My Money Rule

What your kid learns

• Make a rule

  A money rule splits every dollar the same way. The same rule every time means no arguing with yourself.

• Save first

  Save comes off first. Then you spend what’s left. Grown-ups do this with automatic savings.

• The extra cent

  Some amounts don’t split evenly. Then the extra cent goes to Save. Owe a grown-up money? Pay that back first. Then your rule splits the rest.

The story: The Case of the Empty Save Jar

In a kitchen, Priya shows Diego how a money rule splits a pretend $20 so Save fills first.

1. Helper: A puzzle, detectives! Diego’s Save jar stays empty.
2. Diego: I always mean to save. But I spend it first.
3. Priya: Try a money rule. Decide the split before money comes.
4. Priya: Like this: every $10 makes $6 Save and $4 Spend.
5. Diego: I just got a pretend $20. So $12 Save and $8 Spend!
6. Diego: Save went first. Now my jar is growing!
7. Helper: Case closed! Save first, spend the rest.

The game: Rule Maker

Your rule: every $10 makes $6 Save and $4 Spend. Split a pretend $30 gift with your rule.

Games use pretend money and work with taps or a keyboard. Nothing is timed.

New words

money rule

a plan that splits every dollar the same way

split

dividing money into parts

pay yourself first

saving before you spend

Also called: automatic savings

percent sign

a clue symbol. 50% = half. 10% = 1 out of 10.

Questions at the end

• Rule: every $10 makes $6 Save and $4 Spend. How does a pretend $20 split?
• Why save first, before spending?
• A split leaves one extra cent. Where does it go?

Remember this

Save first, spend the rest.

Talk about it

Ask your kid to explain their money rule, and talk about whether you use one.

Try it at home: Make a rule card

1. Write a money rule for pretend money.
2. Example: every $10 makes $6 Save and $4 Spend.
3. Try your rule on a pretend $20.

Make a rule card for pretend money.

School standards

• National Standards for Personal Financial Education: Saving
• Common Core Math 4.NF.B.4
• Common Core Math 4.MD.A.2