Life Skills Inventory Independent Living Skills Assessment Tool (Page 2 of 9) in pdf

Category A: Money Management and Consumer Awareness

Basic - Must know 3 of 5 to advance to the next level of accomplishment:

Knows values of coins and currency.

Can make a transaction at a local store and count change.

Has an understanding of the difference between “luxuries” and “necessities” in food, transportation, clothing, housing.

Understands the difference between “sale price” and “regular price”.

Can identify one way to save money on purchases.

Intermediate - Must know 4 of 6 to advance to the next level of accomplishment:

Can open a checking or savings account.

Can write checks/make withdrawals and make deposits.

Can record banking transactions (either checking or savings).

Can budget allowance to last for a week. (Shows some understanding of the concept of saving).

Understands the difference between gross wage and take home pay.

Can use a calculator to add, subtract, divide and multiply.

Advanced - Must know 4 of 6 to advance to the next level of accomplishment:

With assistance can make out monthly budget covering regular expenses for independent living.

Shows some “sales resistance” to “something for nothing” advertising and “low weekly payment” credit plans.

Can read monthly bank statements, compare balances, make adjustments as necessary (deduct service charges,

check fees, adjust for differences in the balance).

Can comparison shop using unit pricing information.

Understands the responsibility of filing tax forms. Knows the information that is required for filing taxes and knows

where to go to get assistance in filing taxes.

Knows how to clip and use coupons.

Exceptional - Must know at least 3 to be rated as exceptional:

Budgets for unanticipated emergencies, seasonal bills, etc.

Understands buying on credit, loans, interest, and late payment penalties.

Understands payroll deductions, taxes, FICA, insurance.

Can complete a short tax form.

Can balance a checkbook.

Has regular savings program.

Category B: Food Management

Basic - Must know at least 3 of 4:

Washes hands before eating and preparing food.

Can order in a cafeteria or fast food restaurant.

Can describe food pyramid and foods that contribute to a healthy life style.

Knows name and use of cooking utensils.

Intermediate - Must be able to do 5 of 8:

Can order a meal from the menu in a restaurant

Can fix a breakfast for one

Can fix a lunch for one

Can fix a dinner for one

Can make out a grocery shopping list

Can use cooking utensils effectively and safely (knives, grater, can opener, potato peeler, egg beater, etc.)

Can use kitchen appliances effectively and safely

Can use acceptable table manners

Advanced - Must know 5 out of 7:

Stores perishable items under refrigeration.

Recognizes signs of spoilage in food.

Can follow the instructions for preparing canned or frozen foods.

Can plan weekly menu of nutritious meals.

Can shop for a week’s menu and stay within a food budget.

Can set the table properly.

Can carry out a grocery-shopping trip (selecting items on the shopping list and paying the cashier).

Exceptional - Must know at least 3:

Prepares recipes from a cookbook.

Can adjust recipes to feed more or less people than called for in the recipes.

Understands how to use dates on food packages to prevent spoilage. (see next page)

Page 2 of 9

LIFE SKILLS INVENTORY

DSHS 10-267 (12/2000)

Life Skills Inventory Independent Living Skills Assessment Tool Page 2

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