Spending Smarts
Why is it smart to compare prices before buying something?
To make sure you get the best deal and don’t spend too much.
You have $10. What is the best way to plan how to spend it?
Use the 50/30/20 rule to decide how much to save and how much to spend on different things.
What does “sale” mean in a store?
Something is being sold for less than usual.
Why is it better to wait a day before buying something?
It helps you decide if you really want it and avoid impulse buying.
You have $10. Your friend wants to go to the arcade for $7. You also want a toy that costs $10. What should you do?
Save your money for the toy if it’s more important to you.
What’s the difference between cheap and good value?
Cheap is low price, but good value lasts longer or works better.
You earn $5 a week. You want a toy that costs $40. How many weeks will you need to save?
8 weeks
A store puts a big sign saying “SALE!” What does this mean?
Some items are being sold for a lower price than usual.
You can buy one big thing or three small things—how do you decide?
Think about what’s most important or gives the most value.
You want a game, but your sibling wants a family pizza night—what’s smarter?
If you don't have any food, pizza party. If you could have other things for dinner, the game. Decide which is more important or save for both later.
What does it mean to “get your money’s worth”?
The item was worth the money you spent.
Why is it smart to write down what you spend?
So you know where your money goes and can plan better.
How can reading reviews help you spend smart?
You can see if the item is worth the money before buying it.
You lost your water bottle—buy a new one right away or borrow one?
Borrow or use what you have until you save for a new one.
You see a “limited time offer” for a book for $15. You only have $15 and also need to save money for a field trip next week. What should you do?
Don’t buy the book. Smart spending means sticking to your savings plan.
How can you tell if something is a good deal or just on sale?
Check the price, quality, and if you really need it.
What’s an example of saving for a long-term goal?
Saving allowance for a big toy or game instead of spending it all at once.
You want something online. You read reviews and see many people say the item breaks easily. What do you think you should do?
Don’t buy it—it’s not a good value.
What does it mean to avoid an impulse buy?
Not buying something immediately just because you feel like it.
You have $20 saved for lunch this week. You see a “deal” for a new lunch item that costs $25. Should you buy it?
No. Smart spending means not overspending beyond what you have.
Before buying something, what is one smart question to ask yourself?
"Do I really need this?"
How do people make trade-offs when budgeting?
They choose to buy one thing now and save for something else later.
You want a new backpack. One store sells it for $40 with free shipping, and another sells it for $35 but charges $8 for shipping. Which one is the better deal, and why?
The $40 backpack with free shipping is the better deal because $35 + $8 = $43, which costs more in total.
You have $20 saved. You planned to buy a board game for $18 this week. At the store, you see a toy on sale for $15 that looks really fun. Should you buy the toy, the board game, or wait? Explain the smart choice.
The smart choice is to buy the board game (your original plan) or wait. This is because smart spending means sticking to your goal and not spending impulsively, even if a deal looks tempting.
You have $30 saved. You want to spend $15 on lunch this week and $20 on a school field trip next month. You see an online “deal” for $20 on a snack pack. What is the smartest choice, and why?
Do not buy the snack pack. Smart spending means sticking to your budget and prioritizing your planned goals instead of spending impulsively. This choice helps you have enough for both lunch and the field trip.