📖

Creating a Simple Budget

Economics: Earning, Saving, and Spending

Day 115of 180
Week 23of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand what a budget is

2

Learn to divide money into give, save, and spend categories

3

Practice making simple financial decisions

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 21:5

“The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.”

— Proverbs 21:5 (WEB)

This verse teaches us that careful planning helps us use money wisely

📦 Materials Needed

  • Colorful envelopes
  • Play money
  • Budget worksheet
  • Crayons or markers
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather children and explain that today we'll learn how to make a simple budget - a special plan for money

💭 Review Question: What are three things we can do with money?
2Teaching (8 min)

A budget helps us decide ahead of time how to use our money wisely. We can divide money into three important areas: giving to God, saving for later, and spending on things we need

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Giving helps others and shows love for God
  • Saving helps us be prepared for future needs
  • Spending carefully helps us use money responsibly
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What might you want to save money for?
  • How can giving money help others?
  • What are some things you really need versus just want?
3Activity: Three Envelope Budget Game (10 min)
hands-on

Children create a simple budget using envelopes to divide play money

📝 Instructions:
  1. Give each child three envelopes
  2. Label envelopes: 'Give', 'Save', 'Spend'
  3. Distribute play money
  4. Help children divide money between envelopes
  5. Discuss their choices
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-divide money for younger children

Challenge: Let children decide percentages for each category

4Closing (2 min)

Review what we learned about budgeting

📝 Review Questions:
  • What are the three things we can do with money?
  • Why is it important to plan how we use money?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, help us be wise with the money You give us and use it to honor You

Coming up: Next week, we'll learn more about how people earn money

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 21:5

“The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit”

— Proverbs 21:5 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Budget Verse Hop: Children jump forward when saying each word of the verse

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Teaching financial literacy early helps children develop biblical stewardship habits

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use real-life examples
  • Encourage giving as a priority
  • Be patient with financial learning
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might struggle with delayed gratification and wanting to spend immediately

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Understanding of basic money management concepts

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a savings goal chart at home
  • Practice counting money
  • Discuss family budget together

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 116 →Back to History & Social Studies