Planned or Unplanned Spending? is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on the costs and benefits of planned and unplanned spending, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.Eco.1.3-5. It prints 6 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 12 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.
Planned or Unplanned Spending?
D2.Eco.1.3-5
NameDate
Sort the spending, then circle the best answers.
1.Sort each one: Planned or Unplanned?
Sort: Saving for six weeks to buy a soccer ball, Comparing prices before buying a bike helmet, Buying a toy the same day you saw it in an ad, Buying a second slushie at the game without thinking
PlannedUnplanned
2.Sort each one: Planned or Unplanned?
Sort: Buying candy in line at the checkout because it looked good, Buying a game because a friend just got it, Deciding to spend $10 at the fair before you go, Writing a grocery list and sticking to it
PlannedUnplanned
3.What is one benefit of planned spending?
A.You never need to save again
B.Prices always go down
C.You are more likely to have money for what matters most
4.What can be a benefit of an unplanned purchase?
A.It always saves money
B.It never costs anything
C.You get something you need right away, like an umbrella in a storm
5.Ben planned to spend $6 at the fair but spent $9. How much more did he spend than he planned?
A.$6
B.$9 − $6 = $3
C.$15
6.A bike tire pops and must be fixed today. What kind of spending is this?
A.A gift
B.Planned months ago
C.Unplanned, but needed
LessonPrint · D2.Eco.1.3-5 · Set 12 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Planned or Unplanned Spending?
Set 12. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Buying a second slushie at the game without thinking — Unplanned 2. Buying a toy the same day you saw it in an ad — Unplanned 3. Comparing prices before buying a bike helmet — Planned 4. Saving for six weeks to buy a soccer ball — Planned
2.1. Buying a game because a friend just got it — Unplanned 2. Buying candy in line at the checkout because it looked good — Unplanned 3. Deciding to spend $10 at the fair before you go — Planned 4. Writing a grocery list and sticking to it — Planned
3.You are more likely to have money for what matters most
4.You get something you need right away, like an umbrella in a storm
5.$9 − $6 = $3
6.Unplanned, but needed
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.Eco.1.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.