Budgeting Basic for Teens - Georges Beaini - Grade 11

Introduction

Have you ever reached the end of the week and wondered where your money has disappeared to? Do you want to buy something special but realize you can't afford it? Budgeting won't be the most thrilling subject—but it is an incredibly powerful tool which can help you take control of your money, reduce stress, and reach your goals.



In this WebQuest, you will learn the basics of budgeting your expenses, prioritizing, and saving smart. You're going to be your own money boss!

 

Task

Your task is to become a teen budget wizard! You will:

  • Learn about budgeting, needs versus wants, and saving.
  • Use a budget calculator to prepare a one-month budget.
  • Create a personal "Teen Budget Plan" using an online template.
  • Plan a poster or infographic to teach other teens how to budget.

By the end of this WebQuest, you'll be an expert at controlling your finances, today and in the future.

Process

Step 1: Know the Difference

Make a list of:

  • 5 needs (things you must spend money on)
  • 5 wants (things you can live without)

Step 2: Make Your Budget

Step 3: Be Creative

  • Design a poster or infographic for other teens. Include:
    • 3 budgeting tips
    • 1 motivational quote about money
    • An image or chart

Use Canva or Google Slides to create it.

Step 4: Submit Your Work

  • Upload:
    • Your completed budget
    • Your infographic
    • A short reflection (5–6 sentences): “What did you learn about yourself and your spending habits?
Evaluation

Criteria

Excellent (5)

Good (4)

Satisfactory (3)

Needs Improvement (1–2)

Budget Plan

Accurate, clear, and realistic

Mostly realistic with few errors

Basic effort, lacks detail

Incomplete or inaccurate

Infographic

Creative, informative, visually clear

Clear with some creativity

Average effort and design

Low effort or off-topic

Reflection

Insightful and personal

Thoughtful but general

Simple or short

Missing or unclear

Formatting

Consistent and neat

Mostly clean

Slightly messy

Unorganized

Citations

APA formatted and complete

Some errors

Basic listing

Missing

Conclusion

Money can't buy happiness, it's true. But it definitely affects your peace of mind. Budgeting gives you the power, not just over your money, but over your power to decide, plan, and grow.