Money Smart Kids

Long ago, people traded things like bread for eggs. But what if the egg person didn’t want bread? That’s why money was created — a tool everyone could use to trade fairly. In this lesson, you’ll discover what money really is, how it started, and why it matters in your life today. You’ll even imagine a world without money and try a fun trade game with your family!

There are two ways to make money — earning and creating. Earning is when you do a job someone gives you, like washing the car. Creating is when you come up with your own idea, like selling bracelets. Both are awesome, but creating income means you're thinking like a boss! In this lesson, you’ll explore both and start building your own ideas.

Knowing the difference between needs and wants helps you spend money wisely. Needs are things you must have to live, like food and clothes. Wants are fun extras, like candy or toys. In this lesson, you’ll practice telling them apart and learn how smart spending starts with planning for your needs first — then saving up for the fun stuff.

Money isn’t the goal — it’s a tool that helps you do great things. You can use money to help others, create something special, or reach a goal. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to think about money as a tool in your toolbox, not just something to collect. You’ll also dream up ways to use money to build a better world around you.

The 4 Bucket System helps you decide where your money goes: Save for future goals, Spend for fun, Share to help others, and Invest to grow your money. In this lesson, you’ll learn what each bucket is for, create your own money jars, and start building strong habits every time you earn, find, or receive money.

A budget is like a plan for your money. In this lesson, you’ll create your own budget using the 4 Bucket System: Save, Spend, Share, and Invest. You’ll decide how to split your money in a way that helps you reach your goals, and you’ll practice building smart habits by planning before spending.

Setting goals for your Save, Spend, Share, and Invest buckets helps you use money on purpose. In this lesson, you’ll choose simple goals for each bucket, learn how to track your progress, and start growing the habits that turn your dreams into real results. Money moves faster when it has a mission!

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to create a weekly money tracker so you always know where your money is going. Tracking helps you stay on top of your Save, Spend, Share, and Invest buckets, avoid waste, and reach your goals faster. Smart kids don’t guess where their money went — they track it like pros!

Saving means putting money aside for later instead of spending it all now. In this lesson, you’ll learn why saving is important, how it helps your future self, and how to build the habit of saving first. It’s not about saying “no” to fun — it’s about saying “yes” to something even bigger down the road.

Some savings are for soon, and some are for later. In this lesson, you’ll learn the difference between short-term and long-term savings, how to plan for both, and how to stay motivated when you’re saving for something big. Smart savers balance fun now and dreams for the future.

Interest is when your money earns more money just by being saved! In this lesson, you’ll learn how interest works, why it helps your money grow faster, and how to try it out at home with Mom’s Bank. Saving early + letting it grow = money magic over time.

In this lesson, you’ll create your own savings plan and tracker to reach your money goals step by step. Big dreams become possible when you break them down into smaller pieces, and tracking your progress helps you stay excited, focused, and proud of how far you’ve come!

Smart spenders know how to choose what matters most. In this lesson, you’ll learn that you can have anything — just not everything. You’ll practice making intentional choices, saying “yes” to your priorities, and understanding that every dollar spent is a decision. Spend with purpose!

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to be a smart shopper — even for snacks! You’ll practice comparing prices, spotting the best deals, and avoiding quick buys that aren’t worth it. It’s not about spending less — it’s about spending better so your money goes further and gets you what you really want.

A spending plan helps you use your money on purpose instead of guessing or making quick decisions. In this lesson, you’ll create a simple plan for your Spend bucket, choose what matters most, and practice sticking to it — so your money goes to things that really matter to YOU.

In this lesson, you’ll practice being a smart spender by playing “Would You Rather” — money style! You’ll compare options, think about trade-offs, and learn how to make decisions that help you reach your goals. Spending with intention starts with asking the right questions.

Investing means using your money to buy something that can grow in value over time — like a piece of a business. In this lesson, you’ll learn how investing is different from saving, why it takes patience, and why starting young gives you the superpower to grow your money while you sleep!

Investing isn’t always smooth — it comes with ups (rewards) and downs (risks). In this lesson, you’ll learn what risk really means, how to stay patient during the dips, and why waiting it out can lead to big rewards. Smart investors don’t panic — they plan, stay calm, and trust the long-term process.

In this fun lesson, you’ll play a mini stock market game to learn how investing works. You’ll pick pretend companies, track how their prices change, and practice thinking like a real investor. It’s not about winning — it’s about learning how the market moves and how to stay calm and focused when it does.

Compound interest is when you earn interest on your interest — and it helps your money grow faster the longer you leave it alone. In this lesson, you’ll see how small amounts can turn into big results over time, and why starting early is like giving your money a superpower. Let’s watch your money snowball!

Giving is more than just handing someone money — it’s a way to spread kindness, help others, and make the world a better place. In this lesson, you’ll learn why giving matters, how it helps you grow as a person, and how small actions from your Share bucket can create big change.

Giving isn’t just about money — it’s about using your time, talents, and heart to help others. In this lesson, you’ll explore how to give in different ways, from sharing your time to creating special gifts. You’ll learn that kindness can grow in many forms — and every little act makes a big impact.

In this lesson, you’ll choose a cause or project to support using your Share bucket. Whether it’s helping animals, the environment, or people in need, you’ll learn how to give with purpose. Giving becomes even more meaningful when you care deeply about who or what you’re helping.

In this lesson, you’ll create your very own Giving Plan using your Share bucket. You’ll decide how much, how often, and who you want to help — turning kind thoughts into real action. Giving becomes a habit when you plan ahead, and even small, regular acts of kindness can change the world.

Chores and jobs both help you grow — but they’re not the same. In this lesson, you’ll learn the difference between responsibilities you do as part of your family and extra work you can do to earn money. Knowing the difference is the first step to earning like a boss!

A Family Job Board is a fun and fair way to earn money at home. In this lesson, you’ll create your own board with real jobs (not chores), decide what each is worth, and learn how to take initiative just like in the real world. It’s time to earn like a boss — right from your living room.

You don’t have to wait to be a grown-up to start earning money. In this lesson, you’ll explore fun ways to earn by reading, creating, or helping others. Whether you love to bake, organize, craft, or care — your passions and talents can turn into income when you share them with others.

A pitch is how you confidently share your business idea with the world. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to clearly explain what you offer, why it’s valuable, and how someone can say “yes” to your job or service. When you pitch like a pro, you earn like a boss!

A contract is a simple agreement that helps two people stay clear, fair, and on the same page. In this lesson, you’ll learn what a contract is, why it matters (even for kids), and how to create one before doing a job so everyone knows what to expect.

In this lesson, you’ll write your first real contract with your parent or guardian. You’ll learn how to clearly agree on a job, set expectations, and build trust with a written plan. It’s a big step toward becoming a responsible, confident kidpreneur!

Your time, skills, and energy are valuable — even as a kid! In this lesson, you’ll learn how to figure out what your work is worth, how to price it fairly, and how to feel confident asking to be paid. Knowing your worth is part of becoming a smart, empowered young entrepreneur.

Negotiation is the art of speaking up and finding a deal that works for both people. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to ask for what you’re worth, respond with confidence, and create win-win situations — all while being respectful and kind. Confidence is your superpower!

Setting a goal and making a budget is the first step to turning your money dreams into real life. In this lesson, you’ll choose something you want to work toward and create a plan to get there — one dollar at a time. Goals feel awesome when you earn them!

Tracking your money helps you see where it’s going — and how fast it’s growing. In this lesson, you’ll learn to keep score of your income, expenses, and savings so you can make smarter choices and stay on top of your goals. Watching your progress feels powerful!

Looking back helps you move forward. In this lesson, you’ll celebrate your money wins, reflect on what you’ve learned, and think about what you want to do next. Every goal reached, every dollar tracked, and every lesson learned brings you closer to being money smart for life!

You did it! In this final lesson, you’ll celebrate everything you’ve learned and reflect on what you built — from smart habits to real savings. Being money smart isn’t about being perfect; it’s about learning, growing, and believing in yourself. You’re ready for what’s next!