Chapter 9: Your First Money Challenge
LESSON GOAL
BY THE END OF THIS LESSON,
you’ll choose a goal you want to reach — like buying something, saving for something big, or giving to a cause — and create a simple budget to help you get there step by step.
💬 let’s break it down
You’ve learned how to earn, save, spend, share, and invest. Now it’s time to put your money skills into action with a real-life challenge. 💪
It starts with a goal — something you want to work toward.
It could be:
Buying a new skateboard 🛹
Saving for a trip ✈️
Donating to your favorite animal shelter 🐾
Starting your first mini business 🧁
Once you’ve picked your goal, it’s time to make a budget — a plan for how you’ll use your money to reach it.
A budget is like a map that helps you:
Know how much your goal will cost 💰
See how much you already have
Decide how much to save each week or month
Stay on track without overspending
Your goal doesn’t have to be big — just something that matters to you. The most important part? Follow your plan and don’t give up!
🧠 ANALOGY: A Budget is Like a GPS
Think of your goal like a destination. A GPS shows you how to get there — step by step, with clear directions. 🗺️
A budget does the same. It helps you avoid wrong turns and reach your goal without getting lost.
🤔 critical thinking questions
What’s one thing you really want to save for right now?
Why is it helpful to write out a budget instead of just “trying to save”?
How could you stay motivated if your goal takes a while to reach?
What’s the difference between a want now and a goal worth waiting for?
✍️ journal entry: “My Next Money Goal”
Write down your next money goal. Then answer:
How much will it cost?
How much do you already have?
How much will you save each week to reach it?
When do you want to reach your goal?
End your entry with this sentence:
“I will reach my goal by sticking to my plan because…”
👨👩👧👦 ACTIVITY WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS: Goal + Budget Tracker
What You’ll Need:
A printable or handmade goal tracker
Markers or stickers
Help from a parent or sibling
What to Do:
Choose your goal and write it at the top.
Break it down into mini steps — like saving $5 each week.
Decorate your tracker and color it in as you go!
Put it somewhere you’ll see every day (like your fridge or bedroom door).
🎯 What This Teaches: Reaching goals takes planning, patience, and consistency — and budgets make it easier (and more fun!).
💵 real-life practice: Start Saving Toward Your Goal
This week, take the first step toward your money goal:
Set aside your first week’s savings
Record it in your tracker
Tell someone about your goal to help stay motivated
🌟 Bonus: Ask a parent to “match” your savings each week as a reward for sticking to your plan!
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