A major assignment for twelfth grade social science students at a California high school deals with the basic components of survival on one's own. Students must simulate moving out of their parents' home, finding a job, making major household and transportation purchases, buying on credit, investing money, buying insurance, and getting involved in other activities related to economic survival. Students accomplish these tasks by completing a series of biweekly budgets. An element of unexpected occurrences is brought into the simulation through "fate cards" which describe situations such as sickness, taxes, or a mother-in-law moving in. The entire project is enhanced by class businesses such as a class bank and investment brokers. Complete directions and some of the necessary handouts for conducting this simulation are included. (LP)