Introduction
With over 25 years of experience in the financial literacy education space, our work consistently shows that the most powerful money lessons for kids are built around simple habits repeated over time. This page highlights how the song “The Secret (Saving Is a Great Habit)” aligns with national and state financial literacy standards for grades K–8, reinforcing consistent saving, positive money behaviors, and lifelong financial confidence through music.
At its core, The Secret delivers an important message children can understand and remember: saving works, and it works for everyone. Rather than focusing on how much to save, the song emphasizes the habit itself—making saving feel achievable, empowering, and repeatable.
Song Overview
Song: The Secret (Saving Is a Great Habit)
Primary Financial Concept:
Saving money consistently is a powerful habit that anyone can build, regardless of how small they start.
Primary Category:
Save
Building the Saving Habit
Save First
Habit Formation
Key Message:
Saving is a simple habit that creates positive outcomes over time. When children learn this “secret” early, they gain confidence and control over their money choices.
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 choosing to save instead of spending immediately
Reinforces that small, repeated decisions add up
Builds awareness that habits shape outcomes
Standard 2: Money Management
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
How the song aligns:
Frames saving as a repeated behavior, not a one-time event
Encourages consistency and follow-through
Reinforces saving as a foundation for managing money well
Jump$tart Coalition
National Standards in K–12 Personal Finance Education
Saving & Financial Decision Making
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
How the song aligns:
Reinforces saving early and often
Encourages delayed gratification
Emphasizes that saving works “every time” when practiced consistently
National Financial Educators Council (NFEC)
Core Financial Literacy Framework
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
How the song aligns:
Builds financial responsibility through habit formation
Encourages confidence and belief in positive money behaviors
Reinforces consistency over complexity
Social-Emotional Learning (CASEL)
Competencies:
Self-Management · Responsible Decision-Making
How the song aligns:
Encourages self-control and discipline
Builds confidence through repeated success
Connects saving to positive emotions and self-belief
Standards Alignment by Grade Band
K–2 (Ages 5–7): Discovering the Saving Habit
Big idea: Saving is something I can do.
Introduces saving as easy and achievable
Reinforces that anyone can save
Builds early confidence around money choices
Grades 3–5 (Ages 8–10): Repetition & Consistency
Big idea: Saving a little at a time adds up.
Reinforces repeated saving behavior
Encourages saving more over time
Builds habit awareness and follow-through
Grades 6–8 (Ages 11–13): Ownership & Responsibility
Big idea: Saving habits help me reach goals.
Connects saving to long-term outcomes
Reinforces personal responsibility
Builds confidence in managing money independently
State-Level Standards Alignment (Selected States)
The Secret (Saving Is a Great Habit) aligns with saving-focused financial literacy standards across multiple states:
California (CA): Saving behaviors and long-term outcomes
Texas (TX): Saving habits and responsible money management
New York (NY): Money management and decision-making
Washington (WA): Saving and planning behaviors
Ohio (OH): Financial responsibility and habit formation
Iowa (IA): Life skills and consistent saving
Utah (UT): Save-first mindset and goal-setting
Wisconsin (WI): Habit-based financial decisions
Massachusetts (MA): Responsible money use and planning
Why This Song Works in the Classroom
Simple, memorable message
Focuses on habit rather than amounts
Builds confidence and positive money identity
Strong alignment with financial literacy and SEL standards
Bottom line:
The Secret (Saving Is a Great Habit) teaches children that saving isn’t complicated—it’s a habit anyone can build, and it works when practiced consistently.
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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