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When Spending Is More Than Income is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on what to do when spending is more than income, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.Eco.1.3-5. It prints 7 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 10 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

When Spending Is More Than Income

D2.Eco.1.3-5

NameDate

Circle the best answer, then write your plan.

1.What does it mean to postpone a purchase?
  • A.To buy it twice
  • B.To wait until you have saved enough to buy it
  • C.To borrow money for it right away
2.Why is paying for the gap with a credit card every month risky?
  • A.The debt grows, and interest is added to it
  • B.Credit cards make income larger
  • C.The credit card pays the bill for good
3.Which is a variable expense that changes from month to month?
  • A.A car loan payment
  • B.Groceries
  • C.Rent
4.A family spends more than it earns each month. What is this called?
  • A.A budget shortfall, or deficit
  • B.A surplus
  • C.A balanced budget
5.What should a family do first when its expenses are more than its income?
  • A.Spend more to feel better
  • B.List every expense to see where the money goes
  • C.Stop keeping records
6.Which is a fixed expense that stays the same each month?
  • A.Eating out
  • B.Groceries
  • C.Rent
7.Explain to a younger student what to do when they want something that costs more than they have saved.
  • I explained what saving and postponing mean.
  • I gave at least two steps to take.
  • I said why borrowing for a want is risky.

LessonPrint · D2.Eco.1.3-5 · Set 10 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — When Spending Is More Than Income

Set 10. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.To wait until you have saved enough to buy it
  2. 2.The debt grows, and interest is added to it
  3. 3.Groceries
  4. 4.A budget shortfall, or deficit
  5. 5.List every expense to see where the money goes
  6. 6.Rent
  7. 7.Advice to postpone the want and keep saving, with at least two steps, and why borrowing for a want costs more.

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.Eco.1.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.