Would you spend your DC's money?

[whethergirl]

I'm skint and living on a very tight budget. DS age 6 however, is loaded and has over £200 in his money box, and more on the way. I have a large family and money is from Xmas, Birthdays, grandad slipping £20 notes in his pocket for no reason at all etc.

DS' choice (if he had any inkling as to how much money he had) would obviously be to spend it all on toys. However, he has more than enough toys (due to large family again giving presents and also plenty of hand me downs from older cousins).

So do you think it's ok to spend his money on any of the following? Do you, or would you?

1. Clothes & shoes. Referring to basics as well as a wedding suit needed for my sister's wedding.

1. Days out - although we have lots of freebie/cheap days out, there are few places I'd love to take him which I could't normally afford ie. London Zoo, Legoland. I'd pay for his ticket but would try to pay for mine.

1. Bedroom stuff - a new (cheap) bed, bedroom furniture - curtains, lampshade for example. He basically doesn't have much of a bedroom at the moment.

1. Tai Kwon Do and/or swimming lessons

Have only ever spent some of his money on clothes he needed before, but would love to know what you think!

TheSecondComing - I thought he'd have to wear a suit really, it being my sister's wedding but will ask around the family to check. But def wouldn't get away with JEANS!

thisisyesterday - I appreciate all your opinions, that's why I am here! I was referring more to the days out, swimming lessons re enriching his life.

Although I wouldn't absoloutley rule out bedroom stuff or clothes - these things do make him happy. He loves wearing "cool" clothes. And bedroom stuff - he would get excited about, for example, a Toy Story lampshade. Maybe enriching isn't the right word....I know my bedroom and the decor was really important to me when I was growing up, it was my special place where I could have preferences unlike the rest of the house.

I've tried charity shops and they don't really work for me, because a. the charity shops in my are are RIDICULOUSLY expensive. b. I just find it too time consuming (time I don't have) to root around several shops in the hope of finding something that will fit him and that we like. When I could walk into Primark or Hennes and buy it all there, new, for not that much more money.

custardo - yes I will, and I don't see this as a permanant thing. I hope and believe that one day my financial situation will improve and mean I won't even need to consider this dilemma.

TheSecondComing - "sales manager" eugh, I am completely put off now. What was I thinking.

Yes! Of course it's fine. That money is there..he need clothes. End of.

get out the hammer!

Get him a ovely shirt from here...

www.tulipandnettles.com

you need some nice linen trousers like this and maybe a shirt set like this

or this is very cool!

A lovely shirt...not a ovely one! I like the gingham one...it's smart but not sales managery!

Darn...wonky link!
here

I would talk to him and ask if he would like to spend some of his savings on nice things like a day out, or else for the Tae Kwon Do or swimming, or for his bedroom.

But I wouldn't do it without asking him, and it wouldn't be on shoes unless I had no other choice. In whihc case I wouldn;t be considering trying to find the money for Legoland from my household budget anyway.

oh - and legoland MUCH better than London Zoo

Our DD bought her own trampoline last year. For her own birthday.
OP, I think you know your DS best, do whatever it takes to make him happy. If it means using 'his' money, do it.

Yes to all, he'll get more use out of clothes/sports lessons/days out than out of loads more toys.

I would borrow money for the suit and pay it back as I could. Yes to everything else.

Skinit - family are already asking me what to get for his birthday which is coming up, they all know he has too many toys, so will definitely be suggesting clothes. I feel a bit bad, because obviously clothes don't have the same impact as when he opens a present with an exciting toy. On the other hand, said toy might get played with only a few times, and the pleasure of clothes comes later, when he's deciding what to wear one day and admiring his outfit in the mirror (a bit camp, my boy).

I am LOVING the gingham shirt, it's gorgeous. Will consider although still feel it's too pricey for just a shirt.

thisisyesterday - thanks so much, great research! Will be keeping an eye on the trousers/top bit, it's a definite maybe for the wedding. But that cowboy shirt.....I am in love with it, it's right up my street and will definitely be bidding on it whether or not he wears it at the wedding. Nice one!!

TheSecondComing - I hate it too normally, I really don't know why I got it into my head that he had to wear a suit. I was looking at this kind of thing though here . Is that still sales managery? I did watch Bugsy Malone a few weeks ago and think I've been influenced somewhat.

Wouldn't buy him a suit either but definitely would use it to furnish his bedroom. A decent bedroom absolutely would enrich his life.

I have borrowed from DD when I've been really skint and put an IOU in her money box. She's 3, she has no need of the money yet or knowledge that it's there. Although I used it to buy essentials for her, by the time she is old enough to need it it'll be back.

Blu - yes, actually I felt clothes were okay and not shoes for some reason. Not much difference though. I suppose shoes are slightly more functional.

Really appreciate all the feedback!

Gwendoline - Yes, I'm definitely decided on not using his money on the wedding outfit now. And yes, I think this is quite age relevant too. I will probably make different decisions when he is older and into saving up.

oh no whethergirl we may have a bidding war on our hands as I also have a 6 yr old ds and rather like the cowboy shirt too lol!!!

Maryz, a lot of the cash actually comes from my dad who gives my ds money everytime he sees him (it's a mediterranean thing) and also from a tradition we follow twice a year where all adult relatives give money to the kids in the family. But great ideas, and yes, I will be more specific when asked now and think about it more. I did ask my sister to buy him a lampshade for xmas and she bought this dinosaur lampshade that he was over the moon with, so it can work (useful presents as well as presents that excite him).

thisisyesterday, actually I wrote to the seller and she said she spilt a huge big cup of coffee all over it, and as she got up to get a cloth to clean it she accidentally stepped on it with her stiletto heel and made a huge gaping hole. So, I wouldn't bother if I were you.

Oh and apparently the hole got caught on a nail in the floor and practically ripped it to shreds.

Good one Maryz, will do that, I can guarantee there'll be no objections on either side, actually I think it would make my dad really happy to hear it.