DD hasn't been giving in all the lunch money I have sent

[Cannotthinkofawittyusername]

DDs school uses an online payment system or a top up machine in school. It is a finger print payment system. She is in secondary.

I don't really keep tracks about her spending on it as most of the stuff they can buy is healthy, there is a limit each day of £5 and I was trying to give her some independence, I roughly know how much she spends each day so would be aware if massively different so all I do is tell her to tell me when the balance is low and give her the money. The payment system does not like my card type for some reason hence she tops up.

They have been a couple of occasions she has said a balance lower than I thought it should be but did not think much of it, just presumed that she had had extra snacks or breakfast food (no issue with this sometimes she feels like having breakfast at school) and give her extra. On a couple of occasions she has said that they have charged her twice for a drink or such (it has happened genuinely before) and she has told the finance office.

Last night she said a balance way lower than I thought so I dug out the log in details. Say I had given her £10 she had topped up £8 , If I had given her £5 she had topped up £4. Not enough to dramatically notice until it has built up.
I give her notes so there is little chance someone has been taken money from her. It is more likely she has used it for sweets or such in the shops on the way into school.

She does get £5 pocket money a week from grandparents plus phone top up and things from me so I am a bit annoyed tbh.

More of a wwyd really?

Ah my dinner money was almost exactly the same price of ten Richmond super kings....during my teen years I was lovely and slim but had quite a hacking cough...

I think that's quite standard young teen cheekiness! Have a chat and let her know she can't get away with it, but I wouldn't make a big argument about it

I must be a crap parent because I wouldn't be applauding ingenuity, I'd be pissed off at the dishonesty.

I would also be worried about them not eating enough, which will impact on their ability to concentrate in the afternoon.

I think we've all done that one way or the other. I would take issue to the scale and the regularity of it (ie always not putting all the oney in)

This has brought back memories for me as well. I'd also pocket the 50p bus fare and walk, dropping into the bakery on the way into school to get a scone, which would then be my lunch (only I'd then end up being so hungry I'd have eaten it by first break). I was always starving by the afternoon and would end up inhaling about 4 weetabix when I got home.

I can't even remember what I spent the money on - clothes, CDs, booze and fags I suspect.

I used to spend my dinner money on cigarettes. I was on a permanent diet anyway so at the time it seemed like an excellent decision.

Ahh, yes..a little tipple of MadDog..on a Friday afternoon..brings back memories.(wipes tear) My parents could never keep track of the money gave, so I was always crying for more..

Meh, you guys are all lightweights. Back in the early '70s I bought weed with my lunch money. BFF bought the smokes and we'd share.

Naturally I kept a much closer eye on my sons' lunch money.

A bit of Goldschlager (sp?) if feeling ritzy!..all those sexy gold speckles!

Across, my highschool had a "smoking court" in the Seventies, that was usually blue with smoke...both students and teachers !!!...

MD 20/20

Thankyou!! Was trying to remember what that was called the other day and couldn't You have reminded me!

Is it just me, or are kids actually a lot better behaved nowadays?!

Or are we just blissfully ignorant, in much the same way our parents probably were...

My 1st thought was Ellen MacArthur, too.

Id just say that she can have £20 a week but there is no top ups. That way she can learn to choose to spend it wisely.

I'm giggling at all the healthy walking miles to school to save money for fags

I was another one spending my lunch money on cigs. I used to get £2 a day which would do me ten Bensons, and a hot chocolate and game of pool in the amusement arcade at the bus station every morning.

I'd either do packed breakfast/lunches for the time being (if you're on a budget with all her existing classes etc) or put on a set amount a month, maybe £100 and when it's gone, it's gone. Tell her you'll be checking the full amount has gone on if you do this, so she can't skim it.

I was way too well behaved. If I had change I gave it back to Mum

EatShit Ours was about a dollar a joint. But they were fatties, though.

Secret I remember 'smoking areas', but ours was on the edge of the school by the street. We thought they put it there hoping our parents might drive by and 'catch us', even though we were all of legal age to smoke. Underage smokers still smoked in the toilets or behind the gym .

I am so glad my sons and DH have not a clue that MN exists! I've spilled more secrets here than they will ever know. 😇 or 😈 ? I'll never tell!