I am Chloe. Do you have a big dream? Maybe you want a new tablet, a summer camp trip, or maybe you want to help a local animal shelter buy more food. These dreams are the starting point for everything we do with money. But a dream without a plan is just a wish! Today, we are learning how to turn those dreams into real, achievable Financial Goals. We’re going to map out the steps and look at the timeline to make sure your goals become your reality!I am Noah. One thing I’ve learned is that goals aren’t just for us as individuals. Sometimes, your whole family sets a goal to save for a vacation. Or your school class sets a goal to raise money for a charity. Even whole organizations and communities set goals! When we set goals together, we can achieve much bigger things. But whether it’s just you or a whole city, the process of planning is exactly the same.I am Liam. I’ll be your guide through the “Financial Weather.” Life is full of surprises. Sometimes you get a “helper,” like a relative giving you birthday money. Other times, you hit a “barrier,” like an unexpected expense or a change in your family’s situation. We’re going to look at how factors like health, income, and even social factors can affect your journey. Knowing these factors ahead of time helps you stay resilient!I am Maya. Achieving a goal is all about the “Trade-off.” You have to understand that every dollar has a job. If you spend it on one thing, it can’t do the job of another. We’re going to develop the “Social-Emotional Skills”—like patience and confidence—that you need to manage your money successfully. Let’s look at our Goal Tracker timeline and see how fast we can go!Financial goals come in three speeds. Immediate goals are the ones you can reach in just one or two months. This might be saving up for a new book or a movie ticket. Short-term goals take one or two years—like saving for a high-quality skateboard or a gaming console. And Long-term goals are the big ones that take more than two years, like saving for your education after high school. You can also have different types of goals. There are Earning goals, where you plan how to make money. There are Saving goals, for things you want to buy. There are Investing goals, where you put money away to grow. And there are Donating goals, where you plan how to give back to your community. By outlining these, you create a clear map for your future.But being a good planner means being realistic. An achievable goal is based on research and your specific context. This is where we look at the “Weather.” Many factors can help you reach your goal faster. An increase in Income (getting a part-time job or a higher allowance) is a big helper. A change in Priorities (deciding you’d rather have a bike than candy) is another. But barriers can interfere too! Health issues can cause expenses to go up. Social factors, like social inequalities, might mean some people have fewer opportunities to earn money in their neighborhood. Even a change in your family situation, like moving to a new house, can change your budget. A pro strategy is to anticipate these barriers. If you know a rainy day might come, you can build a small “Emergency Fund” to act as your umbrella!This brings us back to the Trade-off. Every time you reach for your wallet, ask yourself: “Does this purchase help me reach my Short-term goal?” If you choose to buy a five-dollar snack today, that is five dollars less in your “Savings” jar for your bike. This doesn’t mean you can never buy a snack, but it means you are making a conscious choice. This kind of thinking builds your competence. A major tip is to write your goals down and put them somewhere you can see them every day—like on your fridge or in your school notebook. Sharing your goals with your family or a teacher is also a great idea; they can offer feedback and support you when you hit a barrier. Whether you are saving for yourself or a community project, having a clear process makes you a superstar planner.When we talk about community goals, we are looking at how resources are shared. Maybe your school class wants to donate one hundred dollars to a local food bank. You’ll need to brainstorm how to earn that (maybe a car wash), track your progress, and celebrate when you hit the target! This teamwork builds a stronger society. Take a look at the goal-setting template in your lesson today. What is one Immediate goal you can set right now? Maybe it’s saving five dollars this month. Write it down, outline the steps, and start your journey! We can’t wait to see you reach the finish line. We will see you in the final video to talk about the secrets of the bank!
