Chapter 4: Spending with Intention
LESSON GOAL
BY THE END OF THIS LESSON,
you’ll learn how to make a simple spending plan so you can use your money on purpose. You’ll discover how to plan ahead, avoid impulse buys, and feel confident about every dollar you spend.
💬 let’s break it down
You know what feels awesome? Having money and knowing exactly what you’re going to do with it.
That’s what a spending plan is — a little roadmap for your money. Instead of guessing or making quick decisions, you decide before you spend.
It’s not the same as a budget (which includes all your buckets). This is just a plan for your spend bucket.
Let’s say you get $10 for your Spend bucket. A spending plan might look like this:
$3 for snacks
$2 for a new keychain
$5 saved for a toy next week
You’re still having fun — but now it’s on purpose.
With a plan, you don’t waste money on stuff you forget about two minutes later. You choose things that really matter to you. And when you stick to the plan? You feel proud and in control!
🧠 ANALOGY: A Spending Plan is Like a Grocery List
Ever gone grocery shopping when you’re hungry and didn’t bring a list? 😅 You end up with 3 bags of chips and no actual dinner.
A spending plan is like a list for your money. It helps you stick to what matters and not fill your cart with things you didn’t really need.
🤔 critical thinking questions
Have you ever spent money on something random and wished you’d saved it?
How could a spending plan help you feel more in control?
What’s one thing you really want to spend on this month?
Can a spending plan still include fun stuff? Why or why not?
✍️ journal entry: “My Plan, My Money”
Think about how much money is in your Spend bucket this week.
Make a short plan for how you want to use it.
Write down:
How much you have
What you plan to spend it on
Why those choices matter to you
Optional: Leave room to check off what you actually spent and reflect at the end of the week!
👨👩👧👦 ACTIVITY WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS: Plan It, Then Shop It
What You’ll Need:
A small amount of Spend money (even $5 works!)
A store or market to visit
Paper to write your plan
What to Do:
Before going shopping, make a spending plan together.
Talk about what you want, what you really want, and what can wait.
Go to the store and stick to your plan!
Talk about how it felt afterward — easy, hard, or just right?
🎯 What This Teaches: Planning ahead makes shopping easier and builds the habit of intentional spending.
💵 real-life practice: Weekly Spending Plan Check-In
Each week, do a “Spending Plan Check-In.”
How much do you have in your Spend bucket?
What do you want to use it for this week?
What will you save for next week?
Write it down in a notebook, tracker, or even a whiteboard you update weekly.
🌟 Bonus: Reward yourself (with a sticker, high five, or tiny treat) when you stick to your plan!
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