Instructions
Welcome to The Junior Budget Master worksheet! This activity helps you learn how to manage your money wisely by dividing it into three main categories: Spending, Saving, and Sharing.
- Complete Section 1 by sorting items into Needs and Wants.
- Calculate your estimated weekly income in Section 2.
- Use your income and the 50/30/20 rule to complete the Budget Planner in Section 3.
- Solve the multi-step saving goal problem in Section 4.
- Complete the optional Challenge Question for extra credit.
Section 1: Needs vs. Wants
It is important to know the difference between things you need (essential for survival or safety) and things you want (nice extras). Read the list below and place each item in the correct column of the table.
| Item List: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Video Game | Water | Jacket for Winter | Snack Food | Rent/Housing | Comic Book |
| Needs (Essential) | Wants (Extra) |
|---|---|
| Water | New Video Game |
Section 2: Calculating Your Income
How much money do you typically receive in one week? Calculate your weekly income (from allowance, chores, or small jobs).
- Weekly Allowance Amount: $____
- Additional Money Earned (e.g., pet sitting, chores): $____
- Total Weekly Income (Add lines 1 and 2): $____ (A)
Section 3: The 50/30/20 Budget Planner
Financial experts often recommend splitting your income into three parts: 50% for Spending, 30% for Saving, and 20% for Sharing (donating or helping others).
Use your Total Weekly Income (A) from Section 2 to fill out the table below. Use the Example Row to guide your calculation. If your Income (A) is $10, 50% would be $5.00.
| Category | Percentage | Calculation (Percentage * Your Income A) | Resulting Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Example Row: Income = $20 | |||
| Spend (Immediate purchases) | 50% (0.50) | 0.50 * $20 | $10.00 |
| Save (Future goals) | 30% (0.30) | ||
| Share (Donations or gifts) | 20% (0.20) | ||
| Check Total: (Must equal your Income A) | 100% | Total Calculated: | $ |
Section 4: Saving Goal Challenge
Imagine you want to buy a new drone that costs $150. Based on your calculated budget, you decide to put your Save Amount (30% from Section 3) toward this goal every week.
Use your Save Amount (B) from the previous section to solve these problems:
-
Amount Saved Weekly (B): $____
-
How much money will you have saved after 4 weeks? Calculation: 4 weeks * (B) = $____
-
How many full weeks will it take you to save the entire $150 for the drone? (Hint: Divide the total cost by your weekly saving amount). Calculation: $150 / (B) = ____ weeks
-
If you decide to increase your weekly saving amount by $5.00, how many weeks faster will you reach the $150 goal? New Weekly Save Amount: $ (B) + $5.00 = $____ New Weeks to Goal: $150 / (New Amount) = ____ weeks Weeks Saved: (Answer from Q3) - (Answer above) = ____ weeks faster
Challenge Question (Advanced Learners)
In addition to the 50/30/20 rule, sometimes unexpected expenses happen (like needing a new backpack). This is called an Emergency Fund.
If you found $5.00 under your couch cushions, would you Spend it, Save it toward your drone goal, or put it into an Emergency Fund? Explain your reasoning in 2-3 sentences.
Answer Key
| Section 1: Needs vs. Wants | Needs (Essential) | Wants (Extra) |
|---|---|---|
| Water | New Video Game | |
| Jacket for Winter | Snack Food | |
| Rent/Housing | Comic Book |
Section 2: Calculating Your Income (Answers depend on student input.)
| Section 3: The 50/30/20 Budget Planner (Answers depend on student's Income A. Sample based on Income A = $20.) | Category | Percentage | Calculation | Resulting Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spend | 50% (0.50) | 0.50 * A | 0.50 * A | |
| Save (B) | 30% (0.30) | 0.30 * A | 0.30 * A | |
| Share | 20% (0.20) | 0.20 * A | 0.20 * A | |
| Check Total: | 100% | Total Calculated: | A |
Section 4: Saving Goal Challenge (Answers depend on student's Save Amount (B). Sample based on B = $6.00.)
- Amount Saved Weekly (B): $6.00
- After 4 weeks: $6.00 * 4 = $24.00
- Weeks to save $150: $150 / $6.00 = 25 weeks
- New Weekly Save Amount: $6.00 + $5.00 = $11.00 New Weeks to Goal: $150 / $11.00 $\approx$ 13.63 weeks (Round up to 14 full weeks) Weeks Saved: 25 - 14 = 11 weeks faster
Challenge Question *(Accept reasonable answers that show understanding of financial priorities. Example: "I would put it in the Emergency Fund. Even though I want the drone, the Emergency Fund is important for unexpected needs, and $5.00 won't make a big difference in my drone savings.")