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Ages 7+ · Money · Spending wisely
Money mistakes happen
Take a deepbreathLook at whathappenedAsk if it canbe fixedMake a plan
What Omar did after his mistake.
The big ideaMoney mistakes happen to everyone. What helps is learning and trying again.

How it works

Omar bought a set of glitter pens fast and did not test one. They had all dried out.

He felt sad, but Grandpa said, Everybody makes money mistakes. I have too. A mistake is not the end, only something to learn from.

Omar and Grandpa followed four steps: take a deep breath, look at what happened, ask if it can be fixed, and make a plan.

There is no shame in a money mistake. What matters is what you do next.

Coins01234566Started with4Spent2Leftcoins
Omar's six coins.
🖊️test a pen🌙wait one sleep🫙save again
Omar's plan for next time.

Example 1: Counting the coins

  1. Omar took 6 coins and spent 4 on the pens.
  2. 6 − 4 = 2.
  3. Two coins were left in the jar.

Example 2: What went wrong

  1. The set cost 4 coins, and Omar had 6.
  2. He bought it fast and did not test a single pen.
  3. The pens had dried out, and the seller could not swap used pens.

Example 3: Four steps

  1. First, take a deep breath.
  2. Second, look at what happened. Third, ask if it can be fixed.
  3. Fourth, make a plan: next time, test a pen, and wait one sleep before buying.

Example 4: What helps

  1. Telling a grown-up helps, because they can help you think.
  2. Hiding what happened does not help, and neither does saying I am hopeless.
  3. A plan and a fresh start help, so try again.

Words to know

mistake
Something that went wrong, that you can learn from.
plan
What you will do differently next time.

Watch out

Try it

  1. Omar had 6 coins and spent 4. How many are left?
  2. Name two things Omar's plan says to do next time.
  3. Does hiding a mistake help?
  4. Is a money mistake something to be ashamed of?
Answers: 1. 2 · 2. Test a pen, and wait one sleep before buying · 3. No · 4. No
Try at homeAsk a grown-up to tell you about a money mistake they once made and what they learned. Everybody makes them.
For grown-upsShare a small money mistake of your own and what you learned, as Grandpa did, and keep it calm. The coins in this story are pretend.
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