Mini Life Lessons: 101 Essential Adulting Skills

How to Adult: 101 Mini Life Lessons breaks important life skills into quick, engaging lessons that spark meaningful conversations and build real-world readiness. With 101 unique slides covering topics like personal finance, social etiquette, housing, time management, safety, and more, this resource makes it easy to weave adulting skills into your day—whether as a warm-up, brain break, exit ticket, or sponge activity.

These bite-sized lessons help students reflect on what they already know, identify skills they want to grow, and feel more prepared for life after high school. From how to schedule a doctor’s appointment to exploring ways to save for retirement, each mini-lesson opens the door to practical, relatable learning in just a few minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

Whether you need a 10-minute activity to fill unexpected time or want a fresh spin on daily warm-ups, these slides are flexible and easy to use. Students can join class discussions, reflect independently, or take the lead by jigsawing slides and teaching their peers. It’s a great option for teachers who want to make life skills instruction more engaging and student-centered—with zero prep required. The included speaker notes offer built-in support, complete with video links, key talking points, and discussion prompts to make facilitation simple.

Plus, the included checklist and optional graphic organizer help students track their learning, reflect on their confidence and readiness, and set goals for real-life practice.

What’s Inside

• 101 Google Slides (or PowerPoint Slides), each focused on a different life skill

• Topics include personal finance, car care, health & safety, home maintenance, and much more! (See full topic list below)

• Speaker Notes with built-in guidance: explanations, video links, discussion questions, and possible student responses.

• Printable Life Skills Checklist: Helps students track what they’ve covered, what they’ve mastered, and what they want to work on.

• Optional Graphic Organizer: For deeper reflection and skill planning (great for student portfolios or transition documentation).

• Teacher instructions and implementation ideas. 

101 Adulting Topics 

Personal Finance

What to Do With Receipts, Product Protection Plans, Income Tax Basics, How to Write a Check, Setting Up Direct Deposit, Understanding Taxes, Basics of Budgeting, How to Check Your Credit, When You Receive a Check, W-2 Form, Paying Bills, Negotiating Salary, Sales Tax, W-4 Form, Investing 101, Retirement Savings, Form 1040, How to Read a Pay Stub, Cash Stash.

Social Norms

Tipping Etiquette, Writing a Thank You Note, Small Talk is a Big Deal, Handshakes - Do’s & Don’ts, Dining at a Fancy Restaurant, Social Etiquette, The Art of Haggling.

Car Care

How to Change a Tire, Fueling Do’s & Don’ts, Windshield Wiper Blades, Car Insurance, Checking Tire Pressure, Car Registration, Jump Starting a Car, Types of Fuel, Car Emergency Kit, Checking Tire Tread, Rental Car Upcharges.

Health & Safety

Filling a Prescription, Making Medical Appointments, When Good Food Goes Bad, Family Evacuation Plan, Sunscreen, Food Safety, Disposing of Medications, Cooking Disasters to Avoid, Catching Zzz’s, Home Emergency Kit, Kitchen Fire Safety, Get a Hobby!, All Other Types of Insurance, Meal Prepping, Good Dental Hygiene.

Life & Practical Skills

How to Make Coffee, Sharpening Knives, Dealing with Stains, How to Book a Flight, How to Tie a Knot, Grocery Shopping 101, Gift Wrapping, Laundry Basics, Starting a Fire, Folding Fitted Sheets, How to Address an Envelope, Basic Sewing, Numbers to Memorize, Telling When Produce is Ripe, Dewrinkling Clothes.

Civic Engagement

How to Register to Vote, Voting, Jury Duty, Fake News

Legal Stuff

So . . . You Got a Ticket, Interacting with LEOs, Creating a Will, Identity Theft, Calling 9-1-1

Technology

Backing Up Your Data, Smishing, Passphrases, Browsing Safely, Vishing, App Safety, Email Scams, Setting Up an Email Account, Oversharing on Social Media, Cell Phone Batteries, Subscriptions

Home Maintenance

Preventing Frozen Pipes, How to Handle a Leak, Getting Rid of Stuff, Electrical Safety, Circuit Breakers, Smoke Detector Safety, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Dryer Lint & Fire Safety, Home Cleaning Schedule, Gutter Care, Power Outages, Essentials for Your New Place, Daylight Saving Time, Change of Address

Take a peek at this preview for a closer look, or head to my store to get your copy of How to Adult: 101 Mini Life Lessons today!