This workshop equips teens aged 13–18 with foundational budgeting skills to manage personal finances confidently. Through interactive simulations and real-world scenarios, students learn to allocate funds, track expenses, and save effectively. Using tools like Excel/Google Sheets, they’ll tackle challenges like unexpected bills and prioritize financial goals, fostering lifelong money management habits.

Objective:
Empower students to create and maintain realistic budgets, prioritize savings, and make informed financial decisions.

Workshop Content:

1. Introduction to Budgeting:
   • Importance of budgeting for financial independence.
   • Discuss income, expenses, savings, and emergency funds.
   • “Budget Busters” Warm-Up
     • Students use play money to allocate $500 for basic needs (rent, groceries).
2. Budgeting Fundamentals:
   • Simulation: Manage a $500/month budget (rent, groceries, utilities).
   • Tools: Excel/Google Sheets templates for expense tracking.
   • Savings Strategies: “Pay Yourself First” rule, goal-setting (e.g., saving for a laptop).
   • “Budget Busters” Deep Dive
     • Introduce “Life Events” spinner (e.g., “Car repair: $200”).
     • Teams adjust budgets to save 20% while handling surprises.
3. Handling Real-Life Scenarios:
   • Adjust budgets for surprises (e.g., phone repairs, medical costs).
   • Compare needs vs. wants (e.g., streaming subscriptions vs. textbooks).
   • Game Reflection:
     • “What trade-offs did you make? How did unexpected costs affect your goals?”
4. Interactive Activity:
   • Budget Challenge: Teams compete to stretch $500 while saving 20%.
   • Present budgets to the class; award “Best Saver” certificates.