National and State Financial Literacy Standards Alignment: Budget! (K–8 Money Song)
With over 25 years of experience in the financial literacy education space, our work consistently shows that one of the most empowering skills children can learn early is how to make a simple money plan. This page highlights how the song “Budget!” aligns with national and state financial literacy standards for grades K–8, helping students understand how money flows in and out—and how planning brings clarity, confidence, and control.
A budget doesn’t restrict kids—it protects them. Budget! introduces budgeting as a practical, visual tool that helps children track income, manage spending, reduce stress, and stay in control of their money choices.
Song Overview
Song: Budget!
Primary Financial Concept:
A budget is a money plan that shows where money comes from, where it goes, and helps people stay in control of their finances.
Primary Category:
Grow & Plan
Budgeting (Money Maps)
Tracking Progress
Planning Ahead
Supporting Concepts:
Money Is a Tool
Decision Making
Habits & Responsibility
Reduce Financial Stress
Key Message:
A budget is not about limits—it’s about clarity. When kids know where their money is going, they can make better choices and feel more confident.
National Standards Alignment
Council for Economic Education (CEE)
National Standards for Personal Financial Education
Standard 1: Decision Making
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
Effective decision making requires comparing costs and benefits.
How the song aligns:
Encourages thoughtful planning before spending
Reinforces cause-and-effect thinking
Helps students evaluate whether they are “ahead or behind”
Standard 2: Money Management
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
How the song aligns:
Defines a budget as a money plan
Reinforces tracking income and expenses
Encourages staying organized and intentional with money
Jump$tart Coalition
National Standards in K–12 Personal Finance Education
Budgeting & Money Management
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
How the song aligns:
Introduces budgeting as a core money skill
Reinforces planning, tracking, and staying in control
Supports understanding of cash flow (“in and out”)
National Financial Educators Council (NFEC)
Core Financial Literacy Framework
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
How the song aligns:
Builds financial responsibility and awareness
Reinforces planning as a stress-reduction tool
Encourages proactive money management
Social-Emotional Learning (CASEL)
Competencies:
Responsible Decision-Making · Self-Management
How the song aligns:
Reduces anxiety through clarity and planning
Encourages organization and follow-through
Reinforces confidence and self-control
Standards Alignment by Grade Band
K–2 (Ages 5–7): Understanding a Money Plan
Big idea: A budget helps me know where my money goes.
Introduces the idea of a money plan
Reinforces simple “in and out” concepts
Builds early comfort with money organization
Grades 3–5 (Ages 8–10): Tracking & Control
Big idea: A budget helps me stay in control of my money.
Reinforces adding and subtracting
Introduces tracking spending and income
Encourages responsibility and awareness
Grades 6–8 (Ages 11–13): Planning & Confidence
Big idea: Planning ahead helps me avoid money problems.
Reinforces budgeting as a life skill
Connects planning to reduced stress
Prepares students for real-world money decisions
State-Level Standards Alignment (Selected States)
Budget! aligns with budgeting and money-management standards across multiple states:
California (CA): Planning, tracking money, economic decision-making
Texas (TX): Budgeting and personal financial responsibility
New York (NY): Money management and financial planning
Washington (WA): Budgeting and tracking expenses
Ohio (OH): Financial planning and organization
Iowa (IA): Life skills and money management
Utah (UT): Budgeting and financial planning
Wisconsin (WI): Habit-based money management
Massachusetts (MA): Responsible money use and planning
Why This Song Works in the Classroom
Clearly defines what a budget is
Uses simple, repeatable language
Connects budgeting to confidence and reduced stress
Aligns strongly with financial literacy and SEL standards
Bottom line:
Budget! teaches children that a budget is a helpful tool—not a punishment—and that planning ahead leads to confidence, control, and better money choices.
Download the Standards Alignment PDF
If you’d like a downloadable PDF version of this standards alignment for classroom use, curriculum review, or district adoption, please contact us. We’re happy to provide a printable version aligned with national and state standards.
More Resources Supporting the Song
Additional Songs and Fun Resources
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parents, teachers, and community leaders learning and growing their financial literacy teaching skills by reading Sam X Renick's series of articles: Money Lessons Parents Should Teach Kids!
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