Hi, I’m Zara Maddison, and I’m 12 years old. I found something cool that changed how I see money. Tracking your allowance and spending in a journal is actually really fun – not boring like grown-ups make it sound!
At first, I thought kids money tracking was like homework. But it’s more like a detective game with your money. You get to figure out “where did my allowance go?” and “how can I save for that awesome bike?”
Your money journal is like a treasure map. It shows where your money comes from and where it goes. Plus, it helps you plan for cool things you want to buy, just like setting up your own money goals.
The best part? Children financial education doesn’t have to be scary or complicated. I’ll show you how to make it as easy as writing in a diary about your day!
Why I Track Every Dollar I Get and Spend
I used to wonder where my money went. Then I started a money journal for kids. My allowance would arrive on Saturday, and by Wednesday, I’d search my backpack for coins.
My mom asked me to write down what I bought for a week. I thought it was boring. But I was curious about my money.
I found out I spent almost half my allowance on candy and snacks. Every day, I’d buy a soda and gummies without thinking. Those small buys added up to $12 a week!
Then I learned kids budgeting isn’t about being cheap. It’s about making smart choices. I wanted that skateboard, but it seemed far away.
I decided to buy treats only three times a week. This small change saved me $20 a month!
In four months, I saved enough for my skateboard and art supplies. I felt so proud of myself. Tracking my spending showed me every dollar matters.
Now, I track everything – birthday money, dog walking pay, and even couch coins. It only takes two minutes a day. But it changed how I see money forever.
If a 12-year-old like me can do it, you can too. Trust me, once you see where your money goes, you’ll feel in control of your spending and saving.
Creating Kids Money Journals for Daily Financial Tracking Made Simple
You can start tracking your money today with just a notebook and some colored pens. You don’t need fancy or expensive things to start building financial literacy for children. A simple notebook from the dollar store works great.
Before we start, get a notebook you like. Choose some colored pens or pencils. If you want neat lines, grab a ruler.
For money management kids can master, keep it simple. Tell kids to divide each page into two parts. Write “Money Coming In” on the left and “Money Going Out” on the right.
Make three columns under each section. The first column is for the date. The second column is for where the money came from or went to. The third column is for the amount.
Money Coming In: Allowance, Birthday Cash, and Chore Money
Let’s see how to track money coming in. Start with your regular allowance. Write down the date and amount you got.
Birthday money and holiday cash are fun to track. Kids love writing down money from grandma or aunt. Don’t forget money from extra chores.
You might find coins or get money for returning bottles and cans. Every penny counts in your journal. Use different colored pens for different types of income to make it fun.
Some kids draw pictures next to their entries. A birthday cake next to birthday money or a broom next to chore money makes it personal and fun.
Money Going Out: Toys, Snacks, and Fun Stuff
Tracking spending teaches kids about financial literacy. Create categories that fit your life. Toys and games usually take up a lot of spending.
Snacks and treats are another big category. Write down that candy bar or ice cream. It’s okay to spend money on things you enjoy. The goal is to know where your money goes.
I always tell kids to save for big purchases. Maybe you’re saving for a new video game or bike. Seeing your progress toward a goal feels amazing.
Don’t forget about money spent on gifts or fun activities. Keep receipts in your pocket and write everything down as soon as you get home.
The most important thing about money management kids can learn is making it a daily habit. Spend just two minutes each evening updating your journal. This simple routine will teach you more about money than any textbook ever could.
My Super Easy Daily Money Tracking Routine
Every evening, I spend five minutes on something that changed my money habits. It’s so easy, it doesn’t feel like work. You can do it too!
Here’s what I do every day. After dinner, I grab my kids savings tracker notebook. I sit at the kitchen table and think about my day. I write down every penny I got or spent.
I keep a small notebook in my backpack. When I spend money, I write it down right away. This way, I remember what I bought by evening.
Sometimes, I take pictures of receipts with my phone. My mom taught me this trick. I snap a photo and delete it after writing it down.
To make it fun, I use different colored pens for each day. Monday is blue, Tuesday is red, Wednesday is green, and so on. My money journal looks like a rainbow!
I give myself rewards for tracking my money for a week. Maybe I pick what we watch for family movie night. Or I treat myself to my favorite snack.
Let’s be real, sometimes I forget. But I don’t give up! I ask my parents for help or check my piggy bank.
Here are my top tips for sticking to this children financial education routine:
- Set a phone alarm for the same time every day
- Keep your tracking supplies in the same spot always
- Ask a family member to remind you until it becomes a habit
- Celebrate small wins when you remember multiple days in a row
The most important thing I learned is that it’s okay to make mistakes. Missing a day doesn’t mean you failed. Just start again the next day and keep getting better at it.
What I love most is how it turned money tracking into a game. Now, I look forward to my five minutes each evening. I get to see my progress and plan for tomorrow.
Making Your Money Journal Actually Fun to Use
Make your money journal fun to keep using it. I turned my money tracking into art. It’s no longer boring homework.
Stickers make everything better! I use stickers for different spending. A pizza slice sticker is for lunch money. A game controller sticker is for video games.
Colors tell my money story. I use green for saving, red for treats, and blue for needs. My journal looks like a rainbow every week.
Drawing pictures next to my entries makes it exciting. I draw an ice cream cone for treats. A piggy bank for savings.
Charts and graphs turn numbers into art. I make pie charts for snacks versus savings. Bar graphs compare my allowance to spending. It’s like a fun project.
- Star stickers for every day I remember to track
- Special treats when I earn ten stars
- High-five from family when I reach savings goals
- Fun themed pages for birthdays or holidays
I love making themed pages. My “birthday money bonanza” page tracks gifts. My “summer spending spree” page follows vacation buys.
Sharing progress with friends makes it fun. We compare stickers and celebrate savings.
Seasonal decorations keep things fresh. I add snowflakes in winter and flowers in spring. Halloween gets orange and black. Christmas pages sparkle with gold stars.
The best part? My journal shows my personality. It’s my special money friend that I look forward to using every day.
What Your Money Journal Will Teach You Every Week
Every week, my money journal teaches me something new. It’s like being a detective solving mysteries about my money.
In just three weeks, I found out I spend more on weekends. I also learned I buy snacks when I’m bored, not hungry. These pattern discoveries showed me why my money goes fast.
My journal taught me to compare prices before buying. Now, I check if things are worth my money. This decision-making skill saves me money every week.
Practicing math is easy and fun. I add up my spending and figure out how much to save. These money management kids skills make me feel smart!
Here’s what my weekly journal discoveries taught me:
- I spend more when I’m with friends than when I’m alone
- Packing snacks from home saves me $5 per week
- Setting small weekly goals helps me reach bigger monthly goals
- Writing down my purchases makes me think twice before buying
My parents are impressed with my money smarts. They even ask for my advice on family purchases. My journal proves I’m responsible with money.
The best part is seeing myself grow every week. Financial literacy for children can be fun and easy. My money journal shows I’m getting better at managing money every day.
Start Your Money Journey Today
My money journal changed everything for me. I used to spend without thinking. Now, I feel confident about every dollar I spend.
Starting your own kids savings tracker is easy. Just start with a few dollars. Write down what you have today. Track one purchase this week. That’s it! Small steps build big habits.
I used to worry about math and numbers. Now, my journal is my favorite daily activity. It shows me where my money goes and helps me save for things I really want.
Your children’s financial education starts with this simple tool. Every kid can learn to manage money well. It doesn’t matter how much allowance you get or how good you are with numbers.
The habits you build now will help you for life. At Assetsforkids, we believe every child can create a bright financial future. Your money journal is the first step toward becoming money-smart.
Grab a notebook today. Write down your first entry. Join thousands of kids who track their money and watch their savings grow. Your future self will thank you for starting this journey right now.
FAQ
What supplies do I need to start my money journal?
You don’t need fancy stuff! Just a regular notebook and some colored pens or pencils. Use green for money coming in and red for money going out. Add stickers or markers if you like.
The most important thing is to use it every day. Pick supplies that make you happy to write in it.
How much time does money tracking take each day?
It takes about 5 minutes each evening. I do it right after dinner or before bed. It’s quick once you get used to it.
I just write down any money I got or spent. Sometimes, I jot things down during the day. This makes the evening update faster.
What if I forget to track my money for a day or two?
It’s okay if you forget sometimes! If I forget, I ask my parents for help. Or I check my piggy bank.
You can also look at receipts if you kept them. Don’t give up. Just keep trying. Making mistakes is normal when you’re learning.
What categories should I use for tracking my money?
For money coming in, track things like allowance and birthday money. Also, extra chore money and coins you find.
For money going out, use categories like toys and snacks. Also, saving for big purchases and gifts. Make categories that fit your life.
How can I make money journaling more fun and less like homework?
There are many ways to make it fun! Use different colored pens for each day. Draw pictures next to your entries.
Give yourself star stickers when you remember to track. Create charts and graphs. Use themed pages for special occasions. Make your journal reflect your personality.
Will money journaling help me with math skills?
Yes, it will! You’ll practice math every day. You’ll learn about budgeting and planning. You’ll even create charts and graphs.
I’ve gotten better at mental math. I understand percentages and fractions better too. These skills are useful in real life!
How much money do I need to have to start a money journal?
You can start with any amount. It’s not about how much money you have. It’s about learning to track and manage it.
Whether you get a week or for your birthday, tracking it helps. It makes you make smarter choices and reach your goals faster.
What will I learn from keeping a money journal?
You’ll learn a lot about your money habits! I learned I was spending too much on vending machine snacks. I started packing snacks from home instead.
You’ll notice patterns like spending more on weekends or when you’re bored. You’ll become a money detective. Every week brings new discoveries about how to save money.
Should I track every single penny I spend?
Try to track everything, but don’t stress if you miss small amounts. The goal is to get a good picture of where your money goes.
If you spend 25 cents on a gumball machine, track it. But if you forget, don’t worry too much. Focus on building the habit first. Accuracy will come naturally as you get better.
How long should I keep my money journal?
I’ve been keeping mine for over a year, and it’s my favorite daily activity! The longer you keep it, the more patterns you’ll notice.
You’ll get smarter with money. Even after just a few weeks, you’ll see amazing changes. This skill will help you for your entire life. Start building it now!