Maths hiding in pocket money: sale temptation

Quick answer

Maths hiding in pocket money: sale temptation? Yes! When you see a sale, you can use maths to work out if it's really a good deal. Sometimes a lower price doesn't mean you're saving money – especially if you don't really need the item.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to work out if a sale is really a good deal by comparing prices and thinking about how much you actually need.

• You can calculate how much money you save with a sale.
• You can decide whether buying something on sale is a smart choice.
• You can spot when a sale might be a trick to make you buy more than you need.
• You can use maths to make better choices with your pocket money.

Why this matters

When you have pocket money, you’re learning to be a smart shopper. Sales can make things look cheaper, but that doesn’t always mean you’re getting a good deal. Maths helps you understand what’s really happening. Whether you're choosing between toys, snacks, or clothes, using maths helps you make better choices with your money. It also helps you understand why some things cost more and others less, and why a sale might not be as good as it seems.

How it works

Let’s break it down into simple steps:

1. Find the original price – This is how much something costs normally.
2. Find the sale price – This is how much it costs now with the discount.
3. Calculate how much you save – Subtract the sale price from the original price.
4. Decide if it’s worth it – Ask yourself: Do I really need this? Will I use it?

Examples you can see

Let’s look at a few examples to help you understand:

Example 1: A toy car

Imagine a toy car costs £4.99 normally. There’s a sale for 20% off. Let’s work out the new price:

• 20% of £4.99 = £1.00 (rounded)
• New price = £4.99 - £1.00 = £3.99
• You save £1.00

But, is it worth buying? If you already have 3 toy cars and don’t really need another one, maybe not!

Example 2: A book

A book costs £6.00 normally. It’s on sale for 50% off.

• 50% of £6.00 = £3.00
• New price = £6.00 - £3.00 = £3.00
• You save £3.00

This looks like a great deal. But if you already have 5 books and don’t need another one, maybe it’s not the best use of your money.

Example 3: A chocolate bar

One chocolate bar costs £1.20. There’s a “buy 2, get 1 free” offer.

• You get 3 bars for the price of 2
• So, 2 × £1.20 = £2.40
• Each bar = £2.40 ÷ 3 = £0.80

That’s a real saving! You’re getting 1 bar for free, so you save 40p per bar.

Try it as a mini adventure

Let’s go on a Maths Adventure: Sale Detective!

You are a detective and your job is to find the best deals in a shop. Here’s how the adventure works:

1. Step 1: You see a toy that costs £10.00. It’s on sale for 30% off. What’s the new price?
2. Step 2: You have £5.00 in your pocket. Can you afford it?
3. Step 3: You think, “I already have this toy.” Is it a good idea to buy it?
4. Step 4: You find another toy that costs £15.00 but is 25% off. Which is the better deal?
5. Step 5: You decide to buy the one that saves you more money. What did you choose?

Can you work out the answers to these questions? Let’s try:

1. 30% of £10.00 = £3.00. New price = £7.00
2. £7.00 is more than £5.00 – you can’t afford it.
3. No, you already have the toy – so it’s not a good idea.
4. 25% of £15.00 = £3.75. New price = £11.25
5. Compare £7.00 and £11.25 – the first one saves more money (£3.00 vs £3.75).

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that a sale with a discount always means you save money.
  Why it happens: You focus only on the discount and not on how much you’re actually spending.
  Fix: Always work out the new price and think if you really need the item.
• Mistake: Buying something just because it’s on sale.
  Why it happens: You get excited by the idea of a lower price.
  Fix: Ask yourself: Do I really need this? Will I use it?
• Mistake: Not checking if the sale is a real saving.
  Why it happens: You don’t understand how discounts work.
  Fix: Learn how to calculate the discount and compare prices carefully.
• Mistake: Thinking that a “buy 2, get 1 free” offer is the same as 33% off.
  Why it happens: You don’t think about how much you actually pay for each item.
  Fix: Work out the price per item to see how much you really save.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:

1. Playing “sale detective” together when you go shopping. Ask your child to work out the new price of items.
2. Discussing why some sales are good and others aren’t. Help them think about what they really need.
3. Letting your child use their pocket money to make choices. This builds confidence and decision-making skills.
4. Using everyday items like snacks, toys, or books to create maths problems. For example: “If a packet of crisps costs 50p and you have £2, how many packets can you buy?”
5. Encouraging your child to ask questions like: “Is this really a good deal?” or “Do I need this?”

Remember: It’s okay if your child doesn’t get it right away. The most important thing is to keep practising and asking questions!

Practice questions

1. Item costs £8.00. Sale is 25% off. What is the new price?
2. You have £5.00. Can you afford the item from question 1?
3. A book costs £4.00. It’s 50% off. What is the new price?
4. You have £3.00. Can you afford the book from question 3?
5. A pack of 6 pencils costs £3.00. What is the price per pencil?
6. There’s a “buy 3, get 1 free” offer on the same pencils. What is the new price for 4 pencils?
7. What is the price per pencil now?
8. How much did you save per pencil?

Answers:

1. New price = £8.00 - 25% of £8.00 = £8.00 - £2.00 = £6.00
2. No, £6.00 is more than £5.00
3. New price = £4.00 - 50% of £4.00 = £4.00 - £2.00 = £2.00
4. Yes, £2.00 is less than £3.00
5. £3.00 ÷ 6 = £0.50 per pencil
6. 3 pencils cost £3.00. 4 pencils = £3.00
7. £3.00 ÷ 4 = £0.75 per pencil
8. £0.75 - £0.50 = £0.25 saved per pencil

FAQ

Why is it important to use maths with pocket money?

Using maths helps you make smarter choices with your money. It helps you understand if a sale is really a good deal, and if you really need something.

How can I teach my child about sales without making it boring?

Turn it into a game! Play “sale detective” or let your child decide what to buy with their pocket money. Use real items and make it fun!

What if my child still buys things they don’t need, even after learning about sales?

That’s normal! Learning to make good choices with money is a skill that takes time. Keep practicing and talking about it. It’s about progress, not perfection.

Can I use this with younger children?

Yes! You can simplify the questions and focus on basic subtraction and thinking about needs vs wants. For example: “If you have 5p and the candy costs 3p, how much will you have left?”

What if I don’t have pocket money to practice with?

You can still practice with pretend money or use items at home. For example, if you have 3 toys and want to buy 1 more, use maths to think if it’s a good idea!