MoneyMagnifier® Teens

• Savings First Aid Kit
  • Throughout our lives, unexpected emergencies can occur, which is why it’s important to be prepared. In groups, have teens discuss unexpected expenses that their families have had to pay, and how much money they think it would cost to address these emergencies. Then, help them design their very own Savings First Aid Kit.
• Bouncing Ball Budgets
  • In order to be financially flexible, it’s critical for teens to reflect on their spending behaviors. Grab a large beach ball and write the numbers 1-10 on each side. Each number will correspond to a question about spending habits. Then, have the kids form a circle and toss the ball to one another. Whoever catches the ball has to answer the matching question.
• Reality Check
  • Sometimes, it can be difficult for teens to know the amount of money they will need to afford their dream lifestyle. To help them get started thinking about the future, have your kids take a Reality Check Quiz. This will help them gain insight into the income they will need, as well as how their goals affect their career decisions.

Our financial-learning partner, EverFi, knows what it takes to keep teens engaged in financial learning. Their web-based modules use real-life scenarios to teach teens how to make smart financial decisions. Check out the modules here.

• Plan, Save, Succeed! Challenge: Budget Basics (scholastic.com)
  • Have your kids apply the knowledge they’ve learned about money basics by creating a budget and developing financial goals based on real-world scenarios. 
• Reflecting on needs versus wants (consumerfinance.gov)
  • This worksheet will help children differentiate between needs and wants, and learn to be more strategic about their spending and saving.