Budgeting Skill Builder
Budgeting is an important skill that helps you reach your financial goals by planning how to use your money so you can save for the things you want while still paying for what you need. In this Skill Builder, you’ll step into the role of the decision-maker. You’ll choose a savings goal and practice building and using a budget to reach it. Along the way, you’ll see how budgeting can help you balance fun choices with everyday responsibilities.
Ready to explore what smart money choices look like? Let’s get started!
Choose Your Goal
Click play to start your budgeting adventure!
You’ll pick the goal you want to save for, either a new outfit and sneakers, a bike, or an action camera. Watch closely, because this choice sets your budgeting path.
Budgeting Starts with a Financial Goal
Every good budget starts with a goal. Click through this activity to lock in your goal and see how it breaks into smaller steps.
Go full screen and follow the arrows to get started.
The Right Purchase
Not all choices are the same! In this interactive, you’ll compare different purchase options for your goal.
Click go, and see how cost, quality, and value all matter when making a smart budget decision.
What is a Budget?
A budget is just a plan for your money. Here, you’ll learn the three parts: income, expenses, and savings.
Go full screen and click through to see how they work together.
Building a Budget
It’s your turn to build a budget!
Drag and drop items into the right categories to balance your needs, wants, and savings. Make sure your budget still helps you reach your goal.
Smart Saving, Strong Budget
Small savings add up and help you maintain a strong budget!
Click through to explore smart ways to save money. From planning free fun to earning extra, notice how little steps can make a big difference.
Budgeting in Action
Life is full of surprises like sales, emergencies, and unexpected costs. Play through these scenarios and see how your budget holds up.
Click start, go full screen, and test your budgeting skills!
You Got It!
Congratulations! You made it to your goal.
Click play to celebrate your budgeting journey. Remember, these skills can help you reach goals big and small in real life!
Evidence of Learning
Now it’s your turn to demonstrate your understanding of the skill!
Every Skill Builder ends with an Evidence of Learning. This is where you show your understanding of budgeting by reflecting on the steps you practiced: setting goals, comparing options, saving, and building a budget.
Click begin to articulate your understanding of budgeting and choose the reflection option that works best for you. Once you successfully demonstrate your understanding, you’ll earn your Budgeting Skill Sticker. Think of it as a way to level up by proving you can demonstrate your understanding of the skill!