TEACHING MEAL PREPARATION, SPENDING, AND SAVING MONEY SKILLS LESSON IDEA

Here is a meal planning, and saving money lesson teaching idea from one of our members.

It may be modified for classroom use as well:

Once a week, I let my children use $20 dollars to plan, shop, and pay for a meal that they prepare.

Materials:

- recipe books (or internet search for recipes)

- local newspaper advertisements

- local newspaper coupons

Meal Plan Procedure:

First, have the kids find their favorite recipe either in recipe books, or by searching recipe sites on the internet.  For my kids, pancakes is their favorite recipe.

They must first find the recipe they will use. Next, have them make a list of ingredients they need to prepare the meal.

Next, they should look through the paper for coupons or sales and compare prices.  I then take them to the store to purchase their ingredients. They love the seeking through the sales and even clipping coupons.

While doing this, they write the the price of the product and figure out how much cheaper it is to purchase with and with out coupons and sales.

We then total the cost with and with out coupons. The extra money is put into savings for them for something school related, such as books, pens, pencils, and paper.

Suggested Classroom modification:

This lesson may be completed without the trip to the store.  Or, the store trip may be completed by the students with their parents.