Tis the holiday season and my kids are already getting gifts of cash. We’ve always let the kids spend their money on whatever they’ve wanted – mostly because our youngest never spent his money on anything and our oldest spent it on food. But when they suddenly want to drop $50+ on a video game, I cringe. What do you think?
What you do when your kid gets a hefty sum of cash from a relative for the holidays and wants to blow it all on something that you consider wasteful, ridiculous or silly like a video game or beauty products or some gadget. Do you:
a) Tell your kids what they can buy with the cash? If so, what would you deem appropriate?
b) Make them save part of it?
c) Or, do you let them spend it all because it’s “their” money?
I want to hear your thoughts.
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i suck as a parent 
Posted by Mark on December 4, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Make them deposit half into their savings account and they can spend the other half on whatever they want.
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Posted by I suck as a parent on December 5, 2015 at 11:15 am
I like that idea in theory but if it’s a gift I feel like they should spend it if they want. Would love for my youngest to get a job and save that money
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Posted by shoes on December 5, 2015 at 10:44 am
I would discuss the importance of saving but allow them to spend it as they wish (assuming what they are buying is appropriate, meaning not R rated items if they are younger, etc.) Beauty items and video games are not frivolous in their eyes.
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Posted by I suck as a parent on December 5, 2015 at 11:17 am
Shoes, you are so right that they don’t think those items are frivolous. I do need to respect their position. They would view my “wants” as ridiculous I’m sure.
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Posted by Yia Yia on December 6, 2015 at 8:35 pm
Let them spent as they wish – assuming it’s appropriate. Think back to your younger days.
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Posted by Christy King (@SimpleWhiteRab) on December 7, 2015 at 8:31 pm
I’d let them spend it how they want – after all, the person could have given them the video game or beauty products instead of cash. If they’re open to it, though, I’d discuss their options (letting them have the final decision).
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