Mini Lesson:

Saving 4.1a

Short Story: Leo’s Empty Jar

Leo had been saving his money to buy a cool new video game that cost $40. He had $20 saved so far and felt excited to reach his goal.

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One day, Leo went to the snack shop with his friends after school. He bought a soda for $2. "It's just a small thing," he thought. The next day, he bought a bag of chips for $3. The week after that, Leo spent $5 on a toy he saw at the store.

Week after week, Leo kept making small purchases. Each time, he thought, "It's only a little money. I’ll still save enough."

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But one Saturday, Leo looked at his savings jar and was shocked. There was only $5 left! He had spent almost all his money on snacks and toys without realizing it. Now, he didn’t have enough for the video game.

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Leo felt disappointed. He decided to stop spending on little things so he could save for the game again. Next time, he would think carefully before spending his money.

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Discussion

Why didn’t Leo realize he was running out of money?

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What could Leo have done differently to reach his goal?

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How do small purchases add up over time?

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Have you ever successfully saved money to purchase something?

Why it is often harder to save than to spend money?

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