Lesson 2: Get Set for Goals

What Is a Goal?

A goal is something you want to do.
You plan for it.
Then you work to reach it.

Two Kinds of Goals

Some goals are short-term.
A short-term goal happens soon.
It might happen today.
It might happen this week.
Or next month.
One example: getting a good grade on a test.

Some goals are long-term.
A long-term goal takes more time.
It might happen in one year.
Or five years.
Or when you grow up.
One example: learning to play the violin.
Another example: going to college.

Why Set Goals?

Goals help you focus.
They help you get things you want.

Savings Goals

A savings goal is money you save.
You save it to buy something special.

What Is Advertising?

An ad tries to get you to buy something.
A company pays for the ad.
They want to make money.

Ads can change your choices.
An ad might make you want to spend money.
It might make you spend more than you planned.

Words to Know

Ad (Advertisement): A message a company pays for. It helps sell a product.

Long-Term Goal: Something you want in the future. Like in one year or ten years.

Savings Goal: Money you save for something special.

Short-Term Goal: Something you want soon. Like in a few weeks or months.

Books to Read

It's a Habit, Sammy Rabbit! by Sam X Renick
Sammy learns a secret about saving.
It helps his whole family.

Danny Dollar Millionaire Extraordinaire—The Lemonade Escapade by Ty Allan Jackson
Danny is eleven years old.
He wants to become a millionaire.
You learn about money too.

Lulu Walks the Dogs by Judith Viorst
Lulu works to earn money.
She has a big long-term goal.

Games to Play

FTC Admongo
Play this game.
Learn about ads.
game.admongo.gov

PBS Don't Buy It
Take fun quizzes.
Learn ad tricks.
pbskids.org/dontbuyit

Questions to Ask Your Child

• What are your short-term goals?
• How will you reach them?
• What is one long-term goal?
• How can you work toward it?
• What ads did you see today?
• Which one do you remember most?
• How did that ad try to get people to buy?

Try This at Home

Make a Goals Chart
Share your short-term goals.
Share your long-term goals.
Tell how you will reach them.
Ask your child to share too.
Write the goals on a chart.
Track your progress together.

Talk About Commercials
Watch TV together.
Talk about the commercials you see.
What is each one trying to sell?
How does it try to get people to buy?
Who is the ad for?
You can also talk about ads on the radio.
Or ads on the internet.

Try This at the Doctor's Office

Look at Magazine Ads
Look at ads while you wait.
Talk about what each ad sells.
Talk about how it tries to get people to buy.

Try This at the Bank

Open an Account
Open a savings account for your child.
Add money when it is earned.
Add money when it is a gift.
Save up for a long-term goal.