Chapter 9: Your First Money Challenge
LESSON GOAL
BY THE END OF THIS LESSON,
you’ll take time to celebrate your hard work and reflect on how far you’ve come. You’ll recognize what you’ve built — not just in savings or earnings, but in confidence, skills, and smart money habits.
💬 let’s break it down
You made it to the finish line of your first money challenge — and that’s a BIG deal! 🏁🎉
This lesson is all about looking back and saying, “Whoa, I did that!”
You didn’t just save or spend wisely — you:
Made your first budget
Earned real money
Set goals
Practiced patience
Built habits that will help you forever
And now? It’s time to celebrate. 🎊
Why? Because celebrating helps your brain remember, “This was important. I want to do more of that!”
You also get to reflect — which means asking:
What did I build?
What changed?
What am I most proud of?
Whether you reached your goal or just got closer, you’re now officially a Money Smart Kid — and this is just the beginning.
🧠 ANALOGY: Reflecting is Like Looking at Before-and-After Photos
Think of building something — like a Lego tower or an art project.
The “before” is exciting, but the “after” shows how far you’ve come. 📸
Reflection helps you see your growth — and that’s what motivates you to keep going!
🤔 critical thinking questions
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself during this course?
Which part of the challenge made you feel the most proud?
What surprised you about learning money skills?
What would you teach someone else who’s just starting?
✍️ journal entry: “I Built This”
Look back at everything you’ve done — from your first bucket to your final tracker.
Write (or draw):
What you built (savings, habits, courage, a mini biz!)
What was hard
What you’re proud of
What you want to build next
Then write:
“I am a Money Smart Kid because…”
👨👩👧👦 ACTIVITY WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS: Money Graduation Party 🎓
What You’ll Need:
Certificates, stickers, or homemade awards
A fun snack or mini celebration
A space to reflect together
What to Do:
Set up a “graduation” or celebration for completing the course.
Go around and let each person share:
What they learned
What they built
What they want to do next
Cheer each other on and take a photo to remember it!
🎯 What This Teaches: Celebrating growth helps make learning joyful and memorable — and builds momentum to keep going!
💵 real-life practice: Make a Vision Board for What’s Next
Grab a poster or digital board and create your Money Smart Vision:
What you want to save for
What kind of job or business you want to try
What money habit you want to keep
Add drawings, cut-outs, stickers, or photos to bring your vision to life!
🌟 Bonus: Hang it up and check in with it each month as a reminder of your goals.
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