Few goals bring a family together quite like preparing a son or daughter for full-time missionary service. It is a spiritual milestone, and it is also a financial one. With a little planning, saving for a mission can become a meaningful journey that teaches work, sacrifice, and faith long before the call arrives.
In this article I share a step-by-step plan for families and young people who want to prepare financially for a mission.
Why Preparing Early Matters
President Gordon B. Hinckley made a promise to young people about missionary service that I have always loved:
“I can promise you that you will grow as you have never grown in a similar period during your entire lives.”
President Gordon B. Hinckley, “To the Boys and to the Men,” October 1998 general conference
That growth can start years before the mission itself. When a young person earns and saves for their own mission, they arrive with a sense of ownership and sacrifice that deepens the whole experience.
Step 1: Understand the Costs
Mission costs generally fall into two groups:
1. The monthly contribution. Missionaries and their families contribute a set monthly amount toward the cost of serving. In many countries this amount is the same regardless of where the missionary is assigned. Because the amount can change and differs by country, check the current figure with your bishop or official Church resources rather than relying on any number you see online.
2. Pre-mission expenses. These are one-time costs before leaving, and they vary widely:
- Clothing and shoes appropriate for missionary dress standards
- Luggage
- Medical and dental exams, immunizations, and any needed dental work
- Passport or visa costs, if applicable
- A modest set of personal items and supplies
Families often find the pre-mission expenses surprise them more than the monthly contribution. Planning for both avoids a last-minute scramble.
Step 2: Set a Savings Goal
Here is a simple way to calculate a target:
- Monthly contribution x number of months of service. (Service length depends on the type of mission.)
- Add an estimate for pre-mission expenses. Talk to recently returned missionaries in your ward for realistic numbers.
- Add a small cushion for unexpected items like replacement shoes or a lost item.
Write the total down. Then divide it by the number of months until the expected mission age. That monthly number is your savings target.
For example, if a child is 10 years old, there are about 8 years, or 96 months, to save. Dividing the goal by 96 often produces a surprisingly manageable monthly amount.
Step 3: Start a Dedicated Mission Fund
Keep mission savings separate from everything else. Options include:
- A dedicated savings account in the young person’s name or a joint account
- A clearly labeled savings category in your family budget
- A physical mission jar for younger children, deposited regularly into the bank
Separate savings keep the fund protected and make progress visible. I track a “Mission Fund” envelope for each goal like this, and EnvelopeBudget.com is the tool I use, but any clear system works.
Step 4: Involve the Future Missionary
The most powerful part of mission savings is when the young person contributes. Ideas by age:
Ages 3 to 7
- A “mission jar” for coins from chores
- Simple lessons about why missionaries serve
- Celebrating when the jar is full and deposited
Ages 8 to 12
- A regular percentage of allowance or earnings goes to the mission fund
- Small entrepreneurial projects like lemonade stands or yard work
- Tracking progress on a chart
Ages 13 to 18
- Part-time jobs, with a set portion saved for the mission
- Learning to budget their own money each month
- Researching costs and helping plan purchases
A common family approach is to divide earnings into give, save for mission, other savings, and spend. Many families start with tithing first, then a significant share to the mission fund.
Step 5: Budget for Pre-Mission Purchases Gradually
Instead of buying everything in the last month, spread purchases out:
- One to two years before: Watch for clothing and shoe sales. Buy luggage on sale.
- Six to twelve months before: Schedule dental and medical checkups so any needed work can be completed and paid for in time.
- After the call: Purchase climate-specific items and anything specific to the assignment.
Buying gradually lets you take advantage of sales and keeps the family budget steady.
Step 6: Make It a Family and Ward Effort
Saving for a mission does not have to rest on one family alone.
- Grandparents and extended family often love to contribute on birthdays or holidays.
- Ward missionary funds exist to help missionaries who need assistance. Talk to your bishop if you have concerns. No worthy young person should feel they cannot serve because of money.
- Siblings can be inspired by watching an older brother or sister save, and may start their own funds.
Handling Common Challenges
“We started late.” That is okay. Calculate what is left, adjust the monthly goal, and focus on what you can do. Your bishop can help counsel with you.
“Our income is tight.” Start with any amount. Even small, consistent savings teach the same lessons. Look at the budget together during a family budget council to find small changes.
“My child is not sure about serving.” Saving can still be valuable. A fund can be used for education or other good goals if plans change, and the habit of saving is a blessing either way.
Beyond the Money
Financial preparation is only one part of mission preparation. Spiritual preparation, learning to work hard, learning to cook and do laundry, and developing healthy habits all matter just as much. When a young person learns to earn, save, and spend wisely, they are also learning self-reliance, a skill that blesses them for the rest of their lives.
A Simple Mission Savings Checklist
- Estimate the total cost with current figures from your bishop
- Calculate months until expected mission age
- Set a monthly savings target
- Open a separate account or budget category
- Involve the future missionary in earning and saving
- Plan pre-mission purchases over time
- Review progress at least every few months
Closing Thoughts
Saving for a mission is one of the most meaningful financial goals a family can set. It blends practical skills with spiritual purpose and gives young people a chance to sacrifice for something they believe in. Start today with a jar, an account, or a budget line. Small, steady steps now can mean a confident, prepared missionary later.
For help building the rest of your family plan, see my guide to a simple family budget.
