Imagine opening your banking app one day to find your balance at zero because of one bad decision. Scary, right? Money, time, and planning can quietly shape the rest of your life, for better or worse. In earning the Eagle-required Personal Management merit badge, you learn how to take control of those areas so your future is built on smart choices, instead of guesswork!
To earn Personal Management, you’ll build on basic math and planning skills to manage real parts of your life. You’ll create a 13-week budget, track every dollar, talk through major family purchases, compare different types of investments, and map out your weekly schedule. You’ll also explore careers and what it actually costs to reach your goals.
In this article, I’ll explain why Personal Management matters, then walk through every requirement with clear difficulty ratings. You’ll see practical tips for tracking money and time, advice for the trickiest parts, and links to resources that make the badge more manageable. Ready to start taking charge of your money, schedule, and future? 🙂
Why The Personal Management Badge Is Important
Beyond its obvious emphasis on financial responsibility, the Personal Management badge is all about intentional living. You learn to give every dollar, hour, and goal a job, instead of letting life just happen to you.
As you work through this badge, you learn how to set realistic goals, balance wants and needs, and think long-term about school, work, and major life decisions. That growth helps you become the person others trust with responsibility, whether it is planning a trip, helping your family budget, guiding your patrol, or preparing for college and a career. These skills stick with you long after you age out of Scouts.
Personal Management Merit Badge Overview (Eagle-Required)
| Merit Badge Name: | Personal Management |
| Creation Date: | 1972, introduced to focus Scouts on money, time, and life planning skills |
| Badge Difficulty: | 9 – Challenging (long tracking periods, detailed discussions, and heavy planning work) |
| Top 3 Skills Covered: |
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| Fun Fact: | When Personal Management was created, it replaced the older Business merit badge called Personal Finances to give Scouts a broader focus for managing their life. |
| Ideal Ages To Earn: | 15–17 |
| Merit Badge Workbook: | Personal Management Merit Badge Workbook Link |
| Merit Badge Pamphlet: | Personal Management Merit Badge Pamphlet Amazon Link |
What Are The Personal Management Merit Badge Requirements?
For Personal Management, your biggest gatekeeper requirement is 2c, since it requires a 13‑week money log. I suggest you start by planning and writing your budget (2a & 2b), then begin tracking (2c) right away, even before you meet with your counselor. Next, batch your “discussion” requirements (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8d, 9, 10) into 1 or 2 longer meetings with your counselor instead of many short ones. Finally, save the written project plan (9) and the career discussion (10) for when you have a calm hour to think, since those require the most planning and reflection.
| Req # | Requirement Summary | Requirement Group | Difficulty | ScoutSmarts Notes & Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1. Do the following: (a) Choose an item that your family might want to purchase that is considered a major expense. (b) Write a plan that tells how your family would save money for the purchase identified in requirement 1(a). (1) Discuss the plan with your counselor. (2) Discuss the plan with your family. (3) Discuss how other family needs must be considered in this plan. (c) Develop a written shopping strategy for the purchase identified in requirement 1(a). (1) Determine the quality of the item or service (using consumer publications or rating systems.) (2) Comparison shop for the item. Find out where you can buy the item for the best price. (Provide prices from at least two different price sources.) Call around; study ads. Look for a sale or discount coupon. Consider alternatives. Can you buy the item used? Should you wait for a sale? |
Family Purchase & Planning | Moderate | Pick a real item your family actually talks about, like a car, appliance, or vacation. Do your research online first, list prices from at least two places, then sit down with your family for one focused meeting. Bring your written plan and shopping strategy to that family talk, then right after, review the same plan with your counselor so the conversation is still fresh. |
| 2 | 2. Do the following: (a) Prepare a budget reflecting your expected income (allowance, gifts, wages), expenses, and savings for a period of 13 consecutive weeks. (b) Compare expected income with expected expenses. (1) If expenses exceed budget income, determine steps to balance your budget. (2) If income exceeds budget expenses, state how you would use the excess money (new goal, savings). (c) Track and record your actual income, expenses, and savings for 13 consecutive weeks (the same 13-week period for which you budgeted). (You may use the forms provided in the Personal Management merit badge pamphlet, devise your own, or use a computer-generated version). When complete, present the records showing the results to your counselor. (d) Compare your budget with your actual income and expenses to understand when your budget worked and when it did not work. With your counselor, discuss what you might do differently the next time. |
13-Week Money Management Log | Hard (Long-Term) | This is the gatekeeper requirement. Before you start week one, design a simple tracking system you can actually keep up with, like a note on your phone or a small notebook you carry. Set a daily alarm to log money for 2 minutes. Do 2a and 2b on day one, start tracking for 13 weeks, and only after the period ends schedule your wrap-up discussion with your counselor to compare budget vs actual. |
| 3 | 3. Discuss with your counselor FIVE of the following concepts: (a) The emotions you feel when you receive money. (b) Your understanding of how the amount of money you have with you affects your spending habits. (c) Your thoughts when you buy something new and your thoughts about the same item three months later. Explain the concept of buyer’s remorse. (d) How hunger affects you when shopping for food items (snacks, groceries). (e) Your experience of an item you have purchased after seeing or hearing advertisements for it. Did the item work as well as advertised? (f) Your understanding of what happens when you put money into a savings account. (g) Charitable giving. Explain its purpose and your thoughts about it. (h) What you can do to better manage your money. |
Money Habits & Emotions | Easy | Before meeting your counselor, choose your five letters and write 2 to 3 sentences on each about your own life. Think of specific purchases, ads, or times you regretted spending. Bringing short notes keeps the discussion focused and shows you thought about your money habits, which counselors appreciate. |
| 4 | 4. Explain the following to your counselor: (a) The differences between saving and investing, including reasons for using one over the other. (b) The concepts of return on investment and risk and how they are related. (c) The concepts of simple interest and compound interest. (d) The concept of diversification in investing. (e) Why it is important to save and invest for retirement. |
Saving, Investing & Interest | Moderate | Create a one-page “cheat sheet” with short definitions and one example for each part: saving vs investing, ROI and risk, simple vs compound interest, diversification, and retirement savings. Study it beforehand, then use it while explaining to your counselor so you can stay clear and organized. |
| 5 | 5. Explain to your counselor what the following investments are and how each works: (a) Common stocks (b) Mutual funds (c) Life insurance (d) A certificate of deposit (CD) (e) A savings account (f) A U.S. savings bond. |
Financial Products | Moderate | Make a small comparison chart with columns for “What it is,” “How it works,” and “Main use” for each item. Think of one simple real-world example for each, like a parent’s 401(k) mutual fund or a bank CD, and be ready to describe it in your own words during your counselor meeting. |
| 6 | 6 Explain to your counselor why people might purchase the following types of insurance and how they work: (a) Automobile (b) Health (c) Homeowner’s/renter’s (d) Whole life and term life. |
Insurance Basics | Easy | Ask your parent or guardian what types of insurance your family has and why. Use their examples to help you explain each type to your counselor. Focus on what risk each insurance covers and what problem it protects a person or family from. |
| 7 | 7. Explain to your counselor the following: (a) What a loan is, what interest is, and how the annual percentage rate (APR) measures the true cost of a loan. (b) The different ways to borrow money (c) The differences between a charge card, debit card, and credit card. What are the costs and pitfalls of using these financial tools? Explain why it is unwise to make only the minimum payment on your credit card. (d) Credit reports and how personal responsibility can affect your credit report. (e) Ways to reduce or eliminate debt. |
Borrowing & Credit | Moderate | Look at a real credit card statement or loan example with an adult so you can see interest and APR in action. For your counselor, be ready to give one or two concrete ways to avoid problem debt, like paying cards in full, tracking balances, and using a simple plan to pay extra on the highest-rate debt first. |
| 8 | 8. Demonstrate to your counselor your understanding of time management by doing the following: (a) Write a “to do” list of tasks or activities, such as homework assignments, chores, and personal projects, that must be done in the coming week. List these in order of importance to you. (b) Make a seven-day calendar or schedule. Put in your set activities, such as school classes, sports practices or games, jobs or chores, and/or Scout or place of worship or club meetings, then plan when you will do all the tasks from your “to do” list between your set activities. (c) Follow the one-week schedule you planned. Keep a daily diary or journal during each of the seven days of this week’s activities, writing down when you completed each of the tasks on your “to do” list compared to when you scheduled them. (d) With your counselor, review your “to do” list, one-week schedule, and diary/journal to understand when your schedule worked and when it did not work. Discuss what you might do differently the next time. |
Time Management Week | Moderate (Short-Term) | Pick a week that is busy but not crazy, like a normal school week. Fill your calendar with fixed items first, then add your to-do list. Each night spend 3 minutes updating your journal about what you finished and what slipped. After the week, bring all three items to your counselor to review together. |
| 9 | 9. Prepare a written project plan demonstrating the steps below, including the desired outcome. This is a project on paper, not a real-life project. Examples could include planning a camping trip, developing a community service project or a school or religious event, or creating an annual patrol plan with additional activities not already included in the troop annual plan. Discuss your completed project plan with your counselor. (a) Define the project. What is your goal? (b) Develop a timeline for your project that shows the steps you must take from beginning to completion. (c) Describe your project. (d) Develop a list of resources. Identify how these resources will help you achieve your goal. (e) Develop a budget for your project. |
Written Project Plan | Moderate | Choose a project you understand well, like a troop campout or school event. Outline goal, steps, timeline, people, gear, and costs before writing it in full. A simple table for the timeline and budget makes it easier to explain to your counselor and keeps your plan organized. |
| 10 | 10. Do the following: (a) Choose a career you might want to enter after high school or college graduation. Discuss with your counselor the needed qualifications, education, skills, and experience. (b) Explain to your counselor what the associated costs might be to pursue this career, such as tuition, school or training supplies, and room and board. Explain how you could prepare for these costs and how you might make up for any shortfall. |
Career & Future Costs | Moderate | Pick a career you are honestly curious about and look up one real training path for it, including typical school length and tuition. Bring estimated costs and at least two ways you might pay for them, such as scholarships, part-time work, or savings, so you can have a thoughtful conversation with your counselor. |
Also, make sure to check out the full Personal Management badge page and requirements from Scouting America.
Why Scouting America Includes The Personal Management Badge
The Personal Management merit badge trains you to think ahead, instead of just reacting. You learn to plan money, time, and projects so you’re not stressed at the last second. That habit of planning before acting is one of the biggest things that separates leaders from people who always feel behind.
When you build a 13-week budget, track your spending, and schedule your week, you start to notice patterns in your choices. You see where you waste time or cash and where you are strong. This kind of honest self-reflection builds character because you are taking responsibility instead of blaming “bad luck.”
Personal Management is also about being a prepared citizen. Future voters, parents, and community leaders will deal with loans, insurance, retirement, and big financial decisions. Understanding money and time now protects you from mistakes later and helps you become the kind of adult who can support a family, serve others, and stay calm under pressure.
Who The Personal Management Badge Is Great For
Personal Management is best for Scouts around Star or Life rank, usually ages 15 or older. There is a serious time commitment with the 13-week budget and scheduling pieces. If you can keep track of homework, sports, and your Scouting requirements, you should be ready to handle this badge.
This badge lines up well with careers in business, accounting, investing, law, entrepreneurship, engineering, and project management. It also fits hobbies like reselling gear, collecting, or running small side hustles. If you like the idea of being financially independent someday, Personal Management gives you a strong starting playbook.
When I earned Personal Management, building my first real budget and weekly schedule was eye opening. I saw where I was wasting hours and cash, and where small changes made a huge difference. That was the moment I realized I could actually take control of my future by making a plan ahead of time.
– Cole K
Insider Tips to Finish Personal Management Faster
Personal Management has some long, slow requirements, but if you plan ahead, you’ll save yourself a ton of stress. Think of it like a long backpacking trip: if you prepare and pace yourself, it is tough but very doable.
- Start the 13-week requirements on day one. Requirements 2 and 8 both need 13 consecutive weeks (budgeting) and at least a full week (time management). These are your “gatekeeper” prerequisites. You cannot rush them at the end, so set them up as soon as your counselor signs your blue card.
- Batch your money work once a week. Pick one time each week, like Sunday afternoon, to update your budget and spending log. Keep receipts in a labeled envelope or track everything in a simple spreadsheet or notes app. Batching reduces procrastination and mistakes.
- Use one notebook or digital file for everything. Put your budget, time log, project plan, and requirement notes in one place. When it is time to meet with your counselor, you will not be hunting through random papers or apps.
- Combine requirements when you can. For example, your project plan in requirement 9 can be related to a troop event, school activity, or service project you are already thinking about. You are not doing the project for real, but planning it on paper may help you with other badges or leadership roles.
- Use your actual life for the time management requirement. Requirement 8 works best if you build a schedule around your real school, sports, and chores. Do not fake it. If something does not go as planned, that is perfect material to discuss with your counselor.
- Study the “vocabulary” first. Before talking about investing, loans, or insurance, read the relevant sections of the merit badge pamphlet or a trusted website. Knowing the basic terms (APR, compound interest, diversification) keeps your discussions smoother and shorter.
- Check off discussion-heavy requirements in 1 or 2 long meetings. Requirements 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are mostly conversations. Once your 13-week parts are finished or underway, ask your counselor if you can schedule a longer session to go through several of these back-to-back.
The Most Important Skills You’ll Learn
Personal Management teaches you how to handle money, time, and decisions like a responsible adult. These skills carry into school, work, relationships, and any big life choice.
As you work through this badge, keep an eye on how each requirement connects to your real life. This is training for your future self, so stay focused and put in the work!
- Budgeting and Cash Flow Awareness: You learn how to track what comes in and what goes out. In life, this keeps you from living paycheck to paycheck and helps you save for things that actually matter.
- Long-Term Planning: The 13-week budget and future career planning teach you to think months and years ahead. That skill helps with college choices, big purchases, and life goals.
- Smart Spending Decisions: Comparing prices, resisting impulse buys, and understanding advertising make you harder to trick. This protects you from scams, bad deals, and regret purchases.
- Investing and Risk Understanding: Learning about stocks, mutual funds, diversification, and interest helps you see how money can grow over time. In the real world, this can mean retiring earlier, having options, and being less stressed about money.
- Debt and Credit Management: Understanding loans, credit cards, APR, and credit reports helps you avoid crushing debt. This affects your ability to buy a car, rent an apartment, or even get certain jobs.
- Time Management and Prioritization: Planning your week, tracking how you spend time, and adjusting your schedule is huge for school, sports, and work. It keeps you from cramming and missing deadlines.
- Project Planning: Requirement 9 teaches you to define a goal, create a timeline, budget, and resource list. That is exactly how leaders plan events, trips, and even businesses.
- Self-Discipline and Follow-Through: Sticking with 13-week logs and schedules builds consistency. That habit is one of the biggest predictors of success in any field.
If you keep these skills in mind while earning the badge, you will get a lot more than a patch. You are building a personal system for how to handle money and time. Now, we’re ready to go over common FAQs so you are prepared for any questions that may come up as you complete this badge!
Personal Management Merit Badge FAQs
Is Personal Management an Eagle-required merit badge?
Yes. Personal Management is one of the Eagle-required badges. That means every Eagle Scout you meet who reached their rank before 1972 has completed this one. The skills you learn here will affect your whole life, so it’s worth taking seriously and not rushing.
What is the hardest part of the Personal Management merit badge?
Most Scouts say the hardest part is staying consistent with the 13-week budget and records in requirement 2. It is not that the work is complicated. The challenge is remembering to log everything and being honest about your spending. Setting weekly reminders and using simple tools helps a lot.
How long does it usually take to finish Personal Management?
The minimum time is 13 consecutive weeks because of the budgeting requirement. Realistically, with scheduling meetings and doing the project plan, most Scouts take around 3 to 5 months. If you start the long-term pieces right away and keep up with them weekly, you can finish in a straightforward, low-stress way.
Can I use a computer or phone app for my budget and records?
Yes, as long as your counselor agrees. Many Scouts use spreadsheets, budgeting apps, or simple notes. The key is that your records are clear, organized, and cover the full 13 weeks. Ask your counselor early, “Are you OK with a digital budget and logs?” and follow their preference.
How can I prepare for the discussions about emotions, spending, and advertising?
For requirement 3, think of real situations. Times you bought something you regretted, got excited about money, or were hungry while shopping. Your counselor does not expect perfect answers. They want honest reflection. Jot down a few short stories or examples before the meeting so you feel ready to talk.
When is the best time in my Scouting journey to take Personal Management?
Most Scouts do Personal Management between Star and early Life rank, often around age 14 to 16. By then you usually have some income, more control over your schedule, and a better idea of possible careers. Taking it too early can be overwhelming, but waiting too long may crunch you near your Eagle deadline.
Resources For Earning Your Personal Management Badge
Helpful Personal Management Resources
These links will support your work on the Personal Management merit badge.
Set a weekly reminder to update your 13-week budget and records so you never fall behind on the longest requirement.
Best of luck, Scout! If you stick with the 13-week parts, ask good questions, and stay honest with yourself, you will come out of Personal Management with real confidence in handling your time and money.
If you want extra detail, you can pick up the official Personal Management Merit Badge Pamphlet on Amazon. Then, use the full ScoutSmarts Personal Management Merit Badge Guide alongside it. Put in the work, stay consistent, and you’ll build skills that pay off for the rest of your life. 😀