What does money mean to you?
There are no perfect answers here. This workbook is about practicing decisions before the decisions get expensive.
Understand what comes in.
Give your money a job.
Save toward future goals.
Need, want…or it depends?
Context matters. Choose the answer that fits the situation, then explain your thinking.
Your $25 weekly challenge
Give every dollar a job. Adjust the categories so your plan fits inside $25.
Life happens.
Your transportation cost increases by $2, but you still only have $25.
🍿 Unit price challenge
Pack A: 12 snacks for $9.60
Pack B: 8 snacks for $7.20
🎮 Subscription challenge
A game costs $8 per month.
🎯 Savings goal calculator
💼 First paycheck
10 hours × $15 = $150 gross pay.
Illustrative withholding = $20.
💳 Debit card basics
Check your balance before paying. Watch pending purchases, fees, and overdraft rules. Protect your PIN and use account alerts when available.
Compare the full annual price
School A · Live on campus
Tuition + fees: $16,000
Housing + food: $11,000
Books + travel: $1,000
Total: $28,000
Grants: −$18,000
Gap: $10,000
School B · Live at home
Tuition + fees: $13,000
Housing + food: $2,000
Books + travel: $3,000
Total: $18,000
Grants: −$9,000
Gap: $9,000
Think about program fit, grant renewal, graduation rates, transportation, future costs, and whether living at home is realistic.
Aid vocabulary
Money you usually do not repay.
An award with specific criteria.
Money earned from a job.
Borrowed money that must be repaid.
Turn knowledge into a next move.
LET'S TALK MONEY
Waves of the Wise Student Resource
You practiced budgeting, saving, smart spending, banking, pay, college costs, and action planning.