Spending money for kids ?

[la79al]

We are planning on a June WDW trip with DSS 10 and DSD 6. I am wondering how much spending money they should each get and what we should require they spend it on. I will most likely be getting each of them a tshirt for a Tinkerbell gift and DSD is getting a Tinkerbell doll at some point before we leave. Last trip we had to force them to pick out souvies on our last day. Plus this year we will be doing autograph books and probably more pressed pennies. We have the DDP and I am thinking about taking bottles of water and koolaid singles into the park so would it be completely evil to require them to pay for their own drinks if they don't want the koolaid?

 

[Darcy03231]

We plan our trips well in advance (usually a year, or close to it) and our kids save their own spending money. Relatives give them money for christmas and birthdays as they know we're going on a trip. I keep a list of chores on the refrigerator and they earn money for doing chores (each chore has a dollar figure next to it). When they were really little and weren't able to earn it, we gave each kid a set amount at the beginning of the trip and when it was gone that was it. Whatever they didn't spend was theirs to keep. I would remind them each time they wanted something how much they would have left. It's amazing how careful they are about what they buy when its "their" money. If you're already supplying a drink and they want something different I wouldn't feel bad about having them pay for it from "their" money.

 

[hvivona]

We plan our trips well in advance (usually a year, or close to it) and our kids save their own spending money. Relatives give them money for christmas and birthdays as they know we're going on a trip. I keep a list of chores on the refrigerator and they earn money for doing chores (each chore has a dollar figure next to it). When they were really little and weren't able to earn it, we gave each kid a set amount at the beginning of the trip and when it was gone that was it. Whatever they didn't spend was theirs to keep. I would remind them each time they wanted something how much they would have left. It's amazing how careful they are about what they buy when its "their" money. If you're already supplying a drink and they want something different I wouldn't feel bad about having them pay for it from "their" money.

We do the exact same thing! This works out so much better. It keeps us from having to say "no, you don't need that" every 5 seconds. They are definately more careful with their money. We still buy a shirt each for them and we pay for all snacks and drinks. Their money is only to be used for stuff like toys, dolls, trinkets, things like that they they want.

 

[hollyb]

We are planning on $50 each child give or take. They are 9 and 6 1/2. That does not include snacks etc..

 

[tinkercrazy]

Our kids have been saving for two months and both have over 250.00 a piece compared to their normal 100.00 or so. They we very determined to get what they wanted this time!! We only make them pay for they're own souvies and extra's they want for instance, last year ds9 left his sunglasses in room (as alway's) and purchased his own just to leave them somewhere else!! We'll, he learned a lesson. Anyway's in my eyes when they were younger,we gave them around 100.00 to spend and that was plenty!!

 

[tinkercrazy]

Our kids have been saving for two months and both have over 250.00 a piece compared to their normal 100.00 or so. They we very determined to get what they wanted this time!! We only make them pay for they're own souvies and extra's they want for instance, last year ds9 left his sunglasses in room (as alway's) and purchased his own just to leave them somewhere else!! We'll, he learned a lesson. Anyway's in my eyes when they were younger,we gave them around 100.00 to spend and that was plenty!!

 

[CampbellScot]

My step kids are 8 and 5. They have been earning money since September. They earn money for completing their chores and doing extra jobs around the house. (normally we don't pay them to do chores but they're 8 and 5 and can't really get jobs) Also every penny they get for birthdays and such goes into the Disney Jar. Whatever they earn is what they have to spend. They know this (well the 8 year old is much more aware than the five year old...) but he knows he is earning money for "prizes" as they call them at Disneyworld.

I certainly wouldn't "force" your kids to get souveniers. If they don't want them or can't be bothered to pick something out, then that's the choice they are making. Less money you have to spend. Once you arrive let them know before hand the one day you will be souvenier shopping. Ask them to think about what they might want as they are at the parks and then on the day you specified ask them what their choices are. If you get bad attitudes or apathy, then drop it. Don't buy anything. It's their choice and you are giving them plenty of time to think about it. It's not mean. It's good parenting.

I don't think it's evil at all to ask the kids spend their own money on drinks if they don't want what you are providing. They are learning lessons about choices and what kinds of things they put value on. Not a bad thing at all!!!

 

[2Pirates_1Princess]

I have three kids 9,7,and 4. The 4 year old has no concept of money, but we are letting her take $30 anyway so she can be like the big kids. The boys are each taking $40 in disney money and then maybe an extra $20 in cash. I have already purchased them each a fanny pack, autograph book, big pen, and stuffed animal. I am using memories by Sarah to purchase and deliver these items to the room. So they can spend their money as they see fit. We are also traveling with grandparents so they can squeeze her for cash and gifts, but I am pretty much done.

 

[hollyb]

I don't think it's evil at all to ask the kids spend their own money on drinks if they don't want what you are providing. They are learning lessons about choices and what kinds of things they put value on. Not a bad thing at all!!!
__________________

I will never understand why parents feel drinks and food are not their responsbility??

 

[Minnie_me]

This is our first time to Disney, so the girls have been saving up for a WHILE! They rolled all of their coins, cashed them in at the bank, and we purchased Disney gift cards with them. Now, every couple of weeks, we go back to the Disney store and put MORE money on them. They're going to have a little garage sale/brownie/lemonade stand before we go, too. I figure they'll have about $200 each by July.

As far as treats go, I told them that Daddy and I would buy one treat a day for the whole family (ice cream or whatever), and if they wanted something else, it would come from their own money. ALL of their souvenirs will come from their own money.

 

[Barbers2005]

We have the DDP and I am thinking about taking bottles of water and koolaid singles into the park so would it be completely evil to require them to pay for their own drinks if they don't want the koolaid?

Nope, not evil at all. You've already provided them with two drink options (water or koolaid)- if they don't like it they can pony up for a substitute. If that does make you evil, I guess I should join the club - last year dd4 wasn't allowed to have soda the entire trip (long story, but doctor's orders) and she still had a great time. For spending money I figured about $100ish for dd (plus a princess dress for PSB) and didn't really put any restrictions except that dh and I would steer her away from stuff we can get at home (like my little ponies at DTD).

 

[mrstbalt]

For the kids at Christmas I asked for Disney Dollars! They have $45 each..which will be plenty for them. They don't need a lot of toys but it will buy them a few things.

 

[ardig123]

Last year when we went DD3 and DSD 7 each had $150 in spending money(which they saved over about 14 months)... DSD was pretty much allowed to spend on whatever she wanted and DD3 we had to help a bit with her buying decisions (as to be expected with a 3 year old)... but we told both girls that they may use one snack credit a day (we were on the DDP) on whatever they wanted and anything beyond that they would have to pay for. We also had some fruit snacks/granola/water in the room so some days they carried that in their fanny packs. I think the girls only ever bought one extra popcorn and one extra drink each. Having the DDP fills you up more than you can imagine and the waters from the room were better than soda in that heat! By the way they both come home with pretty much NO money left over!! They went crazy on the souvieners!

 

[ballarinamom]

DON'T FLAME ME!!! DD5 is the only grandchild on both sides and there is a divorce in the family so she has 3 sets of Grandparents. She asked them all for disney dollars for b-day, christmas and (I know) Easter. She also sold some of her old toys at a resale shop and sold drinks and snacks at our yard sale. SHE HAS OVER $700 FOR OUR 7 NIGHT TRIP!!!! We usually hold her to one item per family outing. We live in San Antonio and we have Sea World and Fiesta Texas season passes and she can either have a treat or play midway game each trip. But on vacation we let her go all out. I still don't think she will spend all of that money as we are on DDP and we will only make one trip to DTD and the World of Disney/ Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. As she earned alot of the money herself, should we let her blow it however she wants?

 

[Disney's Fab 4]

I have 2 son's and in prev visits I would buy them toys/pins/souvies... But this time I told them, they had to save there own money..... I told them I will get them a shirt and ofcourse feed them... but toys/pins they are on there own.... I am a softy, so hopefully it works maybe they will think more carefully about what they want rather then just grab first thing they see...

Both boys have saved up about $150. each and have some disney dollars as well.... Should be plenty!

 

[CampbellScot]

DON'T FLAME ME!!! DD5 is the only grandchild on both sides and there is a divorce in the family so she has 3 sets of Grandparents. She asked them all for disney dollars for b-day, christmas and (I know) Easter. She also sold some of her old toys at a resale shop and sold drinks and snacks at our yard sale. SHE HAS OVER $700 FOR OUR 7 NIGHT TRIP!!!! We usually hold her to one item per family outing. We live in San Antonio and we have Sea World and Fiesta Texas season passes and she can either have a treat or play midway game each trip. But on vacation we let her go all out. I still don't think she will spend all of that money as we are on DDP and we will only make one trip to DTD and the World of Disney/ Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. As she earned alot of the money herself, should we let her blow it however she wants?

perhaps she could put about $500 in the bank to save for another trip? Does a five year old even understand $700?! My step kids tend to get rediculous amounts of money from their grandparents as well...they are the only two grandkids in a HUGE Italian family. When they came over with $400 each for their "fun" money, (geez they were 3 and 6)it went into the bank. They each got a stuffed animal and a Disney tee shirt and were thrilled to death with that. Over indulgence tends to start a snowball effect and entitlement sets in.

not a flame...just a suggestion.

 

[ballarinamom]

I completely agree about the entitlement thing. Fortunately ( or unfortunately when it comes to all of the stupid spending money ) when she receives money, 10% goes to charity, the remaining half into the savings account and the other half she can spend on her toys or save for vacation. She gives it willingly and gets excited about helping others. She chose to save al of this for vacation. She wants disney crocs and is doing the do at bibbidi bobbidi boutique. She has seen lots of things she would like to buy in the stores but we remind her that she can buy something now or save it for WDW. Even though she is 5, she does know the cost of things. She has divided out her money into envelopes for each thing she wants(pink of coarse!). We've been using this as a math project. With all of this said. I would feel bad about asking to put extra into savings considering she has already contributed the required half. My goal is to ask her to consider each purchase and to choose wisely. We'll see how that goes

 

[Steph9072]

Here is how we are doing our kids' spending $$, all of our kids got $40 in Disney money for Christmas. Dh and I are going to give them $60 then the Easter Bunny brought them all $2. for a total of $102

Then if they want to save or earn anymore they are welcomed to do so. If it be allowance or gifts.

For example my dd has gotten Disney money and real money from the tooth fairy that she has put with her Disney spending money.

My dss has been putting 1/2 of his allowance with it.

So the older two have a bit more then my two year old so Momma may add more to his.

But I like the idea of the Disney Money and them knowing up front how much spending money they have so it is not a hassle all week long. When it is gone it is gone. Oh let me add we are on the ddp and will buy any extra food or that sort of thing. Their money is for fun stuff for them. Be it games toys or what have you.

One exception Momma is buying Mouse Ears for all.

 

[Steph9072]

DON'T FLAME ME!!! DD5 is the only grandchild on both sides and there is a divorce in the family so she has 3 sets of Grandparents. She asked them all for disney dollars for b-day, christmas and (I know) Easter. She also sold some of her old toys at a resale shop and sold drinks and snacks at our yard sale. SHE HAS OVER $700 FOR OUR 7 NIGHT TRIP!!!! We usually hold her to one item per family outing. We live in San Antonio and we have Sea World and Fiesta Texas season passes and she can either have a treat or play midway game each trip. But on vacation we let her go all out. I still don't think she will spend all of that money as we are on DDP and we will only make one trip to DTD and the World of Disney/ Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. As she earned alot of the money herself, should we let her blow it however she wants?

I don't know you or your kid so I don't want to judge you at all. But $700 sounds like A LOT! However if she is wanting to do the Big package @ Bibbidi Bobbdi Boutique &/or the Tea @ Grand Floridian they are pricey so she may need the extra money. I myself would have reservations about my six-year-old daughter having $700 at her fingertips to use. I might suggest letting her take 1/2 to WDW but either saving the rest or buying maybe a new bike or some other big purchase she may want that would last longer than a week at WDW. Whatever you decide I am sure it will be a decision made from love so you can't wrong. Good luck!

 

[katiebsmom]

We started a Disney bank for DD earlier this year and any spare change (dollars and cents) laying aroung quickly gets snapped up and donated to the fund LOL!!! We also pay her for doing things around the house. She probably has about $200.00 so far. I told her it's her money so she can spend it on whatever she wants while there (food, crap toys, or a big something!!!) That way I don't have to keep saying no or okaying what I think is worth spending (my) money on.