Short-term Saving
Begin
Hey again! It’s Linda. Now, we’re going to talk about short-term saving; saving a little at a time for something coming up soon.
Next
Let’s start with a real situation. You want something soon, but you don’t have the money yet. What do you do?
Select an answer below.
Spend money right away on something else.
Save a little at a time.
Do nothing and hope it works out.
The choice you just made connects to something called short-term saving.
Short-term saving is saving money for goals that are days, weeks, or months away – but not years.
Days
Weeks
Months
Years
Continue
Click below to reveal.
A video game
A pair of shoes
Some examples of short-term savings goals are:
New headphones
School event fee
Field trip money
A movie ticket
Click through the timeline to see how short-term saving works.
This Week
Today
Goal Time
Next Month
You decide to save instead of spending all your money right away. This is where short-term saving starts, with a decision.
When you get money, you choose to save a small amount. You don’t need a lot at once. Short-term saving usually happens in small amounts.
You keep saving a little at a time. Short-term saving works because you keep going, even when the amounts are small.
You’re ready for something coming up soon. This is what makes it short-term. The goal is days, weeks, or months away, not years.
Continue
Short-term saving often uses money you receive. Let’s think about what that could be for you.
Select all the ways someone your age might get money. Click the to check your answers.
Gifts
Winning the lottery
Allowance
Money from small jobs
A full-time job
Borrowing from a friend
Now let’s look at what makes a short-term saving goal strong. Good short-term saving goals are:
Click to reveal more information.
What are you saving for?
Clear
How much is it?
Priced
When do you need it?
Time-based
Let's practice! Drag words from the word bank into the blank space. Remember: choose what makes the most sense for a short-term savings goal.
I am saving for...
a house
a car
new headphones
Continue
Let's practice! Drag words from the word bank into the blank space. Remember: choose what makes the most sense for a short-term savings goal.
It costs...
$40
$10,000
Nothing
Continue
Let's practice! Drag words from the word bank into the blank space. Remember: choose what makes the most sense for a short-term savings goal.
I want it by...
in five years
next month
next year
Continue
Here are a few tips that make short-term saving work. Remember: saving usually means not spending money right away, even when you want to.
Click each tip for more information.
Save first, then spend.
Save a little at a time.
Make spending choices that support your goal.
Track progress with a budget.
Set money aside on purpose.
Continue
$40
Goal reached! Regular saving can get you there.
Continue
Save $10
$30
You're getting close! Consistency is key.
Now let’s see why small amounts matter. If you save $10 each week you steadily make progress toward your goal.
$20
Small amounts add up over time!
Save $10!
Save $10!
$10
You started! Saving begins with one small step.
Click each "Save" button to watch your money grow.
Save $10!
Now let’s practice. I’m going to give you a few real-life situations. For each one, think about a short-term savings goal and choose what makes the most sense.
Next
Select an answer below.
Buy the snack and skip saving this time.
You’re saving for a short-term goal. After school, a friend asks if you want to buy a snack together. You have enough money to buy the snack, but that money was part of what you planned to save this week. Which choice best supports your short-term goal?
Save the money instead.
Spend some now and save less than planned.
Select an answer below.
Spend all of the money right away on something fun.
You get some money as a gift. You weren’t expecting it, and you’re deciding what to do with it. You’re still saving for a short-term goal. Which choice best supports your short-term goal?
Save all of the money for your goal.
Save some of the money and spend some of it.
Select an answer below.
Buy the item now.
You see something you really want right now, but you know a short-term goal is coming up soon. You’re deciding what to do with your money. Which choice best supports your short-term goal?
Wait and keep saving for your goal.
Decide later and not think about it yet.
These kinds of choices come up all the time. When you’re saving for a short-term goal, what matters most isn’t being perfect every time; it’s noticing how each decision affects your progress.
Next
SKILL IN ACTION
Check all of the short-term saving steps you feel comfortable committing to today:
I can decide what I’m saving for before I spend money.
I can try saving small amounts instead of waiting until I have a lot.
I can save first before spending on other things.
I can think about how a purchase might affect my short-term goal.
I can keep track of my saving in a simple way.
In this resource you practiced short-term saving: setting a goal, saving small amounts, and making choices that support what you want. These are the same skills you’ll use in the upcoming challenge!
You can continue to the next resource or click “Start Over” to go through this resource again.
Start Over
That might feel good in the moment, but now you’re farther away from what you really want. Short-term saving means thinking ahead, even when spending is tempting.
Save first, then spend.
Put money toward your goal before you spend on other things. Saving first helps make sure your goal doesn’t get forgotten.
Not quite! Try again.
Track progress with a budget.
Keep a simple record of what you save so you know how close you are to your goal. Seeing your progress can help you stay motivated.
That might feel good right now, but skipping saving can slow down your progress toward your goal. Saving works best when you try to be consistent.
It connects money decisions you make today to something coming up soon.
Continue
Not quite! Try again.
Saving unexpected money can really help your goal grow faster and make it easier to reach! Good work!
Continue
That’s a strong choice! Saving small amounts regularly can help you reach something you want soon, even if you don’t have much money right now.
Continue
Not quite! Try again.
Spending is a choice, but using all the money now doesn’t help you reach your short-term goal. Try again!
This can work sometimes, but saving less means your goal may take longer to reach. You’re still making progress, just more slowly. Is there a better choice?
Save a little at a time.
You don’t need a lot of money all at once. Saving small amounts regularly can add up over time and help you reach your short-term goal.
Not quite! Try again.
Choices that help you save regularly usually move you closer to what you want, while choices that pull money away can slow things down. Learning to notice these patterns now will help you make stronger saving decisions later.
Continue
Waiting without a plan can make it harder to reach your goal because you’re not making an intentional saving choice. Try again!
Check your answers below. These are common ways people your age build money for short-term goals.
Gifts
Winning the lottery
Gifts are a common way people your age get money. When you receive money as a gift, you can choose to save some or all of it toward a short-term goal.
This isn’t something most people can count on. Short-term saving is usually based on money you actually receive regularly.
Money from small jobs
Allowance
Money from small jobs, like helping out or doing tasks for others, is often used for short-term saving because it’s money you earn and can plan around.
Allowance is money you may receive regularly, which makes it easier to plan and save a little at a time.
A full-time job
Borrowing from a friend
Most people your age don’t have full-time jobs. Short-term saving usually uses smaller, age-appropriate money sources.
Borrowing isn’t the same as earning or receiving money. You would still need to pay it back later.
Continue
Not quite! Try again.
Buying it now uses money that could have helped you reach your short-term goal, which may delay getting what you want later. Try again!
Not quite! Try again.
Set money aside on purpose.
Decide ahead of time that some of your money is for your goal. When you choose to save on purpose, you’re less likely to spend that money without thinking.
Make spending choices that support your goal.
Sometimes you choose not to buy something right away so you can reach your goal sooner. Waiting now can help you get what you want later.
Waiting without a plan usually doesn’t move you closer to your goal. Short-term saving works best when you decide on purpose what to do with your money.
This choice supports your short-term goal! Saving first helps you stay on track and keeps you moving closer to what you want.
Continue
This can be a balanced choice, as long as you still save on purpose and keep your goal in mind. Good work!
Continue
Waiting can be hard, but this choice keeps your goal moving forward and supports your saving plan. Good choice!
Continue
Short-term Saving
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Transcript
Short-term Saving
Begin
Hey again! It’s Linda. Now, we’re going to talk about short-term saving; saving a little at a time for something coming up soon.
Next
Let’s start with a real situation. You want something soon, but you don’t have the money yet. What do you do?
Select an answer below.
Spend money right away on something else.
Save a little at a time.
Do nothing and hope it works out.
The choice you just made connects to something called short-term saving.
Short-term saving is saving money for goals that are days, weeks, or months away – but not years.
Days
Weeks
Months
Years
Continue
Click below to reveal.
A video game
A pair of shoes
Some examples of short-term savings goals are:
New headphones
School event fee
Field trip money
A movie ticket
Click through the timeline to see how short-term saving works.
This Week
Today
Goal Time
Next Month
You decide to save instead of spending all your money right away. This is where short-term saving starts, with a decision.
When you get money, you choose to save a small amount. You don’t need a lot at once. Short-term saving usually happens in small amounts.
You keep saving a little at a time. Short-term saving works because you keep going, even when the amounts are small.
You’re ready for something coming up soon. This is what makes it short-term. The goal is days, weeks, or months away, not years.
Continue
Short-term saving often uses money you receive. Let’s think about what that could be for you.
Select all the ways someone your age might get money. Click the to check your answers.
Gifts
Winning the lottery
Allowance
Money from small jobs
A full-time job
Borrowing from a friend
Now let’s look at what makes a short-term saving goal strong. Good short-term saving goals are:
Click to reveal more information.
What are you saving for?
Clear
How much is it?
Priced
When do you need it?
Time-based
Let's practice! Drag words from the word bank into the blank space. Remember: choose what makes the most sense for a short-term savings goal.
I am saving for...
a house
a car
new headphones
Continue
Let's practice! Drag words from the word bank into the blank space. Remember: choose what makes the most sense for a short-term savings goal.
It costs...
$40
$10,000
Nothing
Continue
Let's practice! Drag words from the word bank into the blank space. Remember: choose what makes the most sense for a short-term savings goal.
I want it by...
in five years
next month
next year
Continue
Here are a few tips that make short-term saving work. Remember: saving usually means not spending money right away, even when you want to.
Click each tip for more information.
Save first, then spend.
Save a little at a time.
Make spending choices that support your goal.
Track progress with a budget.
Set money aside on purpose.
Continue
$40
Goal reached! Regular saving can get you there.
Continue
Save $10
$30
You're getting close! Consistency is key.
Now let’s see why small amounts matter. If you save $10 each week you steadily make progress toward your goal.
$20
Small amounts add up over time!
Save $10!
Save $10!
$10
You started! Saving begins with one small step.
Click each "Save" button to watch your money grow.
Save $10!
Now let’s practice. I’m going to give you a few real-life situations. For each one, think about a short-term savings goal and choose what makes the most sense.
Next
Select an answer below.
Buy the snack and skip saving this time.
You’re saving for a short-term goal. After school, a friend asks if you want to buy a snack together. You have enough money to buy the snack, but that money was part of what you planned to save this week. Which choice best supports your short-term goal?
Save the money instead.
Spend some now and save less than planned.
Select an answer below.
Spend all of the money right away on something fun.
You get some money as a gift. You weren’t expecting it, and you’re deciding what to do with it. You’re still saving for a short-term goal. Which choice best supports your short-term goal?
Save all of the money for your goal.
Save some of the money and spend some of it.
Select an answer below.
Buy the item now.
You see something you really want right now, but you know a short-term goal is coming up soon. You’re deciding what to do with your money. Which choice best supports your short-term goal?
Wait and keep saving for your goal.
Decide later and not think about it yet.
These kinds of choices come up all the time. When you’re saving for a short-term goal, what matters most isn’t being perfect every time; it’s noticing how each decision affects your progress.
Next
SKILL IN ACTION
Check all of the short-term saving steps you feel comfortable committing to today:
I can decide what I’m saving for before I spend money.
I can try saving small amounts instead of waiting until I have a lot.
I can save first before spending on other things.
I can think about how a purchase might affect my short-term goal.
I can keep track of my saving in a simple way.
In this resource you practiced short-term saving: setting a goal, saving small amounts, and making choices that support what you want. These are the same skills you’ll use in the upcoming challenge!
You can continue to the next resource or click “Start Over” to go through this resource again.
Start Over
That might feel good in the moment, but now you’re farther away from what you really want. Short-term saving means thinking ahead, even when spending is tempting.
Save first, then spend.
Put money toward your goal before you spend on other things. Saving first helps make sure your goal doesn’t get forgotten.
Not quite! Try again.
Track progress with a budget.
Keep a simple record of what you save so you know how close you are to your goal. Seeing your progress can help you stay motivated.
That might feel good right now, but skipping saving can slow down your progress toward your goal. Saving works best when you try to be consistent.
It connects money decisions you make today to something coming up soon.
Continue
Not quite! Try again.
Saving unexpected money can really help your goal grow faster and make it easier to reach! Good work!
Continue
That’s a strong choice! Saving small amounts regularly can help you reach something you want soon, even if you don’t have much money right now.
Continue
Not quite! Try again.
Spending is a choice, but using all the money now doesn’t help you reach your short-term goal. Try again!
This can work sometimes, but saving less means your goal may take longer to reach. You’re still making progress, just more slowly. Is there a better choice?
Save a little at a time.
You don’t need a lot of money all at once. Saving small amounts regularly can add up over time and help you reach your short-term goal.
Not quite! Try again.
Choices that help you save regularly usually move you closer to what you want, while choices that pull money away can slow things down. Learning to notice these patterns now will help you make stronger saving decisions later.
Continue
Waiting without a plan can make it harder to reach your goal because you’re not making an intentional saving choice. Try again!
Check your answers below. These are common ways people your age build money for short-term goals.
Gifts
Winning the lottery
Gifts are a common way people your age get money. When you receive money as a gift, you can choose to save some or all of it toward a short-term goal.
This isn’t something most people can count on. Short-term saving is usually based on money you actually receive regularly.
Money from small jobs
Allowance
Money from small jobs, like helping out or doing tasks for others, is often used for short-term saving because it’s money you earn and can plan around.
Allowance is money you may receive regularly, which makes it easier to plan and save a little at a time.
A full-time job
Borrowing from a friend
Most people your age don’t have full-time jobs. Short-term saving usually uses smaller, age-appropriate money sources.
Borrowing isn’t the same as earning or receiving money. You would still need to pay it back later.
Continue
Not quite! Try again.
Buying it now uses money that could have helped you reach your short-term goal, which may delay getting what you want later. Try again!
Not quite! Try again.
Set money aside on purpose.
Decide ahead of time that some of your money is for your goal. When you choose to save on purpose, you’re less likely to spend that money without thinking.
Make spending choices that support your goal.
Sometimes you choose not to buy something right away so you can reach your goal sooner. Waiting now can help you get what you want later.
Waiting without a plan usually doesn’t move you closer to your goal. Short-term saving works best when you decide on purpose what to do with your money.
This choice supports your short-term goal! Saving first helps you stay on track and keeps you moving closer to what you want.
Continue
This can be a balanced choice, as long as you still save on purpose and keep your goal in mind. Good work!
Continue
Waiting can be hard, but this choice keeps your goal moving forward and supports your saving plan. Good choice!
Continue