I.

Attention Getter
1. Have everyone sit around the kitchen table
2. Visual Aid – have 3 items in the center of the table (something the kids would
want to buy – Toy, I pod, Basketball, Book, candy bars, etc.)

II. Read a Scripture

1. Matthew 6:19 & 2 Nephi 9:51

III. The Principl

Principle of 3
1. Use Pages – Tithing, Savings, Spending – to explain that when we receive money
it is divided into 3 parts.
2. Every person who understands and follows this Principal will be master of their
money!

IV. Activity
Activity (to Apply The Principle of 3)
1. Give each family member a bunch of money – real or paper
2. Give each family member a tithing, savings, and spending ½ page
3. Read aloud the money situations and let everyone divvy their “Money” up

V. Family Challenge
1. Get everyone a savings account at the bank this week

VI. Treat
1. Make a Cake, Lime Pie or large frosted Sugar Cookie, and then
make little flags from toothpicks and paper folded and glued to the top of the
toothpick -with the words (mission, tithing, clothing, education, recreation, food,
bills). Now as you cut everyone a piece they can have a slice/piece of the budget!

Lesson Preparation:
1. Copy dollar pages onto green paper and cut up and divide for your children
2. Copy the pages that say, Tithing, Spending, Savings onto colored paper and be
sure each person has a set of their own for the activity
3. Print the 3 pages that say, 1-tithing 2-savings 3-spending (visual for lesson)
4. Gather 3 objects for Visual Aids (starting off at the table)
5. Make Dessert w/budget flags
 10%
TITHING

DIVIDE
Your
Money
80% 10%
SPENDING SAVINGS
1. Tithing

Successful finances begin with the payment

of an honest tithe and the giving of a generous fast
offering. The Lord has promised to open the windows
of heaven and pour out great blessings upon those
who pay tithes and offerings faithfully.
 2. Savings

If you save a little money regularly, you will

will be surprised how
much accumulates over time. It is wise to have
have money saved
for a “rainy day”
day”. Saving is essential to your financial security
and peace of mind!
Put away a little money every time you get any money. First
pay your tithing, second save some money, then you can
spend!
 3. Spending

We live in a world full of wonderful things. We must

must choose
to be in control! It’s
It’s okay to spend, after we have taken time
to make sure it is a wise choice!

It’s wise to say, “I can’t afford it – even though I want it” or

“I can afford it, but I don’t need it!”
10%

10%
Savings
10% or more!

Savings
10% or more!
Spending

Spending
This page is to help in making flags for your Dessert – print this page, cut out the rectangles and
then fold them over a toothpick and glue together. Now place the flags in your cake or cookie.

Mission

Tithing

Clothing

Education

Food

Bills

Recreation

Savings
 Money Situations – for the Activity
READ:
1. Adam had just mowed neighbor’s yard. He earned $20. He wants to purchase a Slip & slide for
$18.00.
ASK:
• Does he have enough money to purchase it? Or should he wait till next week when he gets
paid again?
ANSWER: No, he will have to wait one more week.
1. $2.00 should be set on top of the tithing paper,
2. at least $2.00 on top of the Savings paper
3. leaving Adam with $16.00 for spending on a slip and slide

Tithing Savings Spending

READ:
1. Savana has baby-sat 3 times this month! She is so excited; she wants to buy a cd player and
hopes she has enough. She has earned $14.00, $16.00 and last night she got $10.00. The cd
player is $30.00.
ASK:
• Does she have enough money? Or does she need to wait a little longer?
ANSWER: YES, with even a little extra
1. $4.00 should be set on top of the tithing paper,
2. Put at least $4.00 on top of the Savings paper
3. Leaving Savana with $32.00 for purchasing her cd player

Tithing Savings Spending

READ:
1 Kendall picked raspberries at Grandma’s house. He earned $10. He wants to buy $1.00 worth
of candy at the store and a watch for $8.00.
ASK:
• Does he have enough money to purchase it? Or should he wait and earn more money?

ANSWER: No, he will have to wait

1. $1.00 should be set on top of the tithing paper,
2 at least $1.00 on top of the Savings paper
3 leaving Kendall with $8.00 for spending on a watch and candy

Tithing Savings Spending

 Adapting to Teenagers
If your teenager has a regular income (job, allowance) begin teaching him/her how to
budget their money. The time to teach them how to budget is not the week before they
go to college or leave on a mission. A budget should be a natural part of any income
earner – at any age. Budgets teach and prepare children for successful lives.
Budgeting is deciding where to spend your money

From a Budget they will learn:

Am I paying my tithing FIRST?

How to think ahead – what do I need to save up for? (Mission, college, prom, car,
cell phone, bike, i-pod)

How much do I need for entertainment? (should I be more careful in this area?)

Do I have a bank account?

Do I have several savings accounts to organize my savings? ( mission account,
college account, prom account, i-pod account)

Do I spend less than I earn?

Teach them to budget and help them re-evaluate each month/year (just like you do).

Teenagers want to have responsibility and be trusted, they will be excited to learn how “grown ups”
deal with money. Good habits start today. Mistakes are less painful made as a youth than as an adult.
Give your child the gift of Money Smarts!!!

*Challenge every family member to read Elder Hales talk during the upcoming week and then follow-up
on Sunday with a discussion about it. April 2009 General Conference

Adapting to Couples & Singles

Is Tithing First?

Read the talk from Elder R.D. Hales from April 2009 General Conference

Memorize: 2 Nephi 9:51

Do you budget? If not, start with the attached budget sheet

Do you spend Less than you earn? If not, set some goals, find money saving tips,
read money saving books and get educated!

Do you regularly save? How much are you saving now? Are you saving for
retirement? Do you need to start or up those amounts?

Do you have debt?
o Make a plan to get out of debt!
o Use Elder Marvin J. Ashton’s booklet “One for the Money”
o There are many free on-line debt reduction calculators
o Know what it will take to get out of debt!