There’s never enough money for all the things you’d like to have. Spending your hard-earned money means making choices. Play the money game below to help you
decide what’s most important to you in terms of your spending.

The Money Game

How to Play: Pretend that you’ve been given 20 Xs for allowance. This will be your budget. In each section there is a list of things you can purchase. More expensive items will cost you more Xs. You must X all of the boxes for each item you choose. If the item is free, simply circle “no boxes”. You can select more than one option in each section. Just don’t use more than 20 Xs total.

Ready, Set, Spend!

Recreation
a. Spend time with friends at home or in the park. (no boxes)
b. Go skating, bowling, or swimming. .
c. Rent a movie or video game. . .
d. See a movie at the theater and buy a snack. . . .

Savings
a. Put spare change in piggy bank. .
b. Make regular deposits in a savings account. . .
c. Regularly purchase savings bonds. . . .

Snacks, Drinks, Meals
a. Fix snacks and meals at home. (no boxes)
b. Buy school lunch. .
c. Buy snacks from convenience stores or vending machines. . .
d. Buy fast food. . . .

Clothing
a. Mix and match current clothing. (no boxes)
b. Shop at garage sales or thrift shops. .
c. Shop at discount stores. . .
d. Shop at department stores. . . .

Gifts
a. Make your own. (no boxes)
b. Buy cards and small gifts on special occasions. .
c. Buy expensive gifts for everybody. . .

Sports Equipment
a. Borrow. (no boxes)
b. Rent. .
c. Buy used. . .
d. Buy new. . . .

CDs
a. Borrow from a friend or the library. (no boxes)
b. Buy used at garage sales or resale stores. . .
c. Buy new. . . .

Hobbies, Books and Games
a. Borrow or trade with friends; use supplies on hand. (no boxes)
b. Buy used or at discount stores. .
c. Buy new at specialty stores. . .

More Choices
a. Magazine subscription .
b. Dance, fitness or music lessons . .
c. Private phone line . . .
d. Tickets to a concert or game . . .

When you’re finished, answer these questions: What did you spend most of your money on? What did you learn about yourself from this activity?

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Now, try the game again with only 12 Xs. Decide what you’re going to give up or change in order to cut eight Xs. Review your choices again. How did your spending change? What was the first item you gave up? What was hard about choosing between options?

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Saving Money

Do you find yourself spending every cent you get? That may be okay if your parents pay for all of your expenses—but what if they don’t? That’s when savings comes into play. Why do you need to save money? Here are four important reasons:

1. Emergencies. You forgot to put your skateboard away last night and it was stolen. Your parents refuse to buy you a new one because it was your responsibility to bring it in. If you don’t have any money saved, you’ll be sitting at home next Saturday when your friends are at the Skate Park.
2. Current Expenses. Need money for new clothes, CDs or movie tickets? What about a present for Mother’s Day? Mom’s special day is in the same month as that concert you’ve been waiting for. Where will you get the cash for both expenses? If you’ve set aside some savings, you’ll be ready.
3. Future Purchases. Dreaming of getting a car when you turn 16? What about going to college when you’re 18? Where is the money going to come from for these major expenses? While driving and college may seem far in the future, they’re really only a few years away.
4. Investing. Before buying stocks or bonds, you need to make sure you have items 1-3 covered. Once you’ve taken care of the basics, you’re ready to really put your money to work.