The Principles of Money

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JAIDHAN

The
Principles of

THE FOUNDATION FOR FINANCIAL GROWTH AND WEALTH CREATION.

Part I
I
Think of this book as your cheat sheet to financial
freedom—because who doesn't want to be the one
laughing all the way to the bank?

JAIDHAN

II
Dear Readers,

Welcome to a journey of financial wisdom crafted just for you. This


book is divided into two essential parts: Part I and Part II.

In Part I, you'll discover the art of earning money. Whether you're


looking to learn about the basics of finance, start a business, find a job,
or explore creative ways to boost your income, this section will provide
you with practical tips and strategies to get you started on the path to
financial success.

Part II is all about protecting your money. Here, you'll learn how to
manage your finances wisely, save effectively, and invest smartly to
ensure that your hard-earned money grows and stays safe over time.

This book is designed to be accessible and engaging for readers aged 11


and above. Studies from New Port Academy highlight that children
between the ages of 9 and 12 experience significant cognitive growth.
This period is crucial for developing the foundation for future learning
and social development, shaping cognitive abilities, social interactions,
and physical growth. By embracing a perspective suitable for an 11-
year-old, you'll find that the concepts presented here become clearer
and more relatable, helping you build a strong understanding of
essential financial topics.

The language throughout the book is simple and sweet, making it easy
to understand and enjoyable to read. We believe that learning about
money should be fun and empowering for everyone.

Enjoy the journey and remember: money talks, and


soon, you'll be fluent.
Happy scheming!

III
YOUR JOURNEY.

PART I

RIDING THE WAVES

Money Basics: More Than Just Coins and Bills

The Power of Earning: Your First Step to Wealth

Smart Saving: Building Your Treasure Chest

Investing: Growing Your Money Garden

Budgeting: Your Money Roadmap

PART II

AGAINST THE CURRENT

Taming Debt: Keeping the Monster in Check

Protecting Your Money: Fort Knox for Your Finances

Giving Back: The Joy of Sharing

Future Planning: Your Financial Crystal Ball

Putting It All Together: Your Journey to Financial Mastery

IV
Your
Financial Bundle.

V
MONEY IS LIKE
A MAGIC KEY
—IT CAN
UNLOCK
DREAMS IF
YOU LEARN
HOW TO USE IT
WISELY!

JAIDHAN

VI
CONTENTS

PART I

1 Money Basics: Beyond Coins and Bills 1

2 The Power of Earning: Your First Step to Wealth 6

3 Smart Saving: Building Your Treasure Chest 11

4 Investing: Growing Your Money Garden 17

5 Budgeting: Your Money Roadmap 24

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

VII
PART I

RIDING THE WAVES

“It isn't by getting out of the world that


we become enlightened, but by getting
into the world…by getting so tuned in
that we can ride the waves of our
existence and never get tossed because we
become the waves.”

― Ken Kesey, Kesey's Garage Sale

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

VIII
Fun Fact: The First Coins-around 600 BC.

Did you know the first coins were made in Lydia, now part of Turkey,
around 600 BC? They were made of gold and silver and stamped with
pictures to show their value. Imagine carrying those shiny coins
around!

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

1
CHAPTER 1

MONEY BASICS

What is Money, Really?


At first glance, money might just look like pieces of paper and
metal coins. But money is much more than that. Money is a tool
that helps us buy things we need and want, like food, toys, clothes,
and even services like a haircut or a fun trip to the amusement
park. Money can also represent security, freedom, and
opportunities for the future.

The History of Money


To understand money better, let’s take a quick trip back in time.
Long ago, people didn't have money. Instead, they used a system
called bartering. For example, if you had extra apples and needed
bread, you’d find someone who had bread and wanted apples, and
you’d trade. This system had problems because sometimes people
couldn't find someone who wanted what they had to trade. So,
people invented money as a solution.

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2
Money Around the World
Money can look very different depending on where we are in the
world. In the United States, we use dollars. In Europe, many
countries use euros. In Japan, they use the yen. But no matter
what it looks like, money serves the same purpose everywhere: it
makes trade easier.

How Money is Made


Have you ever wondered where the money comes from? In
the United States, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
produces paper money, while the U.S. Mint makes coins.
These places use special machines to print and stamp
money with unique designs, making it hard to copy.

Why Do We Need Money?


Medium of Exchange: Money helps us buy and sell things
easily. Instead of trading apples for bread, you can just use
money.
Store of Value: Money can be saved and used in the future. If
you earn $10 today, you can spend it next week or next year.
Unit of Account: Money helps us measure the value of things.
If a toy costs $10 and a book costs $5, you know the toy is
worth more.

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3
Real-Life Examples of Money Use
Let’s look at some real-life
examples to see how money
works in our daily lives.
Allowance: Imagine your
parents give you $10 each
week for doing chores or
pocket money. You can
choose to save this money
for your goals, like buying
a bicycle, and more.

Shopping: When you go to the store, you use money to buy


things. If you have $20 and you buy a $15 toy, you’ll have $5
left.
Savings Account: If you put your money in a savings account
at a bank, the bank keeps it safe and even adds a little extra
money to it over time. This is called interest.

Interesting Numbers About Money


Over 75% of parents paid their children an
allowance in 2022, with kids earning
[1]
$19.39 per week on average.
Poor financial literacy skills in 18-34 year
olds lead to paying more interest on
credit card debt, penalty fees, and being
twice as likely to miss mortgage payments
or take hardship withdrawals from
retirement accounts.[2]
Research shows that people who start
saving at a young age are more likely to
be financially successful adults.
Did you know that there are over 1.7
trillion dollars in circulation in the United
States? That’s a lot of money!

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

1. NatWest MoneySense: "Six money habits to practise in front of your children" -


4
2. Frontiers: "Young children associate buying with feeling richer" - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frbhe.2023.1293694/full
Money in the Digital Age
Today, money isn’t just physical. We also have digital money.
Have you ever heard of Bitcoin? It’s a type of cryptocurrency,
which is digital money that exists only online. People use it to buy
things just like regular money. There are also apps like PayPal and
Venmo that let you send and receive money through your phone
or computer.

Why Learning About


Money is Important?
Understanding money can help
you make smart choices. It can
help you save for things you
want, like a bike or a new
phone, and prepare for the
future, like saving for college.
Knowing how to manage money
can also help you avoid debt
and stress.

In this book, you'll learn about the basic principles of money with
activities that will help you grow and nurture your financial skills.
Each chapter will guide you through different aspects of money,
from earning and saving to investing and planning for the future.
By understanding these principles, you’ll be well on your way to
becoming financially savvy.

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

5
Fun Fact: Teen Entrepreneurs

Did you know that about 41% of teens in the U.S. have considered
starting their own business? According to a survey by Junior
Achievement USA, teens are more interested than ever in
entrepreneurship. This shows that kids your age are already thinking
about how to earn money and build their futures.

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

6
CHAPTER 2

THE POWER OF EARNING

Welcome back to our financial adventure! In the last chapter, we


learned that money is much more than just coins and bills. Now,
we’re going to explore the first big step in your journey to
financial success: earning money. Let’s dive in and see how
earning money can set you on the path to wealth!

What Does It Mean to Earn Money?


Earning money means receiving money in exchange for doing
work or providing a service. Think about it like this: you’re
trading your time and effort for money. This can happen in
many ways, and there’s no one right way to earn money.

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Why Earning Money is Important
Earning money is the foundation of financial independence.
When you earn your own money, you have the power to make
choices about how to use it. This can lead to more freedom and
opportunities in your life.

Ways to Earn Money


Let’s explore some fun and interesting ways
kids your age can start earning money:

1 Allowance: Many kids start earning


money through an allowance. This is
money your parents give you regularly,
often in exchange for doing chores around
the house.
Example: Cleaning your room, washing
dishes, or taking out the trash could earn
you a weekly allowance.

2 Pocket Money: This is similar to an


allowance, but it might be given to you for
specific needs or just as a weekly or
monthly sum to manage on your own. It’s a
great way to learn budgeting.
Example: Your parents might give you $5 a
week to spend on snacks, toys, or save for
something bigger.

3 Starting Your Own Business: Creating


your own small business is a fantastic way
to earn money and learn valuable skills.
Here are a few ideas:
Babysitting
Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
Lemonade Stand or Bake Sale
Yard Work

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8
How to Set Realistic Goals.
Setting goals can help you stay motivated to
earn money. Here are some steps to help
you set and achieve your financial goals:

1 Identify Your Goal: What do you want to


save up for? Maybe it’s a new bike, a video
game, or even saving for college.

2 Set a Target Amount: How much money


do you need to achieve your goal?

3 Make a Plan: Decide how you’re going to


earn the money. Will you do chores,
babysit, or run a lemonade stand?

4 Track Your Progress: Keep a record of


how much money you’ve earned and how
close you are to reaching your goal.

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Activity
Activity: Create Your Business Plan

To help you get started, try creating a simple business plan for
the way you want to earn money. Here’s how:

1. Choose Your Business Idea: What do you want to do? (e.g.,


lemonade stand, dog walking)
2. Identify Your Costs: Identify the market cost of your
business product or service in the outside world so you can
value it better.
3. List What You Need: Make a list of supplies or tools you’ll
need.
4. Set Your Prices: How much will you charge for your
service or product based on the service cost you’ve
identified?
5. Plan Your Time: Decide when you’ll work on your
business.
6. Set a Goal: How much money do you want to earn by a
certain date?

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Fun Fact: future millionaires

A study found that kids who start saving early are more likely to
become financially secure adults. It's like planting a tree that grows
stronger over time.

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11
CHAPTER 3

SMART SAVING

Hey there, money adventurers! Welcome to Chapter 3, where we


dive into the exciting world of saving money. Think of saving as
building your very own treasure tree—one that keeps growing
over time and helps you achieve your dreams!

Why Saving is Super Important


Before we jump into the how, let’s understand the why. Saving
money isn’t just about putting coins in a piggy bank (though
that’s a great start!). It's about making sure you have enough for
emergencies, big purchases, and your future.

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12
Here are some cool reasons
why saving is smart:
Safety Net: Imagine your bike
gets a flat tyre. If you’ve been
saving, you can fix it without
stress.

Big Dreams: Want a new video


game, a trip, or even college
savings? Saving helps you reach
those big goals.

Independence: Saving gives you


the freedom to make choices
without always needing to ask
for money.

The Basics of Money


Before we get deeper into saving, let’s quickly go over some
money basics:

Income: This is the money you earn, like from chores,


allowances, or a part-time job.
Expenses: This is the money you spend, like on snacks,
toys, or apps.
Budget: A plan that helps you decide how to spend and save
your money wisely.

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13
The Power of Saving: Real-Life Examples
Let's look at some real-life examples and numbers to see the
power of saving:

The Lemonade Stand Story:


Imagine you run a lemonade stand.
You make $10 a week. If you save
just $2 each week, you’ll have $104
by the end of the year!
That’s enough to buy a new
skateboard or save for something
bigger.

The 52-Week Challenge:


This is a fun challenge where you save $1 the
first week, $2 the second week, and so on.
By the end of the year, you’ll have saved
$1,378!

Track Your Savings:


Keep a savings journal or use an app to
track how much you’ve saved.
Example: Make a chart to color in each
time you save money.

Avoid Impulse Buying:


Before buying something, wait a few
days to see if you still want it.
Example: Make a list of things you want
and review it after a week to see if you
still want those items.

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Fun with Saving
Saving doesn’t have to be boring. Here
are some fun ways to save:

Saving Games: Turn saving into a


game. Compete with friends or
siblings to see who can save more in
a month.

Creative Jars: Decorate jars for


different savings goals. Drop in coins
and watch them fill up.

Family Saving Goals: Work with


your family on a big goal, like a
vacation. Everyone can contribute
and share the excitement.

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Activity
Activity: Build Your Treasure Chest
Materials Needed:
1. Three Jars or Containers: Label them as “Savings,” “Spending,” and
“Sharing.”
2. Stickers and Markers: For decorating your jars.
3. Play Money: You can use real coins and bills, or create your own play
money.
4. Goal Chart: A piece of paper or a poster board to track your savings goals.

Steps to Build Your Treasure Chest:


1 Decorate Your Jars:
Take your three jars or containers and decorate them with stickers,
markers, and any other craft supplies you have.
Label one jar “Savings,” another “Spending,” and the third “Sharing.”
2. Set Your Goals:
Think about what you want to save for. It could be a new toy, a book, a
gift for a friend, or even a donation to a cause you care about.
Write down your goals on your Goal Chart.
3. Divide Your Money:
Whenever you receive money (allowance, birthday money, etc.), divide
it among your three jars. A good rule of thumb is to put:
50% in the Savings jar.
40% in the Spending jar.
10% in the Sharing jar.
For example, if you get $10, put $5 in Savings, $4 in Spending, and $1 in
Sharing.
4. Track Your Progress:
Use your Saving Adventure Logbook to keep track of how much
money you’re putting into each jar.
Write down the date and the amount you add to each jar every time
you save.
Reflect on your progress each week. How close are you to your goals?
What have you learned about saving so far?

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

16
Fun Facts and Figures

According to a study by Fidelity Investments, people who started


investing at age 22 could have nearly twice as much money by
retirement as those who start at age 32.
Did you know that over the past 30 years, the stock market has grown
by about 10% each year on average? That means if you invested $100 in
the stock market 30 years ago, it could be worth around $1,745 today!

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

17
CHAPTER 4

INVESTING

Imagine you have a small garden. To make it flourish, you


need to plant seeds, water them, and give them sunlight. Over
time, these seeds grow into beautiful flowers, delicious fruits,
or tall trees. Investing your money is a lot like gardening. You
start with a small amount of money (seeds), take care of it
wisely, and over time, it grows into something much bigger.

Why Invest?
Investing is one of the best ways to make your money grow.
Instead of just keeping your money in a piggy bank where it
doesn’t change, investing helps it increase in value. This way,
you can reach your dreams faster—whether it’s buying a new
bike, saving for college, or even starting your own business
one day.

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

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The Basics of Investing
Before diving into the world of investing, let’s cover some
important basics:

1 What is Investing? Investing means


putting your money into something
(like stocks, bonds, or real estate) with
the hope that it will grow over time
and earn you more money.
How Does Investing Work? When you
invest in something, you buy a
small part of it. If that thing
becomes more valuable, so does
your investment.

For example, if you buy a share of a


company (stock), and that company
does well, the value of your share
goes up.

2 The Magic of Compounding?


Compounding is when your
money earns money, and then you
earn more on your initial money
plus the money it already earned.
Albert Einstein called it the "eighth
wonder of the world" because it
can grow your money significantly
over time.

Imagine saving $100 with a 5%


interest rate; after the first year,
you have $105, and by the second
year, you earn interest on $105,
giving you a total of $110.25.
Illustrating how your money
grows faster over time.

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

19
What is Paper Trading?
Imagine playing a video game where
you get to practice something cool
without any risk. Paper trading is
kind of like that but for the stock
market! Instead of using real money
to buy and sell stocks, you use
pretend money. This way, you can
learn how trading works without
worrying about losing any real
money.

How Does It Work?


1. Pretend Money: You start with a fake amount of money. Let’s say you
have $10,000 of pretend money to play with.
2. Pick Stocks: You choose real stocks to buy and sell, just like in the real
stock market. For example, you might decide to "buy" shares of a
company like Apple or Google.
3. Track Your Trades: You write down or use an app to track your
pretend trades. You see how much your fake investments go up or
down over time.
4. Learn from Mistakes: Because it’s all pretend, you can make and learn
from mistakes without any real risk. If you pick a stock that goes down,
it’s okay because you didn’t lose any real money.

Why is it Called Paper Trading?


A long time ago, before computers
were common, people would
practice trading by writing their
trades on paper. They’d write
down which stocks they "bought"
and "sold," and then they’d track
how those stocks performed over
time. Even though we have cool
apps and websites now, the name
"paper trading" stuck around!

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Why Should You Try Paper Trading?
1. Learn the Ropes: It’s a great way to learn how the stock market works. You
can see how different stocks behave and understand what makes their
prices go up or down.
2. No Risk: Since you’re not using real money, there’s no risk of losing
anything. It’s a safe way to learn.
3. Build Confidence: By practising with pretend money, you’ll gain
confidence. When you’re ready, you’ll feel more prepared to trade with
real money.

Fun Activity: Start Paper Trading!


Let’s try it out! Here’s how you can
start paper trading at home:
1. Get Some Paper or Use an App: You can
use a notebook or find a paper trading
app online.
2. Choose Your Starting Amount: Decide
how much pretend money you’ll start
with. Let’s say $5,000.
3. Pick Some Stocks: Choose 3 to 5
companies you like. Maybe it’s your
favourite toy company, a fast-food
restaurant, or a tech company.
4. Write Down Your Trades: Write down
the date and the price of the stocks you
"bought."
5. Track Your Progress: Check the prices
every few days or weeks and see how
your pretend investments are doing.

Example
Imagine you have $5,000 of pretend money. You decide to "buy" 10 shares of Apple at
$150 each. You write it down in your notebook:
Date: June 1
Stock: Apple
Price per Share: $150
Number of Shares: 10
Total Cost: $1,500
Now you have $3,500 left in your pretend account. You can buy more stocks or just
wait and see how Apple does. If the price of Apple goes up to $160, your 10 shares are
now worth $1,600! You made a pretend profit of $100.

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

21
Real-Life Example: The Story of Ben and Amy
Let’s meet Ben and Amy, two friends who both decided to start
investing when they were young

Ben Amy
Ben decided to start Amy, on the other hand,
investing $10 every month waited until she was 18 to
when he was 11 years old. He start investing. She invested
invested in a simple stock the same $10 every month.
index fund, which is like Although Amy also saw her
buying a tiny piece of all the money grow, she didn’t have
biggest companies in the as much as Ben by the time
country. By the time Ben they were both 25. This is
turned 18, his investment because Ben’s money had
had grown to over $1,000, more time to grow, showing
thanks to the power of the importance of starting
compounding. early.

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

22
Types of Investments
There are several ways you can invest your money. Here are some
of the most common types:

1 Stocks: When you buy a stock,


you’re buying a small part of a
company. If the company does well,
your stock’s value goes up. For
example, if you bought one share of
Apple stock ten years ago for $20, it
might be worth over $100 today!

2 Bonds: When you buy a bond, you’re


lending money to a company or the
government, and they promise to pay
you back with interest. It’s a bit like
giving a loan to a friend who promises to
pay you back more than they borrowed.

3 Real Estate: This means buying


property, like a house or land. If the
value of the property goes up, you can
sell it for more than you bought it.
Many people have made a lot of money
by investing in real estate.

4 Mutual Funds and Index Funds:


These are collections of stocks or bonds.
By investing in a mutual fund or index
fund, you’re spreading your money
across many different investments. This
is like planting many different kinds of
seeds in your garden, so even if some
don’t grow as well, others might thrive.

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23
How to Start Investing
Starting to invest is easier than you might think. Here are some
simple steps:

Set a Goal: Decide why you want


to invest. Is it for college, a big
purchase, or just to grow your
wealth?

Start Small: You don’t need a lot of


money to start. Even $5 or $10 a
month can make a big difference
over time.

Learn and Research: Read books,


watch videos, and talk to adults you
trust to learn more about investing.

Open an Account: You can start with


a simple savings account or ask your
parents to help you open an
investment account for kids.

Be Patient: Investing is a long-term


game. Your money might not grow
quickly, but over time, you’ll see the
benefits.

Investing is like planting a money garden. With patience, care, and a bit of knowledge,
you can grow your small savings into something much bigger. Remember, the earlier
you start, the more time your money has to grow. So why not start planting those
seeds today? Happy investing!

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

24
Activity
What You’ll Need:
Fake Money: You can use play money or create your own using paper and markers.
Investment Cards: Create cards representing different types of investments (stocks, bonds, real
estate, mutual funds, etc.).
Event Cards: These cards will represent different events that can affect your investments (market
crash, company growth, interest rates, etc.).
Game Board: Draw a simple board with spaces to move forward, representing different months or
years.
Dice: To move around the board.
Calculator: To calculate gains and losses.

Setting Up the Game:


Prepare Investment Cards: Each card should include:
Name of the investment (e.g., "Tech Stock," "Government Bond").
Initial cost (e.g., $10).
Potential return range (e.g., +$5 to +$15 for stocks, +$2 to +$4 for bonds).
Risk level (low, medium, high).
Prepare Event Cards: Each card should describe an event and its impact on investments (e.g.,
"Market Boom: All stocks gain +$10," "Interest Rate Hike: All bonds gain +$5").
Starting Money: Give each player a starting amount of fake money, like $100.

How to Play:
1. Choose Investments: Each player starts by choosing how to spend their $100. They can buy
different investment cards. For example, they might buy a Tech Stock for $10, a Government Bond
for $20, and so on.
2. Roll and Move: Players take turns rolling the dice and moving forward on the game board. Each
space represents one month or year.
3. Draw Event Cards: When a player lands on an event space, they draw an Event Card and follow its
instructions. This will affect the value of their investments.
4. Track Investments: Use the calculator to track the value of each player’s investments as they move
along the board.
5. End of Game: The game ends after a set number of rounds (e.g., 12 rounds for 12 months). The
player with the highest total investment value wins!

Example Events:
Market Boom: All stocks gain +$10.
Company Bankruptcy: All stocks lose -$15.
Interest Rate Cut: All bonds gain +$5.
Natural Disaster: Real estate loses -$20.
Technological Breakthrough: Tech stocks gain +$15.

Learning Points:
Diversification: Players learn to spread their investments across different types to minimize risk.
Risk and Reward: Players see how high-risk investments can offer high rewards or significant losses.
Impact of Events: Players understand how external events affect the value of investments.
Long-Term Growth: Players experience how investments can grow over time and the importance of
patience.

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25
Fun Fact: The Power of Small Savings

Did you know that small savings can add up to big amounts over time?
If you save just $1 every day, you’ll have $365 at the end of the year!
This shows how even small amounts can grow into something
significant.

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26
CHAPTER 5

BUDGETING

Imagine you’re going on an exciting treasure hunt. You have a


map that shows you where to find the treasure, but if you
don’t follow it carefully, you might get lost and never find the
gold. In the same way, a budget is like your treasure map for
money. It helps you know where your money should go, so
you can reach your financial goals without getting lost along
the way.

What is Budgeting?
Budgeting is simply planning how to use your money. It’s
about knowing how much money you have, deciding what
you need to spend it on, and making sure you don’t run out.
Just like in our treasure hunt, if you use your map (budget)
wisely, you’ll find your treasure (financial goals).

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Why Budgeting Matters
According to a study by the University of Cambridge, children as
young as 7 can understand basic financial concepts. This means
you’re at a perfect age to start learning about budgeting!
Understanding how to budget can help you make smart choices
with your money now and in the future.

Starting Your Budget

Here’s a simple way to start your budget:


1. Know Your Income: This is all the money you receive. It could
be your allowance, money from chores, or gifts from birthdays
and holidays.
2. List Your Expenses: These are all the things you spend money
on. It can be fun things like games and snacks, or important
things like school supplies and saving for the future.
3. Set Your Goals: Think about what you want to save for. It could
be a new bike, a video game, or even college. Setting goals gives
you something to look forward to and work towards.
4. Track Your Spending: Write down everything you spend. This
helps you see where your money goes and if you need to adjust
your spending.

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28
Real-Life Example: Emily's Adventure
Let’s meet Emily, an 11-year-old who loves drawing. Emily wants to
buy a new set of art supplies that costs $50. She gets $10 a week for
doing chores. Here’s how Emily can use budgeting to reach her
goal:

1. Income: Emily earns $10 a week.


2. Expenses: She likes to buy snacks and small toys, spending
about $5 a week.
3. Savings Goal: Emily wants to save $50 for her art supplies.
Emily decides to save $5 each week. This means she will reach her
goal in 10 weeks (50 ÷ 5 = 10). By budgeting her money, Emily can
buy her art supplies without asking for extra money from her
parents.

10 weeks = (50 ÷ 5 = 10).

tS a r t s a v i n gs

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

29
Activity
Objective
To learn the basics of budgeting in a fun, hands-on way.

Materials Needed
- Play Money: Pretend money for playing.
- Budget Sheets: Papers where you'll write down your money plan.
- Expense Cards: Cards with different costs (like $5 for snacks).
- Savings Jar: A jar to put your savings in.

Steps of the Game


1. Getting Your Income:
- Everyone starts with $20 of play money.

2. Drawing Expense Cards:


- Each player picks 5 expense cards. These cards tell you how much you need to spend on different
things. For example, you might get a card that says $5 for snacks and another that says $4 for a toy.

3. Setting a Savings Goal:


- Decide what you want to save up for. It could be something like $10 for a new book or $15 for a
game.

4. Creating Your Budget:


- On your budget sheet, write down your income ($20).
- List your expenses from the cards you drew.
- Calculate how much you can save after paying for all your expenses.

5. Tracking Your Spending:


- As you "spend" your play money on the expenses from your cards, write it down on your budget
sheet.
- See how much money you have left and put that amount into your savings jar.

6. Reviewing and Adjusting:


- At the end of the round, check how much you’ve saved.
- Discuss with everyone if you met your savings goal or if you need to change your spending plan for
the next round.

Example Round
- Income: You start with $20.
- Expenses: You pick cards that say:
- $5 for snacks
- $4 for a toy
- $3 for a school project
- $2 for a friend’s birthday gift
- $1 for a bus ride
- Total Expenses: $5 + $4 + $3 + $2 + $1 = $15.
- Savings Goal: You want to save $10 for a new book.
- Money Left After Expenses: $20 - $15 = $5.

You see you only saved $5 this round. You might decide to spend less on snacks or toys next time to
save more. In The Budgeting Game, you'll practice making smart decisions about how to use your
money. By the end of the game, you'll understand how to budget, save, and plan for your financial
goals, just like managing a real-life treasure hunt!

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

30
Fun Facts and Figures

Did you know that in 2021, about 80% of Americans had some form of
debt? It’s very common!
People with good credit scores (a number that shows how good you are
at paying back money) usually get lower interest rates when they
borrow money. This means they pay less extra money!

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

31
CHAPTER 6

TAMING DEBT

Imagine you’re going on an exciting treasure hunt. You have a


map that shows you where to find the treasure, but if you
don’t follow it carefully, you might get lost and never find the
gold. In the same way, a budget is like your treasure map for
money. It helps you know where your money should go, so
you can reach your financial goals without getting lost along
the way.

What is Budgeting?
Budgeting is simply planning how to use your money. It’s
about knowing how much money you have, deciding what
you need to spend it on, and making sure you don’t run out.
Just like in our treasure hunt, if you use your map (budget)
wisely, you’ll find your treasure (financial goals).

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

32
CONTENTS

PART II

6 Taming Debt: Keeping the Monster in Check

7 Protecting Your Money: Fort Knox for Your Finances

8 Giving Back: The Joy of Sharing

9 Future Planning: Your Financial Crystal Ball

10 Putting It All Together: Your Journey to Financial Mastery

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

IX
Dear Readers,

Congratulations on completing this book! You've taken the first


important step in understanding how to earn money and set yourself
on the path to financial success. We hope you found the insights and
strategies valuable and empowering.

Now that you have a solid foundation, it's time to take your financial
journey to the next level with **Part II: Against the Current**. This
second part is dedicated to teaching you how to protect your hard-
earned money. In "Against the Current," you'll learn essential skills for
managing your finances wisely, saving effectively, and making smart
investments to ensure your financial security.

Protecting your money is just as crucial as earning it, and this book will
equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the financial world
with confidence. By understanding how to safeguard your wealth, you'll
be better prepared to face any challenges that come your way and
secure a prosperous future.

Don't miss out on this vital continuation of your financial education.


Get your copy of **"Against the Current"** today and continue your
journey towards financial mastery!

Happy Reading and Stay Financially Strong!

Now, dive into 'Against the Current' to learn how to


protect and grow your wealth. Your journey to financial
security and prosperity continues here.

Happy scheming!

JAIDHAN @copyrights 2024

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