3.19.4
© Family Economics & Financial Education — November 2007 — Life of…Mandy Gonzales — 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
Mandy Gonzales
It is Friday morning and Mandy is on her way to school. Mandy is a junior at Pueblo High School where she is on the
varsity cheer squad. Tonight is the big homecoming game. Mandy enjoys cheerleading because it helps her to stay in
shape and she enjoys spending time with all of the friends she has made.
At the end of every summer the cheerleading squad goes to a two week camp in California. The cost of the camp is $350
and this includes transportation, housing, and food. Mandy’s parents told her that she must pay for all the costs
associated with her extra-curricular activities. In order to pay for the expenses Mandy works three days a week, including
Saturdays, at the Tasty Freeze a few blocks from her house. Mandy also helps her family by baby– sitting for her sister,
Carmine. Carmine idealizes Mandy. She loves to watch Mandy participate in cheerleading and hopes one day she will
join the squad. The rest of Mandy’s week is reserved for school work, practices, and her church related activities.
Mandy attends St. Francis Catholic Church. She is a part of the church youth group and a member of their choir. This
Sunday, the church youth group is having a bake sale to earn money for the annual youth group weekend retreat.
Mandy’s step-mother Connie is providing the ingredients for rice krispies treats that Mandy must prepare and donate to
be sold. Mandy loves being a part of the church choir. She understands that gaining musical experience will help her to
achieve her goal of attending a local university to become a music teacher. The first big concert is Sunday night. Mandy
must spend $50 on a black knee length skirt, white collared button down shirt, black flats, and a red bow tie for her
concert attire.
Mandy lives with her father Roberto, her step-mother Connie, her three year old-step sister Carmine, brother Bobby,
and grandmother Lolita. In addition to working as a full time construction worker Roberto does side jobs mostly on the
weekends to help meet financial goals within his family. This week Roberto had to decide to not work two jobs so that
he can attend Mandy’s game on Friday and her church concert on Sunday night. He is very proud of his daughter and
feels that by going to her extra curricular events, he is showing her support. Connie is a stay at home mom and takes care
of Carmine. To help with the financial expenses, Connie does clothing alteration from the home.
Roberto and Connie want to turn their storage shed into a workshop for Roberto and Connie’s side jobs. However, this
has to be approved by Roberto’s mother, Lolita. Lolita is very generous to her family but does not like change. Lolita is
in her 70s and is having a slow recovery from surgery and needs help with daily activities. Lolita gave her car to Mandy
and Connie because she cannot drive anymore. Lolita pays for her own health insurance and Roberto and Connie pay
for all other expenses in exchange for Lolita allowing them to live in her home.
Mandy’s older brother dropped out of Pueblo High School earlier this year. He finds it hard to follow the rules of
conventional school. Eventually he wants to earn his GED. Bobby is currently working at a fast food restaurant. Bobby
does not get along with the family because he refuses to help with the household expenses within the household.
Roberto has given him one month to help before he intends on forcing Bobby to move out.
Directions: The following information is a Snapshot on Mandy and her family. Read all information carefully
to make wise decisions when creating a spending plan for the Gonzales family.
Snapshot