The children had to read and do school related things this summer to earn money for school clothes. We also told the children that they wouldn't get the same rate. If we were to pay Caleb 5 cents per minute, he would have nearly $300 to spend. It was a lot of fun watching him figure out what he needed and how best to spend his money. He bought the regular things - pants, shoes, and shirts. Then he bought some extra things - a light weight jacket and a pair of "dressy" shoes. He checked the price on everything he tried on, and he would determine it it was worth it. He and Eli would be in the store trying to figure out the best plan - a pair of pants was $19.50 for one, or you could get two for $25. The boys decide to both get the same item and then split the cost. They did this a couple of times. Caleb bought clothes that were a little more dressy, and then yesterday he got all dressed up in his new clothes. It is fun watching him grow up.
Eli on the other hand didn't really have a plan. He just looked at something, and if he thought he liked it, he would get it. Price didn't seem to matter to him. He got some of the same type of clothes that Caleb got, but he also got more "casual" type of clothes. He didn't read quite as much (not by a long shot). When we figured out how much he spent, he told me that if he got 5 cents a minute, he was over spent by about $20. I told him that would would probably pay him 7 cents per minute.
Emily was a big time price checker. The first thing she would do would be to look at the tag. She had a hard time if it wasn't rounded to the nearest dollar. I had to really convince her that it was O.K. to spend money, but every store she went into, she would check every tag before she would decide if she liked the item. She was worse than Caleb.
Claire was pretty carefree. She really has no concept of money, so she shopped with Emily. She wanted the same things that Emily was getting. At the first store, the girls bought the same pair of pants and two shirts. At the next store we went to, Claire found the exact dress that Emily was wearing, so we got her one. Claire changed in the next store so they could be twins.
We went to the Mall of America to do the shopping, and we got to do some rides. I am learning that I am a chicken, and I am not excited for many of the rides. I was also a little afraid for my children. They wanted to do some crazy rides, and I was a little afraid for them. We enjoyed looking at the pictures of everyone after the rides.
WE HAD A GREAT DAY!
12 comments:
We are on the back to school budget of see how little you can spend. Cenny needs nothing with all the beautiful clothes that the neighbor gives her. I have three bags full for Emily, she may have too many clothes now. JT will be great with the coming clothes from Eli. Thanks. Qatar and Zeke are going through their clothes today. Gunnar does not care I may have to talk him into new stuff, but so far he looks fine.
How fun. That's a good idea to get them to earn money for clothes. you know, i pretty much just got what I wanted. lucky for them i wasn't a huge shopper.
And yes, we did have fun....but we missed you!!! You should email me several pictures of what you and your kids have been up to lately - the walk, fair, etc.
Thanks for the fun day today bargain hunting!!! I love going up there with you guys!
I'm still sad that I didn't make it out there to visit you guys.
why didn't you tell me that!!! That would have been a great way to get my J to read more! He is all about earning money! And we did miss you tons. I kept thinking about you and your kiddos while everyone was here.
Dawn,
You are such a wonderful mom with the coolest ideas! Your kids are so lucky to have you as a parent. Keep the ideas coming...
i still haven't gotten any pictures from you!
You may not know it, but you are laying the groundwork for your kids to be millionaires! I finished the book The Millionaire Next Door, and it says when parents teach their kids how to budget their money instead of spend like crazy, they are people that grow up to be millionaires. Jeremy and I love what you've done!
I am still basking in the glow of, "I'm picking out your clothes because it's my money." I have a feeling that this is swiftly coming to an end, but I'll use it as long as I can!
This makes me think of one summer we made a chart for Autumn to read 100 books. We were planning on taking her to the store and letting her pick something out, clothes, toys, movie, ect. We told her when she read 100 books she could have a surprise. She asked, "Can I get an ice cream cone?" We happily agreed to that, and lucked out on that one.
Yet another amazing parenting tip from the Asays. You guys are the parents I aspire to be when I grow up.
Post a Comment