The budgeting student worksheet free printable PDF is a 4-page A4 document that walks students through creating a budget from scratch. It defines a budget as a plan for spending your money and breaks the process into five steps: record income, track spending, set goals, put together the budget, and make adjustments.
What the worksheet teaches about budgeting
The worksheet explains key concepts in student-friendly language. It defines needs as essential expenses like rent and groceries, while wants are non-essential costs that can be cut first. It also introduces S.M.A.R.T. goals—specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely—and distinguishes short-term savings goals (under a year) from long-term ones (over a year).
Understanding money leaks
The worksheet highlights money leaks, small frequent purchases that add up, such as a $1.50 daily vending machine snack costing $547.50 per year.
Using the worksheet for practice
Print the pages at actual size on A4 paper. Students can use the steps to build their own budget, starting by listing all income sources like allowance or babysitting money, then tracking spending from one pay period to the next. The worksheet also suggests setting up automatic transfers to savings each time you get paid.
