TeenThreads mission: No shame. No confusion. Just real money skills that help teens feel confident and in control — at home, at school, and in the real world.

Note: This is educational, not personal financial advice. For major decisions, talk with a parent/guardian or a trusted financial professional.

Quick Jump

• How to Use This Hub
• Why Teen Money Skills Matter
• Budgeting Basics (Simple + Real)
• Saving (Goals, Emergencies, Big Wins)
• Banking (Checking, Debit, Fees)
• Earning Money (Jobs, Side Hustles, Taxes)
• Credit & Debt (The Truth)
• Scams, Traps & Online Spending
• Phone Plans, Subscriptions & “Silent Spending”
• Money at Home (Family Pressure + Boundaries)
• Money at School (Lunch, Events, Trips)
• Future Money (College, Trade, Car, Moving Out)
• Habits that Build Wealth (Teen Edition)
• Trusted Resources (Gov + Credible)
• 30-Question Teen Money Quiz

TeenThreads reality check: Money stress is one of the biggest quiet pressures in teen life.
The goal isn’t “be rich.” The goal is be ready — for school costs, emergencies, opportunities, and independence.

Money confidence gives you:

• less stress when something breaks or happens
• more freedom to choose what you want (school, job, life)
• less chance of being trapped by debt or scams
• more power to say “no” to pressure spending

A budget is a plan — not a punishment.

• Income: money you get (allowance, job, gifts, small hustle)
• Needs: school supplies, lunch, transport, basic life costs
• Wants: snacks, games, clothes, outings
• Savings: goals + emergency buffer

Teen-Friendly Budget Rule (Easy Starter)

• 50% needs (or school/life basics)
• 30% wants (fun, social, hobbies)
• 20% saving (future you)

If your money is limited, start with 5–10% saving. The habit matters more than the amount.

Three types of saving teens actually need:

• Goal savings: shoes, phone, bike, trip
• Emergency savings: “stuff happens” money
• Future savings: college/trade tools, car, moving out

TeenThreads tip: Name your savings like a mission: “My Car Fund,” “My College Fit,” “My Freedom Fund.”

Banking = protection. It keeps your money safer than carrying cash — but you must understand fees.

• Checking account: for spending and daily use
• Debit card: spends money you already have
• Overdraft: spending more than you have (often triggers fees)
• ATM fees: cost for using the “wrong” ATM
• Autopay: automatic charges (good when planned, dangerous when forgotten)

Learn more: CFPB – Bank Accounts

Money comes from value. The faster you learn to provide value, the faster you learn independence.

• Jobs: steady income, teaches discipline and time management
• Teen-safe hustles: tutoring, lawn care, babysitting, tech help, art/graphic design, pet care
• Online caution: avoid “get rich quick” content and unknown “business mentors”
• Taxes basics: some jobs withhold taxes; learning pay stubs is a life skill

Teen work rules vary by state. For general guidance:
U.S. Dept. of Labor – Youth Labor

Credit is not free money. It’s borrowing now and paying later — usually with interest.

• Credit score: reputation number lenders use
• Interest: the “extra” you pay for borrowing
• Debt trap: paying minimums forever while interest grows
• Best teen rule: if you can’t buy it twice, wait (for wants)

Learn: CFPB – Credit Reports & Scores

• Fake giveaways: “You won!” (you didn’t)
• Money-flip scams: “Send $20, get $200” (scam)
• Peer pressure scams: friends asking for logins or “help” with payments
• Subscription traps: free trial that quietly starts charging
• Phishing: fake emails/texts trying to steal your info

Trusted scam education:
FTC – Scams
•
IdentityTheft.gov

Silent spending is money leaving your account in tiny amounts that don’t feel “real” — until they add up.

• apps + skins + in-game purchases
• multiple subscriptions
• delivery fees + tips
• convenience snacks daily

Fix: Do a “Subscription Sweep” once a month and cancel what you don’t use.

• Different families, different realities: some teens have allowance, some don’t — respect that.
• If money is tight: budgeting and planning become even more powerful.
• Boundaries: you can be supportive without being financially controlled or guilted.
• Ask for clarity: “What do you expect me to pay for vs what do you cover?”

• Lunch money: plan for the week so it doesn’t disappear in 2 days
• Events: dances, games, club dues — add them to your plan early
• Peer pressure spending: practice saying: “I’m saving right now.”
• School trips: break big costs into small weekly savings targets

TeenThreads future-proofing: The best money skill is learning to plan early.
A little planning now saves a lot of stress later.

• College/Trade: understand costs, aid, and what you’ll actually owe
• Car costs: gas, insurance, repairs, registration (not just “buying the car”)
• First apartment: rent + deposit + utilities + food adds up fast
• Best move: learn costs before committing

Student aid basics:
Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov)

• Track your money weekly (5 minutes)
• Pay yourself first (save before spending)
• Delay small wants (24-hour rule)
• Build skills that increase earning power (grades, trade skills, communication)
• Choose friends wisely (some people pressure you into bad decisions)
• Protect your identity (your name is your financial future)

• MyMoney.gov – Financial Education
• CFPB – Money as You Grow
• Consumer.gov (FTC) – Consumer Basics
• FTC – Scams
• IdentityTheft.gov
• CFPB – Credit Reports & Scores
• U.S. DOL – Youth Labor
• Federal Student Aid
• Khan Academy – Personal Finance
• Investor.gov (SEC) – Investing Basics

How to use: Answer privately. Learn what you don’t know. Then level up.

1. A budget is: (A) punishment (B) plan
2. Income means: (A) money you get (B) money you owe
3. Needs are: (A) snacks only (B) basics like school/transport
4. Wants are: (A) optional/fun (B) required for survival
5. Saving is best started: (A) someday (B) now, even small
6. Overdraft means: (A) extra free money (B) spending more than you have
7. ATM fees are: (A) sometimes charged for certain ATMs (B) always zero
8. Debit card uses: (A) your money (B) bank’s free gift
9. Credit is: (A) borrowing (B) free money
10. Interest is: (A) extra cost of borrowing (B) discount forever
11. Minimum payments on debt can: (A) keep you in debt longer (B) erase debt fast
12. Best rule for wants: (A) buy instantly (B) 24-hour rule
13. Silent spending includes: (A) subscriptions (B) nothing
14. “Money flip” offers are usually: (A) scams (B) guaranteed
15. Phishing is: (A) fake messages stealing info (B) fishing sport
16. Identity theft risk is reduced by: (A) sharing passwords (B) protecting logins
17. A pay stub can show: (A) earnings and deductions (B) only memes
18. Taxes are: (A) always optional (B) may be withheld from pay
19. Best way to reach a goal is: (A) hope (B) weekly savings target
20. Emergency savings is for: (A) random problems (B) vacations only
21. Peer pressure spending can be handled by: (A) “I’m saving” (B) going broke
22. Car costs include: (A) gas/insurance/repairs (B) only the price tag
23. Financial aid basics can be learned at: (A) studentaid.gov (B) random DMs
24. Scams education is at: (A) FTC scam pages (B) unknown influencers
25. Credit score relates to: (A) borrowing reputation (B) shoe size
26. Best money habit: (A) never track (B) track weekly
27. Saving before spending is called: (A) pay yourself first (B) pay everyone else first
28. Subscriptions should be reviewed: (A) monthly (B) never
29. Best protection online: (A) strong passwords + caution (B) sharing logins
30. TeenThreads money goal is: (A) shame (B) confidence + control

TeenThreads Final Word: Money skills don’t require “being rich.” They require practice.
Start small. Stay consistent. Protect your future.