Saving

Build Your Savings,
Not Your Stress
Saving money doesn’t have to be about sacrificing every fun thing in life. It’s about making smart choices, creating security, and setting yourself up for future happiness. Let’s break down simple ways you can start building your savings, no matter how tight your budget is.
Lesson 1

Rainy Day Funds

Lesson 2

Setting Goals

Lesson 3

Wants vs. Needs

Lesson 4

Savings Tips

LESSON 1

Rainy Day Funds

Saving for Oops! Moments

Sometimes, unexpected things happen – like your bike gets a flat tire or you lose a favorite toy. Saving some extra money can help you fix or replace these surprises without being stressed.

  • Start with saving a little bit at a time, like $5 or $10.
  • Gradually add to your savings so you have enough for bigger surprises later.
  • Keep this money in a separate savings account to avoid temptation.
LESSON 1
LESSON 2
LESSON 2

Setting Goals

Ready. Set. Goals. Saving for the Future.

Saving feels great when you’re working towards something exciting. No matter what you’re saving for, here are a few things to consider when setting your goals.

  • Clearly define your goals: a new game system, a bike, or something special for a friend’s birthday
  • Determine the cost, set a timeline, and break it down into small, manageable savings chunks.
  • Track your progress and reward yourself for milestones.
Learn how to stay on track with saving.
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LESSON 3

Wants vs. Needs

Need That Thing? Or Just
Want It Really, Really Badly?

It’s good to get in the habit of always asking yourself this question. This doesn’t mean cut all the things you really want—but knowing the difference helps you choose where your money goes.
  • Needs: Stuff you can’t live without (food, medicine, clothes)
  • Wants: Nice-to-haves (toys, games, treats)
Test your spending smarts.
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Ready to start saving even more? Try these tips.

Ask a grown-up to help you put money into your savings regularly, like every week or whenever you get allowance.

Even saving a little, like $2 or $5 each time, can add up fast.

Use banking apps or tools to automate savings and investing without having to think about it.

LESSON 4

Savings Tips

Small Changes, Big Savings

Even tiny changes to your spending habits can add up to impressive savings, without having to make big sacrifices. If you’re trying to curb spending, here are a few places to start—and remember, every little bit counts!
  • Skip buying a snack or a treat once a week.
  • Stop paying for games or apps you don’t really play.
  • Shop smarter by comparing prices, using coupons, or looking out for sales.
Ready to start saving even more? Try these tips.

Ask a grown-up to help you put money into your savings regularly, like every week or whenever you get allowance.

Even saving a little, like $2 or $5 each time, can add up fast.

Use banking apps or tools to automate savings and investing without having to think about it.

Smart Money Moves

Scroll through these simple ways to spend less and save more.

New games can be pricey! Instead of buying a new one, share or swap with friends who already have the one you want. Share games with friends 1 Before buying something new, see if you can fix or repurpose what you already own. It’s good for your wallet and the planet! Reuse what you have 2 Making lunch at home instead of buying at school saves you money and can be fun! Pack your own lunch 3 Don’t waste money on games or apps you don’t really play anymore. Stop paying for things you don’t use 4 Use coupons, compare prices, and watch for sales to score the best deals. Shop smarter 5
Let’s see what you learned.
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Next up:

Debit & Credit

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Overdraft fees

An overdraft fee is a penalty for using more money than you have.

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Interest rate

An interest rate for credit is the extra money you have to pay on top of what you borrowed. If you don’t pay your bill in full, credit card companies will charge you more than what you owe. The percentage can be different for each company.

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FDIC

This is a group that helps keep your money safe if something goes wrong.

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Secured credit card

A secured credit card is a type of credit card that lets you borrow money, but you have to deposit your own money first. If you pay your bill on time, you can get the deposit back.

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ATM

An ATM is a machine where you can get cash or check your bank account balance without having to go to the bank.

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Two-factor authentication

This is a way to keep your accounts safe. When you log in with your password, it sends a code to your phone or email to make sure it’s really you.

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Card Suite Life

First Security Bank’s Card Suite Lite app lets you set spending limits, track card activity in real time, freeze or unfreeze your card instantly, and review alerts so you can spot suspicious activity early.

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Credit Report

A credit report is a record that shows banks and lenders how responsible you are with borrowing and paying back money.

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Credit Score

A credit score is a three-digit number that tells lenders how good you are with borrowed money. It helps them determine whether or not they can trust you to pay back what you owe.