Saving and Budgeting

Smart Money Habits for Every Age

Learn by Age: Helping Aussie Kids and Teenagers Become Savvy with Their Cash

A hand is using a calculator next to a pile of money.

Saving and budgeting are important life skills—and the best time to start learning is now!


Whether your child is learning the value of coins or your teen is saving for their first car, this page makes saving fun, engaging, and easy to understand.


Explore tips, tools, and activities designed just for Australian kids and teenagers to help them build smart money habits from a young age.

🌱 Ages 5–7: Little Savers

At this age, kids are just beginning to understand what money is and how it’s used.


Let’s make saving a fun adventure!


What They’ll Learn:


  • Why saving is important: So you don’t spend all your money at once!


  • The “Three Jars” System:
  • Spend Jar: For small treats
  • Save Jar: For bigger goals
  • Share Jar: For giving to others


  • Goal Setting: “I want to save for a toy!”


  • Fun Activities: Printable colouring sheets, goal trackers, and sticker charts.


🎨 Free Download: [My First Budget Sheet – Ages 5–7]


🪙 Top Tip: Match savings with a “parent bonus” to encourage consistency!

🧠 Ages 8–12: Smart Spenders

Kids in this age range are ready to start budgeting and making choices with their own money—whether it's from pocket money, gifts, or a mini business like a lemonade stand.


What They’ll Learn:


  • The value of saving over time – even small amounts add up!
  • Short-term goals (like buying a video game) vs long-term goals (saving for a bike).
  • How to use an allowance tracker to see where money goes.
  • “Three Jars” gets upgraded: Learn about percentages (like saving 50%, spending 40%, and sharing 10%).


📊 Free Download: [Kid-Friendly Budgeting Sheet – Ages 8–12]


🧃 Try This: Create a mini savings challenge—can you save $20 in 4 weeks?

🚀 Ages 13–17: Future Investors

Teenagers are at the perfect age to learn real-world money skills.


They may be earning money from part-time jobs or side hustles—and now’s the time to build financial independence.


What They’ll Learn:


  • Budgeting for real life: Track income, spending, and savings goals.
  • Understanding needs vs wants: Why saving is smarter than impulse spending.
  • Setting up digital budget tools or using printable trackers.
  • How to set SMART goals:
  • Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
  • Explore bank accounts and how interest works on savings.


📎 Free Download: [Teenage Budget & Goal Planner – Ages 13–17]


💡 Pro Tip: Start a savings account with an Australian bank and watch your money grow with interest.

A brain with puzzle pieces in a thought bubble.

✨ Why Saving Matters

(For All Ages)

Saving teaches patience, decision-making, and responsibility.


Whether your child is dreaming of a toy, a bike, or their first car, saving helps them turn dreams into achievable goals.

🎁 Bonus Printables for Parents & Teachers

💬 Final Thought

Money doesn’t have to be confusing—and saving doesn’t have to be boring.


When kids learn how to manage money early, they grow up confident, capable, and financially fit.


Start today, and make saving a fun part of everyday life!



Learn. Save. Grow. 💡
Building brighter financial futures—one coin at a time!