The importance of spending your pocket money.

This is a sponsored post for Target. 

A few months ago I posted about how we deal with pocket-money at our place.   It was one  of those quick posts I dashed off without too much thought – but amazingly it got  caught up in a cyber wave on Pinterest and I had people dropping in from all over the globe to see it.   It’s all based on ticks.  The kids get pocket-money when they’ve collected seven of them for doing little jobs around the house that really help mum or dad out. (Not for things they should do anyway – like cleaning up after themselves or making their beds). It’s up to the kids how quickly they collect their ticks – but when they have seven they get a gold coin for their pocket-money collection.   And then, on the school holiday we head off  out to spend some (or all) of their stash of cash.     They whole system is  a great learning tool and the girls of the family (even me)  really look forward our regular shopping expeditions.  Shopping and lunch – what could be better girl fun!

Last holidays we headed off to Target.

Target have a fabulous range of toys, books and stationery – both of which are VERY high up on the pocket-money spending agenda for eight, six and four-year old girls.   We spent time wandering the isles and chatting about what they really wanted.  Initially their eyes light up and they want everything they can see.  But I find when you allow them some real un-rushed time they begin to think more about what they really want to do with the money they’ve worked hard to collect.

It’s an experience that is rich with teachable moments.  They learn quickly that ‘all that glitter is not gold’. I’ll discuss with them some of the good and bad points about what they’re thinking of getting – but the decision always remains with them. (Well okay it does have to pass the age appropriate test.)  My big girl usually leaves with bags full of stationery – proving the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree!  While the younger two are still much more likely to be checking out Barbies,  My Little Pony or cute cuddly soft toys.

At our local Target there are usually bargain bins sat right between the toy and the stationery departments.   Bazinga – suddenly I had the prefect opportunity to give a little speech about  looking hard to find good value for money.    To be honest I’m not that sure how much of my little dialogue sank in this time around but it was perfect for little pink who had the least amount of money to spend. She came home with two lovely bright Dora the Explorer colouring books  and stickers for next to nix.

For us these days out are really important and are something I plan to continue for many years to come.  I can see already that eventually the toys will be traded in for clothes, shoes and makeup – but the connection and time together, I hope, will remain constant.   Thank-you Target for providing us with such a fun and enjoyable time.  I’m thinking the staff at our local Ballarat store may have thought we were never going to leave – but to their credit they really didn’t seem to mind.

Do you have a plan for how your kids spend their pocket-money?   Tell me about it in the comments below.