digitalflow

Hi everyone! I am a 9th grade student and today I want to talk about a tragedy… My bank account. Just kidding! (But actually, it is a bit sad). We all love buying things, right? New games, cool sneakers, or just eating out. But there is a big problem: Money has wings and it flies away very fast. Last month, I spent all my pocket money in just one week. I was looking at my wallet and it was empty like a ghost town. I asked myself, “Did I eat the money or what?” Then I started my TÜBİTAK project about budget management to save my life (and my wallet).
Why we need a budget? 🤔
If you don’t have a plan, you are basically throwing your money to the wind. Or giving it to the school canteen lady for the 10th toast of the week. Here is what I do now:
The 50/30/20 Rule: I try to use this. 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for saving. My “wants” list is longer than the Nile River, guys, but I am trying to be strong!
Track everything: I use a simple app. When I see I spent 100 TL on snacks in two days, I feel like a clown. 🤡 Seeing the numbers makes it more easy to stop.
The 24-Hour Test: Before I buy a new skin in a game or a hoodie, I wait one day. Usually, the next day I realize I was just hungry or bored.
My Small Mistakes 😅
In the beginning, I maked some mistakes. I forgot to write down the small things. I thought, “It is just 5 TL, no problem.” But 20 times 5 TL is 100 TL! My math teacher was right, numbers are important. Also, saving money doesn’t mean you must sit in a corner and be sad. It just means you are being the boss of your money, not its slave.
Guiding Principle💫
“It’s not about how much money you make, it’s about how much money you keep.” Managing money gives you freedom. When you save, you don’t have to ask your parents for everything. That is a great feeling!
What about you? Are you a “spend it all in one day” person or a “saving for the future” person? Let’s talk in the comments!
If you liked my project, please hit the LIKE button! Let’s show everyone that 9th graders can be budget masters! 🏆🚀
This article was written by a 9th-grade student for a TÜBİTAK research project. ✍️