Course 4: Smart Money for Teens — Learn to Earn, Save & Grow

Level: Beginner

Format: Self-paced course with 5 lessons

Duration: 5–7 hours

Outcome: Learn how to manage money, avoid common mistakes, and build strong financial habits from a young age.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will:

• Understand the basics of personal finance
• Know how to budget and track your money
• Learn how to save for goals (and actually stick to it!)
• Discover how teens can earn money
• Get introduced to the ideas of investing and financial freedom

Lesson 1: Why Money Skills Matter (Even as a Teen)

Theory:

Money touches everything — your lifestyle, freedom, goals, and even your future education. But no one teaches teens how to use it wisely.

Smart vs. Average Teen:

• Average teen: “I spend all my money and don’t know where it goes.”
• Smart teen: “I have a plan. I use my money to build something bigger.”

Benefits of Financial Skills:

• You’ll make better decisions now
• You’ll feel more confident and independent
• You’ll be ready for college, jobs, and even a business

Lesson 2: Budgeting 101 — Where Does Your Money Go?

Theory:

A budget is just a plan for how you’ll use your money. It’s not boring — it’s power.

The Teen Budget Formula:

• 50% — Spending (fun, food, wants)
• 30% — Saving (goals, future plans)
• 20% — Growing (investing, learning)

Steps to Create Your Budget:

1. Track your income (allowance, job, gifts)
2. Track your expenses for 7 days
3. Divide into categories
4. Set limits and goals

Tools:

• Try apps like Notion, Money Manager, or Excel
• Or go simple: a notebook with three columns

Lesson 3: How to Save Without Feeling Broke

Theory:

Saving is not about “giving up fun.” It’s about making your goals real.

Smart Saving Habits:

• Name your savings (like “Trip to Seoul” or “New Phone”)
• Set a % to save from every income
• Use a visual tracker (Canva, habit app, printable jar)
• Celebrate milestones (10%, 50%, 100%)

Tips for Teens:

• Ask to split gift money (half for savings, half for fun)
• Sell things you don’t use
• Use cash for spending — it makes you more mindful

Lesson 4: Teen Income Ideas — Start Earning Today

Theory:

You don’t have to wait until you’re 18 to earn. Teen income = freedom + confidence.

Ways Teens Can Earn:

• Sell handmade items or digital products
• Offer services (tutoring, babysitting, designing, pet sitting)
• Join paid surveys, blog writing, or platforms for teen freelancers
• Launch,if a small business (see Course 2!)
• Monetize a skill: art, writing, coding, crafting

Mindset Tip:

Your first money won’t be perfect — but it’ll be yours.

Lesson 5: Money Growth — What Is Investing & Passive Income?

Theory:

Saving protects money. Investing grows it. Even if you can’t invest yet, you can learn how it works.

Key Concepts:

• Compound interest = your money earns more money over time
• Assets = things that make you money (books, businesses, skills)
• Passive income = earning money while you sleep (like through content, courses, or dividends)

Teen Investors to Know:

• Some teens start with mock investing accounts
• Others invest in learning, building a skill, or launching digital assets