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Money Monday
By Imagine Scholarships
Sherri Ross
June 02, 2025
💰 Money Monday: Financial Literacy Series – Week 2
Topic: Wants vs. Needs — And the Gift of Delayed Gratification
🧠 Words of Wisdom:
“Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like.” – Will Rogers
🎓 For High School + College Students:
Let’s be honest: it’s tempting to grab that new hoodie, those shoes, or another drive-thru snack. But here’s the truth — every dollar you spend today on something you want is a dollar you can’t use to build the life you really want.
The secret weapon? Delayed gratification. It’s not about saying no forever — it’s about saying not yet so your future self can say yes to something better.
👉 Challenge: Track your spending for 3 days. Highlight every want in one color and every need in another. Then circle the wants that could wait. What would saving that money let you do instead?
👨👩👧 For Parents:
This week, talk about the difference between a need, a want, and a wait. Help your kids understand that saving for something meaningful teaches discipline — and that waiting is a gift, not a punishment.
Try this: Ask, “What’s one thing you really want right now — and how could you save for it over the next month?”
It’s not just about money. It’s about learning to think long-term — a lesson that pays off in every part of life.
🍎 For Educators:
In class, try this quick group activity:
List five common student purchases on the board (e.g., Starbucks, new shoes, concert tickets). Have students place them in columns: Need, Want, or Worth the Wait.
Then introduce the phrase:
“If you can wait, you can grow.”
Use it to spark a conversation about patience, priorities, and power — especially when it comes to money.
💡 Tip of the Week:
Before every purchase, pause and ask:
“Is this a need, a want, or could it be a wait?”
Choosing to wait is a power move. It means you’re in charge of your future — not your impulses.
📽️ Video of the Week:
The Gift of Delayed Gratification — Learn to pause, wait, and build smarter spending habits.
🎉 Fun Fact of the Week:
Psychology studies show that people who learn delayed gratification early (like the kids in the famous Marshmallow Test) are more likely to succeed in school, relationships, and careers.
🎯 Scholarship of the Week:
Cyberbullying is often tied to mental health issues, anxiety, and depression. We want to encourage students to be aware of the impact that cyberbullying can have and to watch for the signs of it.
To apply, you must be a high school student (9th-12th grader), college student or graduate student attending or planning to enter an accredited U.S. college or university.
Selection is based on the written statement and focused on creativity, content and commitment to the cause of deleting cyberbullying.
Deadline: June 30, 2025
Amount: $1,000
➡️ Apply here or on Imagine Scholarships. Imagine offers scholarships for all ages and a variety of students. The keyword search makes it easier to find awards that fit you.
✅ Keep Going:
Here’s the truth: Delayed gratification isn’t about depriving yourself — it’s about building something better.
You’re not just saving money. You’re saving options, freedom, and opportunity.
Every smart choice today is an investment in the person you’re becoming. And that’s a future worth waiting for.
Feel free to forward this email to share with a student, parent, or educator who could benefit.
See you next week!
Sherri and the Imagine Scholarships Team 💰✨
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