2nd Period: Getting Money – Napkin Finance

2nd Period: Getting Money

When you think about ways to get money, probably the first thing that comes to mind is working.

You might already be working your first (or second) job. Many people start out by babysitting or mowing lawns, becoming a lifeguard at the local pool, working at a local store, or helping out in other ways in your community.

In addition to working, you may already receive some money from:

  • Allowances
  • Gifts

Upping your game

As you get older and become financially independent, you’ll have more opportunities to take on different (and probably higher-paying) jobs.

Exactly how much higher paying may depend on what career field you decide to go into and what level of education you pursue—whether going to trade school, earning an undergraduate degree, or going for an advanced or specialized degree (like what doctors, lawyers, or college professors need).

Whatever route you choose, completing some kind of postsecondary education can open more doors for you and boost what you earn over the rest of your life.

Helping it grow


But working (or cashing checks from the bank of mom and dad) isn’t the only way to get money.

It’s also possible to earn money without lifting a finger: through the magic of investing. Here’s a quick rundown of what that can look like:

What What it looks like
Earn interest
  • Money you keep in a savings account or a certificate of deposit will grow as it earns interest
  • Although you’ll typically only earn small amounts this way, it can add up over time through the magic of compounding
Buy bonds
  • Bonds are like IOUs, but the borrower might be a giant corporation or the U.S. government
  • They pay interest, like a bank account, but usually they pay more (and with more risk involved) than what you’d find at a bank
Invest in stocks
  • Buying stock in a company means you then own a small portion of that company (watch out, Mark Zuckerberg!)
  • Some stocks pay dividends to their investors—which is similar to earning interest (though again, riskier)
  • Stock prices also usually go up over the very long term, so if you buy a stock today, you may be able to sell it for more in a few years
Invest in real estate
  • People who have plenty of spare cash can buy extra real estate (like houses or office buildings) and then rent those locations out to tenants
  • (That said, you need a pretty large starting sum of spare cash in order to go this route)

To make money investing, you have to have at least some money to invest. But it can be a powerful way of turning a small stash into major cash. Billionaire Warren Buffett made his first stock investment when he was just 11.

“Guess you lose some and win some, long as the outcome is income.“


Talk it through

  1. What are some of the ways your friends or family members earn money?
  2. Do you know anyone who invests, and, if so, what do they invest in?


The simple information you need
to clean up your not-so-simple finances.