Chapter 2: Money Buckets – Where Does Your Money Go?
LESSON GOAL
BY THE END OF THIS LESSON,
you’ll understand how to organize your money using the 4 Bucket System: Save, Spend, Share, and Invest. You’ll learn what each bucket is for and how to start building good money habits every time you get paid or earn something new.
💬 let’s break it down
Imagine getting $10 and running straight to the store to blow it all on candy. 🍭
Feels fun at first… but then the money’s gone. And you didn’t save anything, help anyone, or build anything for the future.
That’s where the 4 Bucket System comes in. It helps you decide where your money should go — not just right now, but for your future too.
Here’s how it works:
🪣 Save – This bucket is for your future goals. Maybe a bike, a trip, or even college someday!
🪣 Spend – This is your fun money. Snacks, games, little treats — things you want now.
🪣 Share – This is for giving. It could be for a cause you care about, a friend in need, or a family donation jar.
🪣 Invest – This bucket is how you grow your money by putting it to work. You might start small, but this is where wealth begins.
When you get money — from chores, gifts, or your own creations — instead of spending it all, you pour it into these buckets. Some now, some later, some for giving, and some that grow.
This is how smart kids build strong money habits for life!
🧠 ANALOGY: buckets are like a balanced meal
Imagine your money is a plate of food. You wouldn’t eat ONLY candy, right? (Okay… maybe you’d want to, but your body wouldn’t be happy.)
Just like your body needs balance, your money does too.
Each bucket is like a food group:
Save = healthy fuel for later
Spend = fun treats for now
Share = nutrients for your heart
Invest = strength for the future
A balanced “money meal” keeps you healthy — financially!
🤔 critical thinking questions
What do you usually do with your money first — save, spend, share, or something else?
Which bucket is hardest for you to fill? Why?
How could having buckets help you make smarter money choices?
What’s one thing you’d love to save up for? What’s something you’d love to invest in?
✍️ journal entry: “WHAT IS IN MY BUCKETS?”
Think about the last $10 you received. How did you use it?
If you had that same $10 again today, how would you divide it between Save, Spend, Share, and Invest?
Draw 4 little buckets and write or draw what would go in each.
👨👩👧👦 ACTIVITY WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS: diy bucket jars
What You’ll Need:
4 empty jars, cups, or containers
Markers or labels
Stickers or decorations (optional!)
How to Play:
Label each jar: Save, Spend, Share, and Invest
Decorate them to make them fun and personal
Start using them every time you receive money
At the end of the week or month, count how much is in each jar and talk about what you could do with it!
🎯 What This Teaches: Money habits start at home — and seeing your buckets grow makes saving and giving more exciting.
💵 real-life practice: “fill your buckets”
This week, any time you get money — from chores, birthdays, or business ideas — try using the 4 Bucket System.
Even if it’s just $4, you can do $1 in each bucket. Or $6? Try $2 for Save, $1 for Spend, $1 for Share, and $2 for Invest.
Start small — the important thing is that you’re practicing!
🌟 Bonus: Ask a parent or older sibling what they do with their money. Do they use “buckets” too?
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