Money Management

Introduction

This unit of lesson plans is designed to introduce the client to spending and saving money intentionally and wisely. The lessons cover the tools to manage an income by creating a budget; setting long- and short-term financial goals; taking advantage of the banking system; reducing and eliminating debt; investing in the stock and bond markets; and giving responsibly. Additionally, these lessons provide natural teaching opportunities for acquiring a signature, check writing, ATM and debit/credit card usage, and exploring a bank.

Lesson 1: Spending Wisely

Purpose of lesson: To make informed decisions on purchases. Materials needed: Internet access, grocery store, grocery advertisements and coupons Introduction “You receive your first paycheck—what an exciting day! Have you experienced the thrill? Enter the decision-making capabilities. Likely for the first time, you can purchase without asking permission. How will you spend your money? Whether […]

Stacks of coins, each larger than the last

Lesson 2: Saving Money

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To learn the reasons for saving money. Materials needed: Word document Introduction “We discussed spending money wisely and now I want to focus on saving money wisely. Saving money entails not purchasing everything […]

Fingers pointing to a calculator and paper

Lesson 3: Expected Expenses

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To learn expenses to expect when living on his or her own. Materials needed: Introduction “Before we discover the value and workings of a budget, I hope to help make you aware of […]

Art depicting a piggy bank, money, and spreadsheet

Lesson 4: Budgeting

Name(s) of student(s): Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To create a mock budget. Materials needed: Internet access, word document or spreadsheet Introduction “Last time we met, we discovered a variety of living expenses and their general costs. Today I will teach you the usefulness of […]

Lesson 5: Understanding Paychecks

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To acquaint the student with pay periods, withholdings, and deductions. Materials needed: Accessible paycheck and W-4 Introduction Provide the student with an accessible paycheck. Explain that the purpose of this lesson is to […]

Lesson 6: Checking Accounts

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To gather information regarding checking accounts and to write a check. Materials needed: blank checks and tools to access them (magnifier, CCTV, and/or check writing guide), embossed checks, large print checks, ATM, and […]

Lesson 7: Savings Accounts

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To explore savings account information and visit a bank. Materials needed: Internet access, bank location Introduction “Last time we met we focused on checking accounts. Today we will learn about savings accounts. Understanding […]

Lesson 8: Loans and Debt

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To familiarize the student with types of debt, the principal amount borrowed, and interest. Materials needed: Internet access, pitcher of water, and glass Introduction “I wish I could bring in a panel of […]

Lesson 9: Credit and Debit Cards

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To learn the purposes of using a credit or debit card and their differences. Materials needed: Introduction “I want to familiarize you with spending using debit and credit cards. We will talk about […]

Graphic of computer with graphs and money

Lesson 10: Investing

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To expose the student to stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Materials needed: Internet access Introduction “Remember we learned about earning interest on money kept in a savings account? Remember your savings are insured […]

Graphic of a hand dropping a coin into a box marked, "Donation"

Lesson 11: Giving

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To learn about financially supporting causes and individuals. Materials needed: Internet access Introduction “Over the course of this series on managing money, we have explored saving money, spending money wisely, avoiding debt, and […]