Membership – Junior Savers – Junior Zone

Is It a Need or a Want?
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if we really need something—or if it’s just something we really want. That’s where learning about financial literacy comes in! At LPECCUL, we believe it’s never too early to start building smart money habits. In this session, we cover the basics of needs vs. wants, budgeting, saving vs. borrowing, and more. These lessons are simple, clear, and designed just for kids like you. By the end, you’ll have a strong foundation to make better choices with your money.

Understanding Needs vs. Wants
A need is something we must have to live—like food, water, or a safe place to sleep. A want is something we’d like to have, but it isn’t necessary—like video games, books, phones, or even a new pair of sneakers. Sometimes it’s tricky to tell the difference, but learning the definitions helps us decide what matters most.

Save Now or Borrow Later?
We also talk about saving versus borrowing. Saving means putting money aside now so you can buy something later—maybe a new bike or a special gift. It takes time, but it feels great when you reach your goal! If you want something sooner, you might borrow money. But borrowing means you have to pay it back—and sometimes even more than you borrowed, which is called interest.

Why Budgeting Matters
That’s why budgeting is so useful! A budget is a plan for how you’ll use your money. Let’s say you decide to spend $50 on snacks and school lunches for the week. If you go over that amount, you might need to spend less somewhere else. Budgeting helps make sure you don’t spend more than you have—and keeps you out of debt.

Keep Learning and Growing
We hope you enjoyed learning these smart money skills! Want to keep going? Visit our website to check out our free worksheets, activities, and more fun tools to help you grow into a money-smart member!