Page 6 | To say no to Claire’s?

Brefugee · 07/07/2025 12:45

so, basically, @Brokebackretail you are already teaching the lesson, and for the older one (who is still quite young) it is starting to stick.

It really isn't a massive problem, is it? (that is a LOT of pocket money though, are they saving any?)

Digdongdoo · 07/07/2025 12:45

Brokebackretail · 07/07/2025 12:16

Blimey. Okay.

They get pocket money once a month. They earn it for doing jobs at home - 20p per job, max £1 per day (but realistically they never get past about 60p per day, for jobs like putting away the washing,setting and clearing the table etc) so they end up with about £20 each. And they're canny - it's normally buy 3 get 3 free so they pool their money and go for 6 bigger items for £40 rather than 12 smaller things.

I've talked to them repeatedly about delayed gratification, the environment, saving up for something bigger, low quality products etc and they get it in theory but in the adrenaline of the moment it's often forgotten. That said, older child is starting to think about durability of products, and last month little one decided not to spend straight away as there was nothing she really really wanted.

So maybe it's getting better and I just need to be patient. But I've been cleaning their room of old broken toys today while they're at school and it's all just so depressing!

Edited

Easiest thing to do is just take them to Claire's less frequently then. Just reduce going to in for a browse for nothing in particular, there's just no need for it and it's a bad habit to instil.

BedlingtonWillow · 07/07/2025 13:21

Brokebackretail · 07/07/2025 12:16

Blimey. Okay.

They get pocket money once a month. They earn it for doing jobs at home - 20p per job, max £1 per day (but realistically they never get past about 60p per day, for jobs like putting away the washing,setting and clearing the table etc) so they end up with about £20 each. And they're canny - it's normally buy 3 get 3 free so they pool their money and go for 6 bigger items for £40 rather than 12 smaller things.

I've talked to them repeatedly about delayed gratification, the environment, saving up for something bigger, low quality products etc and they get it in theory but in the adrenaline of the moment it's often forgotten. That said, older child is starting to think about durability of products, and last month little one decided not to spend straight away as there was nothing she really really wanted.

So maybe it's getting better and I just need to be patient. But I've been cleaning their room of old broken toys today while they're at school and it's all just so depressing!

Edited

I think if they're actually earning their money and not just being handed it, then you kind of have to let them buy what they want. Of course, you can guide them in the right direction in various ways that have already been mentioned, but I think it's mean to tell them what they can and cannot spend it on if they've earned it.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 07/07/2025 13:58

Brokebackretail · 07/07/2025 12:16

Blimey. Okay.

They get pocket money once a month. They earn it for doing jobs at home - 20p per job, max £1 per day (but realistically they never get past about 60p per day, for jobs like putting away the washing,setting and clearing the table etc) so they end up with about £20 each. And they're canny - it's normally buy 3 get 3 free so they pool their money and go for 6 bigger items for £40 rather than 12 smaller things.

I've talked to them repeatedly about delayed gratification, the environment, saving up for something bigger, low quality products etc and they get it in theory but in the adrenaline of the moment it's often forgotten. That said, older child is starting to think about durability of products, and last month little one decided not to spend straight away as there was nothing she really really wanted.

So maybe it's getting better and I just need to be patient. But I've been cleaning their room of old broken toys today while they're at school and it's all just so depressing!

Edited

And you still buy them sweets, books etc? Things children usually buy with their pocket money? That seems quite a lot for a 6 yo!

icanbewhatiwant · 07/07/2025 14:14

@Moonlightdusti hadn’t noticed that shop before. I’ve just googled them and there isn’t one in my local town, but is one in the bigger town that I visit about 4 times a year. I’ll have to look in next time.

PurplGirl · 07/07/2025 14:18

I hear where you’re coming from. Can you not just limit visits to Claire’s? Mine are allowed to spend their pocket money on what they want, though I do stealthy edit their choices by where we go. I rarely take them into town. Mine tend to save their money for gift shops on days’ out, or they’ll see something they fancy and we’ll look it up on Amazon together and I’ll try to guide them that way. £20 might just be too much if they’ve got lots to spend on tat. Mine get less and have to really think about what they’re going to spend it on/save for.

AbzMoz · 07/07/2025 14:18

Brokebackretail · 07/07/2025 12:16

Blimey. Okay.

They get pocket money once a month. They earn it for doing jobs at home - 20p per job, max £1 per day (but realistically they never get past about 60p per day, for jobs like putting away the washing,setting and clearing the table etc) so they end up with about £20 each. And they're canny - it's normally buy 3 get 3 free so they pool their money and go for 6 bigger items for £40 rather than 12 smaller things.

I've talked to them repeatedly about delayed gratification, the environment, saving up for something bigger, low quality products etc and they get it in theory but in the adrenaline of the moment it's often forgotten. That said, older child is starting to think about durability of products, and last month little one decided not to spend straight away as there was nothing she really really wanted.

So maybe it's getting better and I just need to be patient. But I've been cleaning their room of old broken toys today while they're at school and it's all just so depressing!

Edited

Could you show them the broken stuff and the equivalent cash next to it to show the waste?

It is all property broken or could they get crafty with it? Have recently seen some quite cool diy photo frames using hair clip bits and small party bag mini toys that might be worth a try?

ChocolateGanache · 07/07/2025 14:19

Lafufufu · 07/07/2025 07:10

You would be better off

making them wqit 2 weeks before conmiting (avoiding impulse buying)
once they are sure they want it "researching options" ie you show them alternates. where can they source pink pony sparkles for 60p /£1 (temu vinted etc) instead of 6 pounds and encourage them to save the remainder (&you pay interest on the savings)
then show them how if they save they can keep the principle and spend the interest

I give £1 for £10 saved (generous i know)

Also teach them to look after their things

Edited

And maybe point out how bad glitter and plastic tat is for the environment.

Jellycatspyjamas · 07/07/2025 14:24

Would they be interested in a big savings project? At 9 my DS saved up for a hot wheels garage that he didn’t get for Christmas. He literally saved every penny for 6 months and got about 2 years of constant play out of it. My DD is still a spendthrift but my DS always has a savings project - he’s saving for a switch 2 at the moment.

yakkity · 07/07/2025 14:26

The way they learn is they spend their money then when they really want something they don’t have any. Don’t then give them more. That’s the learning moment. Explain that they get money for things they want. If they spend it all on little things then they won’t have anything saved when there is something really special they want

Moonlightdust · 07/07/2025 14:32

Brokebackretail · 07/07/2025 12:16

Blimey. Okay.

They get pocket money once a month. They earn it for doing jobs at home - 20p per job, max £1 per day (but realistically they never get past about 60p per day, for jobs like putting away the washing,setting and clearing the table etc) so they end up with about £20 each. And they're canny - it's normally buy 3 get 3 free so they pool their money and go for 6 bigger items for £40 rather than 12 smaller things.

I've talked to them repeatedly about delayed gratification, the environment, saving up for something bigger, low quality products etc and they get it in theory but in the adrenaline of the moment it's often forgotten. That said, older child is starting to think about durability of products, and last month little one decided not to spend straight away as there was nothing she really really wanted.

So maybe it's getting better and I just need to be patient. But I've been cleaning their room of old broken toys today while they're at school and it's all just so depressing!

Edited

Look at the positives - at their young age they’re already doing maths and problem solving plus learning to be frugal with their savings and getting more for their money! 👏

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 07/07/2025 14:37

I hate clairs.

Yerdug · 07/07/2025 14:53

Claires is cheap trash and over priced. Could they spend their money on some jewelery and bead kits and make their own. Or even some Fimo clay?

Mumofferal3 · 07/07/2025 16:12

Brokebackretail · 07/07/2025 07:04

Basically my children aged 6 and 9 want to spend all their pocket money in Claire’s.

Everything they buy ends up broken within a week or two as it's such poor quality.

I want to give them autonomy with their money, and wanted them to change their mind about Claire’s themselves, but there's no sign of that.

Should I outlaw Claire’s and direct them to better quality stuff, or do I let them continue shopping there even though I hate it?

YANBU - outlaw Claire’s!
YABU - let them spend where they want

When my lg was wantig to buy in Claire's we would go around town to see if we saw anything else comparable. Often we would go to miniso or primark and see something better which was often more cost effective. Perhaps work on value.
My kids love a budget, they will challenge themselves to get the most for £1 in our local shop. Not only teaches them value but works on their mental maths too. Double bubble.