How much spending $$ do you give your kids?

[melissa2002]

How much $ do your kids get to spend, and is that from you or their own money. Also, please list ages of kids, I think that makes a difference too.

TIA,

~Melissa

 

[jel0511]

We gave DD 6 $75 for her to spend during our 2 week trip in July. We go every year, so they don't need everything, and it teaches her little about money. She of course spent all of it after 4 days, so she didn't get anything for the rest of the trip, except for a couple little things.

 

[stacy6552]

Our kids get as much as they earn in the 4-6 weeks prior to going. Our son who has gone a few time between 6 and 10 typically has around $35 and its plenty for him.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

We gave DS4 $40 in Disney Dollars for him to spend however he wanted.

I did have to bite my tongue when his first choice was a $7.50 bucket of popcorn.

He wanted the cute bucket

 

[turnlisa]

Last year was the first year that we did this and it seemed to work for us. May not be perfect for every family. Since my kids tend to get a lot of stuff, starting about 3 months before the trip, we made a deal with them. For every week that they didn't get a toy, book or some treat, we would set aside $10 for each of them. By the time we went, my older DS had about $160 (he had a birthday in there). He turned 7 the week we were there but the money really made him think. When he would say that he wanted something, we asked him if he was willing to spend his money on it. It made him think about his choices and we didn't have to haul out our wallets to pay for things. We started this again this year and so far he has saved up $60. By the time we go he should have about the same amount as last year. We carry the money so there is no child running around with that much. Like I said, it may not work for every family but it works for ours and allows us to not have to pay as much for souvenirs (or toys for months beforehand!)

 

[momxx5]

We have 5 children ages, 10, 9, 7, 5 and 2 yrs old.

Thankfully our children are so happy to be going to WDW, with the understanding that it is an expensive family vacation, that they are not the "wanting" type. We pay for all the snacks and meals. As a gift to each child I buy them a special WDW exclusive t-shirt. The boys picked one from their favorite rides. DS 10 - Star Tours t-shirt, DS 9 - Rock-n-Roller coaster, and DS 7 - Test Track. These are items that you cannot get at the Disney Store or anywhere else.

I also allow them to buy a toy each for around $25.00. We usually go to DTD twice during our stay. Oldest usually buys Legos, younger DS buys toys. My middle son bought pins from his favorite ride. I was very happy with their choices.

For the girls, DD 5, I let her pick out a toy or princess item. She got the PollyPocket Jasmine and a stecil Princess drawing set. For DD 2, I brought along some princess toys I bought on clearance at the DS. She didn't know the difference.

I try to steer them away from items that can be purchased at Walmart or other toy stores. I always works out for us.

I think the Disney Dollar buget is a good idea too. I may have to do that next time we go.

 

[CapeCodFam]

As momxx5 has stated my 3dboys are not the wanting type either. We do the same thing a t-shirt or a hat and one toy about 25.00. This year we are going right before christmas, so I told them they can get 2 toys this year one being their christmas gift from mom and dad. They also love getting a few smooshed pennies this is their most favorite thing.

ds8
ds6
ds2

I am very greatfull that above all they just enjoy being in WDW.
They can't wait to see the christmas decorations and MVMCP.

 

[eeyore kelly]

Dh and I usually pay for stuff around the house such as the school Friday candy sale, etc. We started our kids 8 & 11 on an allowance, which has to go in their vacation bucket. When we go on our trip in Feb 2006 they will get $20 a day. If they want to spend more, they have to talk to DH and I about it. We will let them go over budget one day a piece. We are supplying them with autograph books, 3 pins apiece, and a pressed penny book. (B-Day presents)

Their pressed coins will come out of their money, but it won't count towards the $20 a day budget.

 

[Disney Ella]

My DDs 8 get Disney Dollars for birthdays, Christmas, etc. and usually have about $40 to spend, which has been plenty for them. We always buy them a tee shirt too.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I use a chore chart/token reward system for my children's daily routines. Right now I'm letting them trade in tokens for Disney Dollars instead of the usual rewards/treats/privilages they spend their tokens on. They are very excited and it's helping them to learn the value of saving for something big.

In addition, we will give them some extra spending money when we get to WDW. So far, they each have close to $20. At this rate, they'll be loaded by November.

 

[SnowWitch]

Since our boys were 7 and 9 they have used their own money. We pay handsomely for A's and we discovered that if they take their money theyr eally thought about the purchase and did alot less impluse begging. They are now 12 and 14; they really don't spend any now. So I buy a couple of t-shirts or a Roots sweatshirt.

 

[Strings]

DD4 gets her allowance in Disney Dollars. We're not going until 12/2005, so she will have 70 dollars. I bet my DM will also give her $10 DD for christmas. She will have plenty. I do however bankroll her pressed penny collection.

 

[homeschooler]

My kids aren't 'gimme' either but they earn money and all year round save a little hoping that we will be going again. Usually, by 2-3 months after getting home, they know what they want if we go back.

We also go the first of the year so when grandmas and Great-Grandma ask what they want for Christmas, they usually say money for Disney. When they get the envelope, they are sooo excited and will make a comment like "look, Mom. Now I can get the Monorail I want," or whatever so everyone is happy and 95 year old Great Grandma doesn't have to worry about shopping.

I am ALWAYS surprised at how much they have saved and how much they have with them. Usually over $100.00. And they are more frugal of their own money than they are mine.

 

[mommybear318]

When I was a child, my parents would match whatever money my sister & I saved. My husband & I decided to do the same with our son. We just came back from a 2 week vacation in Florida in July. We did not do Disney this time, we did USF & IOA ; Kennedy Space Center & visited with my parents. We matched any money saved. My son ended up saving $160 & we matched the $160 - so he had a total of $320 to spend. He even came home with $1.

 

[Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo]

We always tell our boys that we will match up to $50 of what they save. They are much more careful of what they buy when they've worked so hard to save, and they know that when it's gone, it's gone. THere has never been any whining or begging. It works great!

 

[Doodlebug939]

This summer my chidren (DS6 and DD almost 4) went through there toys and decided what they didnt need or want anymore with the clear understanding that what ever I sold on Ebay they got 100% of the profit. Each child earned around $100 to spend at Disney however they want. My son came home today and asked if he can have some of his money before the trip to buy a Leapster game for the trip to Florida. I told him that was fine with me and we would go shopping for his new game a few days before we leave. I am guessing my daughter will want to do the same thing as her big brother. But I really like that he made the decision on his own and understood that he was using his own money.

But to be truthful they really only need about $25 each for Disney. They know that the first evening there we look at Disney Downtown in the shops. If something really sparks their interest then we can come back on the last day. It really cuts down on the I wants or I needs. Plus I got rid of some of the toys that they dont play with. Cant beat that

 

[FINFAN]

We are going over Christmas and each of my kids will receive $30 in Disney Dollars in their stockings. They are 10 and 14. They always bring their own spending money along, never the same amount, sometimes it has been $10 , once it was $62....so the DD will be a bonus to what ever they bring themselves. I plan on buying them each a Christmas hat, so they will not need to spend on that.

 

[skiwee1]

My DD is 5. I don't give her a fixed amount of spending money. She can get whatever she wants until I feel it is enough. I don't mean I spend $1000s on her by any means. I am just afraid that if she had a set amount like $100 then she would buy a lot of little junk. Whereas if I don't set a price and she wants a good mix of things then I let her get what she wants. Our trips last 14 days so we all end up with too much stuff! She usually gets a t-shirt or jacket, new hat, spinny light thingy, a couple of character playsets, a couple of stuffed characters, ornaments, and some books. She got that do it yourself crown last time too. That is about it. If she only wanted all new hats OR all stuffed animals then I wouldn't be spending all that money. It has to be a little of this and a little of that. It isn't how much is spent but what it is spent on.

 

[rsschneck]

My DD is 7 1/2. We are traveling to Disney at least three times this year. She has an incentive chart for chores, homework, etc. Takes 10 stickers to earn $1 Disney Dollar. Then Easter Bunny, Santa, Birthday, etc. she gets some Disney Dollars. We now have Grandparents that have caught on . We count how many DD$ she has saved and decide how much she can take with her. As long as she makes good choices she can spend the money anyway she wants (souveniers, ice cream, etc.) This way she earns the money and saves us money because she doesn't ask for anything after her money has been spent.

Her actual allowance is used to buy stuff at other times. Everyother week she gets $7 (her age). Half goes in her savings bank and the other half can be spent when we go shopping. Again works great!

She usually takes $75 and the most would be $100 to WDW. If we have saved more than that we save it for the next trip.

She tends to make better choices when it is money she has earned!

 

[tae1218]

Last year I told my Dd6 I would double whatever she saved. So she began saving her allowance ($5.00 a week). By vacation time I think she saved $55.00 so we doubled it and once that was gone it was gone. But I admit I did pick up small things for her here and there too.