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Year 9

What is the best way to look after money?

I can explain what financial responsibility is, the different types of bank accounts and ways to bank ethically.

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New
New
Year 9

What is the best way to look after money?

I can explain what financial responsibility is, the different types of bank accounts and ways to bank ethically.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Financial responsibility involves making informed decisions about budgeting, saving and avoiding debt.
  2. Various bank accounts serve different purposes, like current for spending and savings accounts for storing money.
  3. Ethical banking focuses on supporting banks that invest in responsbile social and environmental causes.
  4. Learning about responsible money management prepares individuals for future financial stability.

Keywords

  • Financial responsibility - managing money wisely by budgeting, saving and avoiding unnecessary debt

  • Bank account - a secure place to store, manage and access money, allowing deposits, withdrawals, transfers and payments

  • Ethical - doing what is morally right, fair and good for people, society and the environment

Common misconception

Banks and ethics don't mix. You cannot bank ethically.

There are ways to ethically bank in the UK that use the money you invest in responsible ways, such as funding community projects, supporting sustainable businesses, or avoiding investments in harmful industries like fossil fuels or weapons.


To help you plan your year 9 citizenship lesson on: What is the best way to look after money?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

It would be useful to research the ethical banks in your local area so you can give precise examples of accounts they offer, especially for young people.
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Adult supervision recommended

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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is not a way people commonly pay for things?
debit card
bank transfer
cheque
Correct answer: library card
Q2.
What does the term 'income' mean?
Correct answer: the money a person earns or receives
the amount a person spends each month
the total cost of goods in a shop
a type of bank account
Q3.
What is the main purpose of a budget?
Correct answer: to track and control spending
to increase income
to avoid using bank accounts
to pay off debt immediately
Q4.
Which of the following is an example of an essential expense?
subscription to a streaming service
Correct answer: monthly rent or mortgage payment
a holiday abroad
buying designer clothes
Q5.
An occurs when a person withdraws or spends more money from their bank account than they have available, resulting in a negative balance.
Correct Answer: overdraft
Q6.
Match the financial term to its correct definition:
Correct Answer:interest,extra money paid on a loan or earned on savings
tick

extra money paid on a loan or earned on savings

Correct Answer:savings,money set aside for future use
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money set aside for future use

Correct Answer:loan,borrowed money that must be repaid (with interest)
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borrowed money that must be repaid (with interest)

6 Questions

Q1.
Which choices does financial responsibility involve?
spending all your money
Correct answer: avoiding debt
Correct answer: making informed decisions about budgeting and saving
ignoring your bank statements
Q2.
Various bank accounts serve different purposes, like current accounts for spending and accounts for storing money.
Correct Answer: savings, saving
Q3.
Match the words to the correct definitions.
Correct Answer:bank account,a secure place to store, manage and access money
tick

a secure place to store, manage and access money

Correct Answer:ethical,doing what is morally right, fair and good
tick

doing what is morally right, fair and good

Correct Answer:economy,how a country makes, handles, buys and sells goods and services
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how a country makes, handles, buys and sells goods and services

Q4.
What is the focus of ethical banking?
maximising profits at all costs
Correct answer: supporting banks that invest in responsible causes
using your money in a responsible way
Q5.
Learning about responsible money management prepares individuals for future stability.
Correct Answer: financial
Q6.
Why is it important to avoid unnecessary debt?
to have more money for our wants
to spend more money on interest
Correct answer: to maintain financial stability and security