Lesson Plan
Budget Basics Blueprint
Students will learn to distinguish needs vs. wants, track income and expenses, and create a simple monthly budget to manage pocket money effectively.
Building basic financial literacy empowers students to make informed spending decisions, understand budgeting principles, and develop lifelong money-management skills.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up: Need vs. Want Quiz
5 minutes
Step 2
Concept Introduction
10 minutes
Step 3
Group Activity: Monthly Budget Creation
20 minutes
Step 4
Shopping Simulation
10 minutes
Step 5
Cool-Down: Reflection on Choices
5 minutes
Slide Deck
Spend vs. Save
What Are Needs and Wants?
What Is Spending?
What Is Saving?
Why Should We Save?
Let’s Practice: Need or Want?
Warm Up
Worksheet
Game
Cool Down
Lesson Plan
Budget Mastery Lesson Plan
Students will collaboratively create detailed personal budgets, set future financial goals, analyze real-world scenarios, and explore basic investment strategies to strengthen their money management skills.
This workshop enhances high schoolers’ financial decision-making by teaching advanced budgeting, goal planning, and introducing investments, preparing them for real-world money management responsibilities.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up: Sharing Money Decisions
5 minutes
Step 2
Introduction to Advanced Budgeting Concepts
10 minutes
Step 3
Group Activity: Detailed Budget Creation
15 minutes
Step 4
Case Study Analysis: Real-World Scenario
15 minutes
Step 5
Exploring Investment Basics
10 minutes
Step 6
Reflection and Action Plan
5 minutes
Slide Deck
Advanced Budgeting & Investment Basics
Fixed vs. Variable Expenses
Building an Emergency Fund
Setting Savings Goals
Introduction to Investment Vehicles
Understanding Risk vs. Return
Diversification & Allocation
Worksheet
Worksheet
Reading
Worksheet
Reading
Activity
Worksheet
