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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 3 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.Why is paying for the gap with a credit card every month risky?
  • A.Credit cards make income larger
  • B.The credit card pays the bill for good
  • C.The debt grows, and interest is added to it
2.Which is a fixed expense that stays the same each month?
  • A.Eating out
  • B.Groceries
  • C.Rent
3.Which is a variable expense that changes from month to month?
  • A.Groceries
  • B.Rent
  • C.A car loan payment
4.Why is skipping a rent payment a poor way to fix a shortfall?
  • A.Landlords never notice
  • B.Rent is a want that nobody needs
  • C.Housing is a need, and missed payments bring fees and can cost the family its home
5.Which change cuts spending on a want?
  • A.Eating at restaurants less often
  • B.Buying a bigger TV
  • C.Not paying the rent
6.What does it mean to postpone a purchase?
  • A.To wait until you have saved enough to buy it
  • B.To buy it twice
  • C.To borrow money for it right away
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 3 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — When Spending Is More Than Income

Set 3. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.The debt grows, and interest is added to it
  2. 2.Rent
  3. 3.Groceries
  4. 4.Housing is a need, and missed payments bring fees and can cost the family its home
  5. 5.Eating at restaurants less often
  6. 6.To wait until you have saved enough to buy it
  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.