The Three Jars: Save, Spend, Give
A lot of families split their money into three jars. Every time you get money — an allowance, a birthday gift, money for chores — you can decide how much goes toward each one.
Save
Put it away for something bigger later.
Spend
Use it now on something you want or need.
Give
Share it to help someone else.
Saving: The Power of Waiting
Saving means not spending your money right away — even though you could. That can be hard! But saving a little at a time lets you get something bigger than you could afford today.
Choosing to wait for something bigger later, instead of grabbing something smaller right now, is one of the most useful skills you can build. It helps with money — but it also helps with schoolwork, sports, friendships, and almost anything else where good things take a little time.
Here's what it can look like: say you really want a $20 video game, but you only have $4 right now. If you spend that $4 on something small today, the game is still out of reach. But if you save $4 a week, you'll have enough in just 5 weeks!
Spending: Making Good Choices
Spending isn't a bad thing — it's how you get things you need and enjoy things you want. The goal isn't to never spend money. It's to spend it on purpose, instead of just buying the first thing you see.
A good question to ask before you spend: "Will I still be glad I bought this next week?" If the answer is yes, it might be a great choice. If you're not sure, it might be worth waiting.
Giving: Sharing What You Have
Giving means using some of your money to help someone else — a friend, your community, or people you'll never even meet. It could be a few dollars to a food bank, an animal shelter, your church, or a classmate who needs help.
Giving helps the person or cause you're supporting — but it also tends to help you. People who give regularly often say it makes them feel happier and more connected to their community. Giving can also help you practice generosity and think about needs beyond your own.
You don't need a lot of money to give. Even a small amount, given regularly, makes a real difference — and builds a habit that pays off in ways money can't always measure.
Activity: Save, Spend, or Give?
Read each example, then decide which jar it belongs in.
Activity: Watch It Grow
Saving and giving don't happen all at once — they add up over time. Try both below.