Saving Goals maths mission

Quick answer

By saving a small amount of pocket money each week, you can reach your goal of buying something special – and you'll practice adding money along the way!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to add up small amounts of money to reach a saving goal, and understand how saving helps you buy things you want.

• I can count up my pocket money to see how much I have saved.
• I can add two or more amounts of money to reach a target.
• I can plan how many weeks it will take to save enough money.
• I can use real-life examples to practice adding money.

Why this matters

Learning how to save money is one of the most important life skills you can learn. When you save your pocket money, you’re not just putting coins in a jar – you're practicing addition, planning, and working toward a goal. Whether it's for a toy, a book, or a treat, saving helps you understand how money works and gives you a sense of achievement when you reach your goal.

In school, you’ll use addition in many ways – from counting money to solving problems about shopping, time, and even sports. Saving money helps you build the confidence and skills you need to handle money in the future.

How it works

Let’s break down how to save money step by step:

1. Decide what you want to buy – This is your saving goal.
2. Find out how much it costs – This is your target amount.
3. Decide how much you can save each week – This is your weekly saving amount.
4. Add up your savings – Keep track of how much you have saved.
5. Check if you have enough – When you reach your goal, you can buy your item!

For example, if you want to buy a book that costs £5, and you save £1 each week, you will need to save for 5 weeks. Every week, you add your £1 to the total you have saved so far.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you want to buy a toy that costs £8. You save £2 each week. How much do you have after 4 weeks?

After 4 weeks, you have saved exactly what you need to buy the toy!

Another example: You want to buy a new pencil case that costs £6. You save £1.50 each week. How much do you have after 3 weeks?

• Week 1: £1.50
• Week 2: £1.50 + £1.50 = £3.00
• Week 3: £3.00 + £1.50 = £4.50

After 3 weeks, you have £4.50. You still need £1.50 more to buy the pencil case.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Pocket Money Challenge!

You are going on a treasure hunt to find a special toy. The toy costs £10. You get £2 pocket money each week. How many weeks will it take to find enough money?

1. Week 1: You save £2. Total = £2
2. Week 2: You save £2. Total = £4
3. Week 3: You save £2. Total = £6
4. Week 4: You save £2. Total = £8
5. Week 5: You save £2. Total = £10

Congratulations! You found the treasure after 5 weeks. You can now buy your toy!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that £1.50 + £1.50 = £3.00, but forgetting to add the pence correctly.
• Why it happens: Mixing up pounds and pence when adding money.
• Fix: Always write money with a decimal point and two digits after it (like £1.50). Count the pence first, then the pounds.
• Mistake: Forgetting to keep track of how much you’ve saved.
• Why it happens: Not writing down or counting carefully.
• Fix: Use a chart or list to write down how much you save each week. You can even draw a picture of your coins!
• Mistake: Thinking you need to save more than the item costs.
• Why it happens: Not understanding that saving is about reaching a goal, not spending extra.
• Fix: Count the cost of the item, then save exactly that amount or a little more for fun.

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child with saving money is a great way to make maths feel real and fun. Here’s how you can support them in 5–10 minutes:

• Ask your child: "What do you want to buy with your pocket money?" Let them choose a goal that’s exciting but realistic.
• Work together: Use a small notebook or chart to write down how much they save each week.
• Count together: Add up the money as they save it. You can use real coins or play money to make it more hands-on.
• Encourage planning: Ask, "How many weeks do you think it will take to save enough?" This helps with estimation.
• Be patient: Saving takes time, and it’s okay to make mistakes. The goal is to learn and enjoy the process!

Remember: Don’t pressure your child to save more than they can handle. The joy of saving is in the journey, not just the final result.

Practice questions

1. Emma wants to buy a book that costs £7. She saves £1 each week. How many weeks does she need to save?
2. Tom saves £2.50 each week. How much does he have after 3 weeks?
3. Lucy saves £1.20 each week. How much does she have after 4 weeks?
4. Ben wants to buy a game that costs £12. He saves £3 each week. How many weeks does he need?
5. Sophie saves £1.80 each week. How much does she have after 2 weeks?

Answers:

1. 7 weeks
2. £7.50
3. £4.80
4. 4 weeks
5. £3.60

FAQ

How much money should I save each week?

It depends on how much you get for pocket money and how quickly you want to save. If you get £2 a week and want to buy something that costs £10, you can save for 5 weeks.

What if I don’t save all my pocket money?

That’s okay! You can still save some, and it’s good to learn how to manage your money. You can even decide to save a little more next week.

Can I save more than I need?

Yes! Once you reach your goal, you can save a little extra for fun or to help with future goals.

How can I make saving fun?

You can use a piggy bank, draw a chart, or even use a special folder for your coins. You can also choose a fun item to save for, like a book or a toy.

Why is saving money important?

Learning to save helps you become responsible with money. It also teaches you to wait for something special and gives you the confidence to make choices about how to spend or save your money.