Chapter 4: Spending with Intention
LESSON GOAL
BY THE END OF THIS LESSON,
you’ll practice making smart spending choices using real-life scenarios. You’ll learn how to compare options, think through trade-offs, and decide what’s really worth your money — all while having fun!
💬 let’s break it down
Sometimes spending money is easy. You see something you want, and BOOM — you buy it.
But smart spending means thinking first. Asking yourself,
👉 “Would I rather get this now… or wait and get something better?”
👉 “Is this worth my money right now?”
👉 “What am I giving up if I choose this?”
This lesson is all about practicing those money choices in a fun, game-style way: Would You Rather – Money Edition 💸
You’ll see that every money decision is really about what matters most to you. There’s no one right answer — just smarter thinking!
🧠 ANALOGY: Money Choices Are Like Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Books
Remember those stories where you pick what happens next?
Do you take the boat or go through the jungle? 🛶🌴
Money works the same way. Each choice leads you in a different direction — and each one changes your story.
Learning to pause and pick your best path makes all the difference.
🤔 critical thinking questions
Why is it important to compare your options before spending?
Have you ever made a choice you regretted later? What would you do differently now?
How do your goals help you make better money choices?
What does it mean to spend with intention?
✍️ journal entry: “Would I Rather…?”
Write down two things you’ve wanted to buy recently.
Then answer:
Which one would I choose today — and why?
Which one helps me reach a bigger goal?
Would I be okay waiting for the other one?
End with one sentence about how it felt to think it through before deciding.
👨👩👧👦 ACTIVITY WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS: Would You Rather – LIVE Game!
What You’ll Need:
A list of money-based “Would You Rather” questions (you can make your own or use the list below)
2+ players
Optional: a whiteboard or paper to track choices
How to Play:
Take turns asking fun, realistic money questions like:
Would you rather spend $5 on snacks now or save it for a $20 game later?
Would you rather buy a toy today or invest that money to grow it over time?
Everyone shares their choice and explains why.
Talk about how different goals lead to different decisions.
🎯 What This Teaches: There’s no “right” answer — but thinking through your choices makes you a confident spender.
💵 real-life practice: Create Your Own “Would You Rather” List
This week, come up with at least 5 of your own money scenarios.
Think of things you really want or spend money on.
Example:
Would you rather spend your $10 on candy, or put it toward a new backpack?
Write them in your journal or share them with a friend or sibling — then play the game again together!
🌟 Bonus: Try this in real life next time you’re shopping. Ask yourself:
“Would I rather have this now… or save for something better?”
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Add a short summary or a list of helpful resources here.