Hi! I’m River. Welcome to SLIMM City! This is the Budgeting Basics module: the first stop in your Financial Literacy Quest!
Are you ready to play? Awesome! Let’s start building your city together. Click Start to begin!
start
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
This is the SLIMM City map. The game starts with the Financial Literacy quest. There are four modules in the quest: Budgeting Basics, Debt Management, Savings Basics and Credit. Budgeting Basics is the first module developed in this game.
You are here!
Continue
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
There are four modules in the quest: Budgeting Basics, Debt Management, Savings Basics and Credit. Budgeting Basics is the first module that you complete in this game.
Continue
Continue
Your goal is to earn enough money during this module to unlock and design your first house! By the end, you’ll get to choose between the Beachside Bungalow, Cozy Cottage, or Treetop Hideout!
beachside bungalow
Cozy Cottage
treetop hideaway
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
Continue
Budget Brain Builder
Crafty Construction Champ
Hidden Hustle Hero
You are in the Badge Hall. Throughout the game you have the chance to fill up this room with three badges. The Budget Brain Builder can be earned by completing a budgeting task. You earn the Hidden Hustle Hero by finding and solving the hidden money scenario, and if you handle a sudden money challenge with your house build, you will be the Crafty Construction Champ!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
Continue
How the Bank Ledger works (every time!)
In the full game, players use a bank ledger to track every money decision that they make. When you earn money your checking balance will go up. When you spend money your checking balance will go down. Each action is recorded once. You won’t use the bank ledger in this free sample. This is just a preview of how it works.
Play 'Burst a Balloon!'
These shapes are interactive! Click on them to bring you to the matching page
17
Click here to get started!
18
19
“This is your Budgeting Basics map! Click the shapes to explore lessons and challenges.”
16
20
15
21
14
26
13
25
12
24
11
23
22
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Here are the learning goals for this module. By the end of the Budgeting Basics module, you will be able to incorporate these skills into your daily choices and actions.
Before you begin, please complete the Budgeting Basics Pre-Learning Check to preview the concepts that you will explore in this module.
Click here for the budgeting basics pre-check!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
BANK
MAIN MENU
Hint- a little sparkle goes a long way! Look for shiny sparkles hidden around slides. If you click them, you might uncover a budgeting tip or a joke!
You are about to start Part One of Budgeting Basics: What Is A Budget? After you finish this section, you will complete two check for understanding questions for a chance to add more money to your bank.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Why should you keep a budget?
A monthly budget can help you reach your goals, like saving for a new bike, a car, or even college. If you follow your budget, you can save a lot of money and avoid spending too much.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
BANK
MAIN MENU
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
Hmmm....does anything seem extra sparkly to you? Click on the sparkles that you find!
MAIN MENU
BANK
💡 Budget Tip: “Before you spend money, try the 24-hour rule: Wait one day before buying something you really want. If you still want it tomorrow, it might be worth it. If not, you just saved money!”
Total Budget $100
Electronics $70
Snacks $30
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Income
Lawn Mowing
Chores
Birthday Gift
Total
$20
$15
$30
$65
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Fixed Expenses Stays the same!
VS
Variable Expenses Changes each month!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Why did the dollar bill break up with the penny? 👉Because it found someone with more cents!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Here is an example of a budget. Your task is to drag the items below to the correct categories. Are they income or expenses? Which categories do you think they belong in? Move to the next slide to reveal the answer!
Chores........................$15
Movies & Snacks........$20
Video Games...............$15
Birthday Gift from Aunt.....$30
Babysitting..................$40
Sneakers.. ...................$30
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Awesome job! With any budget, your goal is to have more income than expenses so you have some money leftover to save for any long term money goals that you may have.
Babysitting.................$40
Movies & Snacks........$20
Birthday Gift from Aunt..$30
Video Games..............$15
Sneakers.. ..................$30
Chores........................$15
Subtract your expenses from your income to see if you have any money left over in your budget!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Hidden Hustle Hero
Budget Brain Builder
Crafty Construction Champ
Click here to reveal the badge!
Great job! By completing the budgeting task, you have earned your Budget Brain Builder badge! Click on the outline to claim your reward, then click 'Next' when you're reading to continue with the game!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
New Bike Goal: $100
New Bike Goal: $100
New Bike Goal: $100
Month 1
Month 2
Month 3
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
RIVER'S JOURNAL
Budgeting might sound boring, but it’s actually a power move. I set my money goal (hello, new headphones), then made a plan for how to save and spend. I added up my income, subtracted my expenses (like the $10 I owe my sister), and checked what was left. If the number’s negative, I know I need to cut back. Now I’m tracking my spending and making every coin count. Reflection Question: What money goal would you set for yourself, and how could a budget help you reach it? OPTIONAL
Click here to record your journal entry!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
Click on the correct answer!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
TRY AGAIN
Oh no! This answer is incorrect. Please click TRY AGAIN to make another selection.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Correct! The best reason to make a budget is so you can have a plan for your money. It's a tool to help you feel in control of your money!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
TRY AGAIN
Oh no! This answer is incorrect. Please click TRY AGAIN to make another selection.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
TRY AGAIN
Oh no! This answer is incorrect. Please click TRY AGAIN to make another selection.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
What just happened:You earned $25! What would happen in the full game: Your checking balance would increase by $25
* Example shown from the full game ledger *
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
Click on the correct answer!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
TRY AGAIN
Oh no! This answer is incorrect. Please click TRY AGAIN to make another selection.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
TRY AGAIN
Oh no! This answer is incorrect. Please click TRY AGAIN to make another selection.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
TRY AGAIN
Oh no! This answer is incorrect. Please click TRY AGAIN to make another selection.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Correct! Although there are multiple ways that you can organize your budget, an easy way to start budgeting is to divide you money up three ways: money you put towards spending/ expenses, money you want to save for later, and money you want to give to charity.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
You've earned another $25 for answering the answer correctly! What would happen in the full game: Your checking balance would increase by $25
Reminder: Each action is recorded on it's own row!
* Example shown from the full game ledger *
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
You’ve officially started your house building journey, and SLIMM City is rewarding you with your first plot of land: free of charge! Keep learning and earning to turn this empty lot into your dream house. Next stop: laying the foundation!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
You’ve just learned how money flows in SLIMM City and earned your first plot of land. In the full game, you’ll start building, making bigger choices, and unlocking new skills.
Unlock the full Financial Literacy Quest
Already created your bank?
Click below to check your personal tracker!
Open My Bank
📌 Tip: Bookmark your bank sheet when you first make it!
MAIN MENU
Buy new sneakers for PE class – Her old pair has holes, and her gym teacher said everyone needs sneakers for class. ($25)
Money you get from working, gifts, or savings.
BACK
NEXT
Option 1- Pay Now Take the money from your bank ledger to pay for it right away. Your bank account takes a hit, but your house is solid.
Money you take home after you subtract what you owe
Pay back her sister – She borrowed ($10) last week to buy a birthday gift for a friend. Her sister asked for the money back by Friday.
MAIN MENU
BANK
Something valuable that you own, like savings or a bike.
Option 2- Borrow $100 from your neighbor
They’ll lend it to you, but you’ll have to pay back $120 later. Add $120 to your debt column on your bank tracker.
The total money you earn before anything is taken out.
Go to the movies with friends – She wants to buy a ticket and snacks to see a new superhero movie. ($20)
Money you owe to someone else and need to pay back.
Save for a tablet – She’s been trying to save ($5) from every job to eventually buy a tablet.
NEXT SLIDE
Option 3- Patch it yourself and hope for the best
You skip the fix and try a temporary repair using spare supplies. It saves money for now, but it’s risky.
TRY AGAIN
💯 I followed all directions and stayed within $100!
$60 – I recorded every transaction carefully and kept my totals updated!
🎯 I mostly followed the rules AND included all necessities — just went a little over or under.
MAIN MENU
$30 – I tried, but I missed a few things or my totals might be a little off.
⚠️ I forgot one or two things but tried my best.
SUBMIT BUDGET
🤔 I need to go back and fix a few things.
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Shayna Schwartz
Created on February 6, 2026
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Transcript
Hi! I’m River. Welcome to SLIMM City! This is the Budgeting Basics module: the first stop in your Financial Literacy Quest!
Are you ready to play? Awesome! Let’s start building your city together. Click Start to begin!
start
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
This is the SLIMM City map. The game starts with the Financial Literacy quest. There are four modules in the quest: Budgeting Basics, Debt Management, Savings Basics and Credit. Budgeting Basics is the first module developed in this game.
You are here!
Continue
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
There are four modules in the quest: Budgeting Basics, Debt Management, Savings Basics and Credit. Budgeting Basics is the first module that you complete in this game.
Continue
Continue
Your goal is to earn enough money during this module to unlock and design your first house! By the end, you’ll get to choose between the Beachside Bungalow, Cozy Cottage, or Treetop Hideout!
beachside bungalow
Cozy Cottage
treetop hideaway
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
Continue
Budget Brain Builder
Crafty Construction Champ
Hidden Hustle Hero
You are in the Badge Hall. Throughout the game you have the chance to fill up this room with three badges. The Budget Brain Builder can be earned by completing a budgeting task. You earn the Hidden Hustle Hero by finding and solving the hidden money scenario, and if you handle a sudden money challenge with your house build, you will be the Crafty Construction Champ!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
Continue
How the Bank Ledger works (every time!)
In the full game, players use a bank ledger to track every money decision that they make. When you earn money your checking balance will go up. When you spend money your checking balance will go down. Each action is recorded once. You won’t use the bank ledger in this free sample. This is just a preview of how it works.
Play 'Burst a Balloon!'
These shapes are interactive! Click on them to bring you to the matching page
17
Click here to get started!
18
19
“This is your Budgeting Basics map! Click the shapes to explore lessons and challenges.”
16
20
15
21
14
26
13
25
12
24
11
23
22
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Here are the learning goals for this module. By the end of the Budgeting Basics module, you will be able to incorporate these skills into your daily choices and actions.
Before you begin, please complete the Budgeting Basics Pre-Learning Check to preview the concepts that you will explore in this module.
Click here for the budgeting basics pre-check!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
BANK
MAIN MENU
Hint- a little sparkle goes a long way! Look for shiny sparkles hidden around slides. If you click them, you might uncover a budgeting tip or a joke!
You are about to start Part One of Budgeting Basics: What Is A Budget? After you finish this section, you will complete two check for understanding questions for a chance to add more money to your bank.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Why should you keep a budget?
A monthly budget can help you reach your goals, like saving for a new bike, a car, or even college. If you follow your budget, you can save a lot of money and avoid spending too much.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
BANK
MAIN MENU
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
Hmmm....does anything seem extra sparkly to you? Click on the sparkles that you find!
MAIN MENU
BANK
💡 Budget Tip: “Before you spend money, try the 24-hour rule: Wait one day before buying something you really want. If you still want it tomorrow, it might be worth it. If not, you just saved money!”
Total Budget $100
Electronics $70
Snacks $30
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Income
Lawn Mowing
Chores
Birthday Gift
Total
$20
$15
$30
$65
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Fixed Expenses Stays the same!
VS
Variable Expenses Changes each month!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Why did the dollar bill break up with the penny? 👉Because it found someone with more cents!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Here is an example of a budget. Your task is to drag the items below to the correct categories. Are they income or expenses? Which categories do you think they belong in? Move to the next slide to reveal the answer!
Chores........................$15
Movies & Snacks........$20
Video Games...............$15
Birthday Gift from Aunt.....$30
Babysitting..................$40
Sneakers.. ...................$30
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Awesome job! With any budget, your goal is to have more income than expenses so you have some money leftover to save for any long term money goals that you may have.
Babysitting.................$40
Movies & Snacks........$20
Birthday Gift from Aunt..$30
Video Games..............$15
Sneakers.. ..................$30
Chores........................$15
Subtract your expenses from your income to see if you have any money left over in your budget!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Hidden Hustle Hero
Budget Brain Builder
Crafty Construction Champ
Click here to reveal the badge!
Great job! By completing the budgeting task, you have earned your Budget Brain Builder badge! Click on the outline to claim your reward, then click 'Next' when you're reading to continue with the game!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
New Bike Goal: $100
New Bike Goal: $100
New Bike Goal: $100
Month 1
Month 2
Month 3
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
RIVER'S JOURNAL
Budgeting might sound boring, but it’s actually a power move. I set my money goal (hello, new headphones), then made a plan for how to save and spend. I added up my income, subtracted my expenses (like the $10 I owe my sister), and checked what was left. If the number’s negative, I know I need to cut back. Now I’m tracking my spending and making every coin count. Reflection Question: What money goal would you set for yourself, and how could a budget help you reach it? OPTIONAL
Click here to record your journal entry!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
Click on the correct answer!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
TRY AGAIN
Oh no! This answer is incorrect. Please click TRY AGAIN to make another selection.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Correct! The best reason to make a budget is so you can have a plan for your money. It's a tool to help you feel in control of your money!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
TRY AGAIN
Oh no! This answer is incorrect. Please click TRY AGAIN to make another selection.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
TRY AGAIN
Oh no! This answer is incorrect. Please click TRY AGAIN to make another selection.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
What just happened:You earned $25! What would happen in the full game: Your checking balance would increase by $25
* Example shown from the full game ledger *
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
Click on the correct answer!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
TRY AGAIN
Oh no! This answer is incorrect. Please click TRY AGAIN to make another selection.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
TRY AGAIN
Oh no! This answer is incorrect. Please click TRY AGAIN to make another selection.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
TRY AGAIN
Oh no! This answer is incorrect. Please click TRY AGAIN to make another selection.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
Correct! Although there are multiple ways that you can organize your budget, an easy way to start budgeting is to divide you money up three ways: money you put towards spending/ expenses, money you want to save for later, and money you want to give to charity.
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
You've earned another $25 for answering the answer correctly! What would happen in the full game: Your checking balance would increase by $25
Reminder: Each action is recorded on it's own row!
* Example shown from the full game ledger *
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
BACK
NEXT
MAIN MENU
BANK
You’ve officially started your house building journey, and SLIMM City is rewarding you with your first plot of land: free of charge! Keep learning and earning to turn this empty lot into your dream house. Next stop: laying the foundation!
SLIMM City™ | Shayna Schwartz
You’ve just learned how money flows in SLIMM City and earned your first plot of land. In the full game, you’ll start building, making bigger choices, and unlocking new skills.
Unlock the full Financial Literacy Quest
Already created your bank?
Click below to check your personal tracker!
Open My Bank
📌 Tip: Bookmark your bank sheet when you first make it!
MAIN MENU
Buy new sneakers for PE class – Her old pair has holes, and her gym teacher said everyone needs sneakers for class. ($25)
Money you get from working, gifts, or savings.
BACK
NEXT
Option 1- Pay Now Take the money from your bank ledger to pay for it right away. Your bank account takes a hit, but your house is solid.
Money you take home after you subtract what you owe
Pay back her sister – She borrowed ($10) last week to buy a birthday gift for a friend. Her sister asked for the money back by Friday.
MAIN MENU
BANK
Something valuable that you own, like savings or a bike.
Option 2- Borrow $100 from your neighbor
They’ll lend it to you, but you’ll have to pay back $120 later. Add $120 to your debt column on your bank tracker.
The total money you earn before anything is taken out.
Go to the movies with friends – She wants to buy a ticket and snacks to see a new superhero movie. ($20)
Money you owe to someone else and need to pay back.
Save for a tablet – She’s been trying to save ($5) from every job to eventually buy a tablet.
NEXT SLIDE
Option 3- Patch it yourself and hope for the best
You skip the fix and try a temporary repair using spare supplies. It saves money for now, but it’s risky.
TRY AGAIN
💯 I followed all directions and stayed within $100!
$60 – I recorded every transaction carefully and kept my totals updated!
🎯 I mostly followed the rules AND included all necessities — just went a little over or under.
MAIN MENU
$30 – I tried, but I missed a few things or my totals might be a little off.
⚠️ I forgot one or two things but tried my best.
SUBMIT BUDGET
🤔 I need to go back and fix a few things.