Lesson 1 of 6
Being the boss of your money
5 min read
As you get older, you start handling a bit more money — pocket money, birthday money, maybe earnings from little jobs. That means it's time to become the boss of your money, instead of letting it just disappear without you noticing where it went.
Being the boss means making decisions on purpose. Before you spend, you pause and think: do I really want this, or do I just want to spend something? Is there something better I'm saving for that this money could go toward? These small pauses are what separate people who always run out of money from people who feel in control of it.
A great habit is to always know roughly how much money you have. People who lose track tend to overspend; people who know their number make better choices. You don't need anything fancy — just an idea of what's in your piggy bank, savings and pocket. Being the boss isn't about never having fun; it's about deciding where your money goes, rather than wondering where it went.
Key terms
- Being the boss of your money
- Making money decisions on purpose, instead of spending without thinking.
- Pause before spending
- Stopping to think before you buy, to make a smart choice.
Quick check
2 questions. No pass mark — this is just to make it stick. Sign in free to save your score.
Your notes
Private to you. Jot down the bit that mattered, a number to check, or a question to come back to.
Sign in to keep notes against each lesson.
Related lessons
A fun way to teach your child about money
Free lessons for ages 5–17, written to be read together — no child account, nothing tracked about your child.
Explore mySal Academy for kidsmySal helps your whole family understand money — set up your own numbers free.
A fun, friendly guide to money for young people — for learning and family discussion, not financial advice. Money rules and account types vary by country. Grown-ups: help younger children with anything involving real accounts or money.