Chapter 3: Smart Saving – Pay Yourself First
LESSON GOAL
BY THE END OF THIS LESSON,
you’ll understand what saving is, why it’s important, and how it helps you prepare for the future. You’ll also start building the habit of putting money aside before you spend — this is called “paying yourself first.”
💬 let’s break it down
Saving means not spending all your money right away. It means putting some of it aside so you can use it later — for something big, important, or special.
Think of it like this: When you save, you’re giving a gift to your future self.
Your future self might want a new bike, a trip, college, or even a business one day. But that future you needs money — and saving is how you start getting ready.
Saving helps you:
Be ready for surprises
Reach your goals faster
Feel proud and in control
Say YES to big things later, even if you say NO to small things now
And here’s something smart people do: they save first, and then use that money to invest or spend with a plan. They don’t just spend everything they get — they give their money a job.
🧠 ANALOGY: Saving is Like Planting Seeds
Imagine you eat all your apples now 🍎
Yum! But when they’re gone… they’re gone.
But if you save some seeds and plant them, those seeds can grow into apple trees — which give you even more apples later.
Saving money is like planting seeds. You might not see the results right away, but if you keep saving, you’ll grow something big and amazing.
🤔 critical thinking questions
What would happen if you never saved your money?
Why is it sometimes hard to save when you really want to spend?
How would saving help you feel in an emergency?
What are you excited to save for right now?
✍️ journal entry: “Dear Future Me…”
Write a short letter to your future self.
What do you hope you’ve saved for? How will it feel when you reach your savings goal?
Then write one small thing you can start doing this week to make that goal real.
👨👩👧👦 ACTIVITY WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS: Saving Storytime
What You’ll Need:
A grown-up to talk to
Paper and pens (optional)
What to Do:
Ask your parent, grandparent, or family friend:
“What’s something you saved up for when you were younger?”Ask: “Was it easy or hard? Was it worth it?”
Share your own savings goal and ask what tips they have for you.
🎯 What This Teaches: Everyone has to start somewhere — and saving gets easier when you learn from people you trust.
💵 real-life practice: Start a “Save First” Habit
This week, whenever you receive money, try saving first — even just $1.
Use a jar, envelope, or savings app (with a parent) to stash it away.
At the end of the week, count how much you saved — and give yourself a high five! 🖐️
🌟 Bonus: Create a “Savings Goal Chart” and color in your progress each time you add more.
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Add a short summary or a list of helpful resources here.