All 21 terms from the back of Clarence Gets a Bargain — the children’s money book for ages 6–10 by Jonathan Bach.
These aren’t vocabulary-list definitions. Every term below shows up in the story first — in a kitchen, a car, or Aisle Five at Sea-Mart — and the glossary at the back of the book makes it official. Page numbers point to where each word earns its keep in the plot. Reproduced here exactly as printed.
A notice that money is owed for something already used — electricity, hot water, internet, even TV streaming. Somebody has to pay for all of it. Every. Single. Month.
A plan for how to use your money before it’s gone. A good budget makes room for needs, wants, savings, and giving. Without one, you might end up with cold baths and no Wi-Fi. (Clarence was not taking any chances.)
Money earned for doing work — chores, a job, you name it. It has your name on it because you did something to earn it. Once you know what things actually cost, you appreciate every dollar a whole lot more.
A loan a homeowner takes out to buy their home, paid back every month for many years. It’s usually the biggest bill in the house — the one that keeps the roof over your head, the yard under your feet, and your bedroom exactly where you left it. Without it, there’s no house for the lights, the fridge, or the Xbox to live in.
Giving to help people who need it — money, food, toys, time. A good family looks out for others and makes it part of the plan before the fun stuff. Some families even pick their charities together. Clarence’s family does.
When a store lowers its regular prices for a period of time. Items cost less than usual, which means your money goes further. Doing your homework before you shop — like a certain Wyze kid we know — makes all the difference.
An extra charge added at checkout by the government. It goes to the state — not the store — and shows up whether you buy one thing or a hundred. The price on the sticker is never quite the price you pay. Keep that in mind.
Checking prices in more than one place before buying so you know you’re getting the best deal. It might feel like homework — because it is. But it’s the kind of homework that puts money back in your pocket. Ask Clarence. He’ll tell you.
A special savings account set up to help pay for education down the road. Parents sometimes start one before their kid even knows what college is. Clarence rolled his eyes about. The 529 did not care. It just kept stacking.
School after high school, where students go to study something they’re passionate about and prepare for a career. It costs real money, which is exactly why the 529 exists — and exactly why Mom pointed her finger at Clarence when she brought it up.
The fee a school or college charges for classes. One of the biggest bills a family will ever face, which is why starting early matters. This is not a drill. The 529 is not a joke.
Special offers — a cutout from a sale ad, a code on your phone, even a text — that knock money off a purchase. Stores hand them out because they’d rather sell cheap than not sell at all. Clarence had one folded up and shoved in his pocket the whole time. He almost forgot it. Almost.
A deep-discount sale where stores slash prices on items they need to move out fast to make room for newer models. Nothing wrong with the stuff — it just needs a good home. Look closer next time, buddy.
When a store lowers an item’s original price to move it before something newer comes along. Same product, better price, zero difference in what you’re getting. Clarence figured this out staring at two robots on a shelf. Smart kid.
Money you choose not to spend right now so it’s there for something important later — something you really want, something unexpected, or your future. The trick is making it a habit. Future you will be very glad current you did.
Anyone who buys or uses a product or service. The moment you hand over money — or your parents do — someone in that transaction is the consumer. Clarence walked into Sea-Mart as a kid on a mission. He walked out as a smart one.
Needs are the essentials — food, shelter, clothing, heat, and the internet (debatable, but probably yes). Wants are the extras that make life fun. Both matter. Knowing which is which before you spend is one of the most important money skills there is. Sometimes the smartest buy is one that’s fun AND useful. Clarence figured that out all by himself.
The printed or digital record of a purchase — your proof it happened, and your best friend if something goes wrong. Lose it and you lose your leverage. Clarence’s mom photographed his the second she sat down in the car. Every time. Not a bad habit.
The massive sale event the day after Thanksgiving. Stores go all out and so do shoppers. It can be a gold mine — if you do your homework first. Mom mentioned it on her way out the door. She was smiling.
Black Friday’s online cousin — happens the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend. Same deals, no crowds, no parking. You don’t even have to leave the couch. Mom’s already got tabs open.
Amazon’s own big sale event, usually in the middle of the year. Online only, deals move fast, and you’d better know what you want before it starts. Mom dropped this one last. Right before she did an about-face and walked out of the room.
Kids don’t remember definitions. They remember the robot, the coupon in the pocket, and the orange stickers on the bottom shelf. That’s the whole trick of Clarence Gets a Bargain — 36 pages of story, Wants vs. Needs and 16+ concepts along for the ride.
Put the words to work: ring up a robot on the Sea-Mart register, take the Smart Shopper Quiz, or grab the free educator toolkit. Teaching this at home instead? Start with the age-by-age guide.