This could serve as a springboard for writing about or discussing the services that need to continue. Encourage older students to set up a budget for a household. Students could be allotted a certain amount of money to shop from the Internet and pretend to purchase homes, cars, furniture, etc. Encourage younger students to set up a budget for a college savings account. Students can make a line graph showing growth in savings over time.
Students can then write a paragraph or paragraphs.
A student's paragraph might address what students see as priorities for spending.