Banking · Saving · Video Lesson

Saving Money When You Are Broke

A practical lesson covering eight strategies for saving money when income is limited — from assessing your financial situation and building a budget to finding additional income sources and automating savings. Designed for middle and high school students and adult education.

Grades 7–12 Video Lesson 45–60 min Free Lesson Worksheet: Full Membership

What Students Learn

Learning objectives

How to assess your current financial situation honestly before making a savings plan
How to create a basic budget that identifies room for savings even on a tight income
Practical strategies for cutting everyday expenses without major lifestyle changes
Why paying off high-interest debt is often the most effective “savings” move available
How to build a starter emergency fund even when money is tight
How to identify additional income sources and how to automate savings to stay consistent

For Teachers

How to use this lesson

This lesson is especially effective with older students who can connect the strategies to real-life situations — particularly those with part-time jobs, family financial responsibilities, or student loan debt. The video is followed by a class discussion and a budgeting worksheet where students apply the strategies to a realistic scenario.

A group activity assigns different scenarios (single parent, college student, recent graduate) to small groups who build a budget and savings plan for their situation. A personal reflection component asks students to identify one or two strategies they could apply immediately to their own finances.

Mixed Access