on Friday evenings. Carlos’ parents can always be found in the
stands cheering him on!
On Tuesdays after track practice and on Saturdays, he works at the Sunshine Inn where his mother helped him to receive a job
on the maintenance staff working part-time. After working there for the past year, he has an interest in hospitality and is
hoping to earn a position in management soon. During the past year, Carlos has proved his commitment and willingness to
work hard. He has recently received a raise that allows him to save money for items that will help him to achieve his goals.
Carlos has been saving $40.00 per month to support his family. Jorge and María are very proud of Carlos. They recognize that
he will be the first in their family to pursue a higher education degree. The local community college offers an associate degree
in hospitality management that Carlos is currently saving $50.00 per month in a money market account to help pay expenses.
María has worked at the Sunshine Inn as a housekeeper for the past twenty years. She works a set schedule of 9:00 am to 4:30
pm Monday through Saturday. She always has Sunday off and enjoys spending the day with her family. María appreciates the
flexibility of her hours which allows her to take care of Adriana, their six year old daughter who is visually impaired. María is
able to walk her to school each day. Adriana currently attends a public School for the Deaf and Blind. She enjoys participating
in the after school reading and tutoring program. Carlos’ father, Jorge, walks to Adriana’s school after work, picks her up, and
together they take the bus home.
Jorge takes the public bus to work at the local post office as a mail carrier. Jorge’s hours consist of 7:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday
through Saturday. Jorge has Sundays off to spend with his family plus one other rotating day during the week. Because Jorge
leaves for work early in the morning, Carlos’ younger brother, Marco, is walked to the middle school by his Nana who has lived
in their four bedroom home since her husband passed away just over a year ago. Martha helps to take care of the children
before and after school, watches over Adriana and Marco on the weekends, and helps with light housework. María and Jorge
are fortunate to have Nana caring for and sharing stories with their children rather than using an alternative source of
childcare.
On Monday evenings, the entire family loves going to Jorge’s softball games. It has become a tradition for the softball team’s
families to have a potluck barbeque at the park before the game. Carlos enjoys spending time with his family and close friends
from throughout the city at the barbeque.
Although the family is very busy with everyone’s different schedules, they spend Sundays together at their church for mass in
the morning, the church luncheon, and Youth Group Meetings. Carlos is excited about the upcoming ski trip that his youth
group is planning. This Sunday, after the church luncheon, the family plans to go car shopping for a used car for María now
that she has given her car to Carlos. They have a goal of finding a car that will allow enough space for the children to ride
comfortably as well as supplies when the family travels together.
Directions: The following information is a Snapshot on Carlos and his family. Read all information carefully to
make wise decisions when creating a spending plan for the Chavez family.
Snapshot
