Pocket money dilemma

[PimmsOfCourse]

We give 10 yo DD £5 a week. We have said £3 to buy stuff, £1 in her savings pot (to buy a bigger thing) and £1 to give to charities etc.
We ourselves give away a good wedge of money (not wealthy, no six figure income).

Anyway, the dilemma is that she buys lots of tat including popits, slime, fidget toys etc with her money. Her room is so full of stuff that it is stressful being in there.
How do we address this?

Isn't that what having pocket money is about?
To gradually learn that going out and spending it just because you have it doesn't have to be a thing?
I mean, you've probably not helped by giving the impression that £3 every week IS for spending. You have literally told her that.
I think at this stage you can start talking about the fact she might like to put something by each week to then buy {insert something she would like} that costs a bit more and needs saving up for.
Also that she might like to put a bit by each week to save up to buy Christmas present for the family.

While I agree it’s good to teach DC how to save and to give a bit to charity, it’s not really teaching them if you dictate that £3 is to spend, £1 to save and £1 to give. I’d just scratch the figures completely and show her how to set savings goals both short and long term. Then she decides how much of the £5 goes where.

Part of learning is buying tat. We also had no limits on what they bought, instead we focussed on showing them how to look for good quality, good price and so on. Taught them about charity shops and looking for it second hand on Gumtree. About what should be bought new…

Yes it can be stressful. One of my autistic DC has several collections and is emotionally attached to thousands of things I would call rubbish. And honestly we have invested in storage solutions for their room.

Anyway, the dilemma is that she buys lots of tat including popits, slime, fidget toys etc with her money. Her room is so full of stuff that it is stressful being in there. How do we address this

By letting her learn. She will gradually realise that if she wants to buy bigger ticket items she needs to stop wasting her money on crap.

Ok these are helpful comments. thank you

Any more suggestions are welcome!

How do we address this?

By leaving her alone. You are already massively controlling about what she does with the money.

Could you encourage her to find some things to sell at a car boot or on eBay so she can clear out her stuff and earn some money for saving for a special item?

My kids spend time looking at what they would like to buy and then have a focused aim as to what they want to do with their money. The oldest is brilliant in not wanting to deviate, the youngest buys little bits along the way but thinks decisions through more when we remind him about his aim. I think k maybe the wording of £3 to spend has given the impression of immediately rather than a long term view. I don't think you are being controlling, I also believe it is good for kids to look outside themselves and learn generosity and see others aren't in such a fortunate position. You have given control by letting her decide where that money goes.

Her money, her choice. She probably loves the tat. It’s tat you but precious items to her. I wouldn’t make any stipulations about what she spends her money on. Discuss her purchases afterwards eg this slime has all dried up already. That’s a shame. Do you think it was good value for money? Or if she is asking for a bigger value item for Christmas you can say that you will consider it but if she saved up for the next 5 weeks she could buy it herself before Christmas.

I believe you can guide her but fundamental like most things she has to learn by doing it herself and experience.