MHCT Session 1.2 Knowledge Check

Which information should the counselor include when creating a budget with the member?

Which statement demonstrates the importance of tracking income and expenses?

Which expense is considered a “want” rather than a “need”?

Which actions should a counselor suggest to a member who is looking for ways to decrease expenses?

Which are effective ways to increase income?

Tiffany’s next appointment is with Lana, a member who recently started a new job and wants to buy a car to cut down on her commute time. Tiffany reviews documents that Lana brought to the counseling session and determines that Lana makes about $1,900 each month after taxes. She pays her bills every month and covers her other expenses, but she never has any money left for savings.

Lana’s commute on the bus takes over an hour, so she wants to buy a car as soon as possible, but she has poor credit and cannot obtain a loan right now. She thinks s can find a reliable car for about $2,000 and has about 20% of the total in the bank from her tax refund. If Lana’s goal is to buy a car within 8 months, what is the minimum amount she needs to save each month?

Tiffany helps determine that with adjustments Lana can set aside $320 each month to buy the car. How many months will she need to save this amount?

Before the end of the counseling session, Tiffany, the counselor, will provide Lana, the member, with a copy of her signed Member Action Plan (MAP). Which information should be included in Lana’s signed Member Action Plan (MAP)?