When We Were Kids... Shopping With Pocket Money
By Darkwing
@Darkwing (21583)
April 4, 2008 1:28pm CST
Cast your mind back to when you were a small child. Did you used to get pocket money, and was this just from your parents or your grandparents as well?
Depending on when you were a child, the actual amount of pocket money would differ, but would probably represent a similar value. So, when you had collected in your week's pocket money, what did you do with it? Did you go to the toy shop and find a new toy, or somewhere like Woolworth's, where you could buy toys, stationery, sweets, comics, etc. Did you go to the sweet shop and newsagents and buy comics and sweets, or did you save your money up for something special?
I was given pocket money by my parents and my grandparents. Each Saturday, I had to go to my Gran and Grandad who lived locally, do a couple of chores and get paid my pocket money. My parents would give me theirs and that which my other grandparents had donated.
Then, I would go to the local Newsagent/Sweet Shop and buy a few sweets for the weekend, and to Woolworths, to buy a yoyo, a skipping rope, a jigsaw or some other small object of amusement. If I wanted a larger toy, I'd have to wait, and save. Then, accompanied by my Dad, normally, I would go to the Toy Shop near where my Gran and Grandad lived and browse for hours. It's surprising how big and well-stocked a toy shop seems to a small child. I would walk in and stand in awe, deciding where I wanted to look first. There would be bikes, dolls, dolls' prams and cots, spinning tops, dolls' houses, pogo sticks, everything up to bikes. I would take in the shop for a few moments, then slowly roam around the aisles, stopping, picking up and looking at/testing just about every toy in the shop that I could afford. It took most of a Saturday morning, before I came out with my new toy. The shop used to close for lunch, so I knew I had to make a decision by then. 
So, tell me your childhood shopping antics.. what did you spend your pocket money on? 
So, tell me your childhood shopping antics.. what did you spend your pocket money on? 6 people like this
21 responses
@prince217 (58)
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17 Jun 08
ya man i enjoy my childhood shoping i buy to many things in my pocket money but i waste my more money in playing games and eating fast foods.when i get money i simply ran away from there and eat to many things from the market some time i buy clthes also i go to see movies with my friend
2 people like this
@moneyandgc (3428)
• United States
8 Apr 08
When I was younger I would often save my money and buy my brother toys with it. He is four and a half years younger than I am.
When I was a little older and he wasn't as sweet anymore; I would save the money to rent a Nintendo game on Sunday. They were like $2 to rent one over night. But, if you rented on Sunday you would get an extra day free because the shop was closed on Mondays. 
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
5 Apr 08
I mostly used my pocket money to go to the movies.
Wasnt much in for toys I got the ones I wanted for bithday or Christmas.
only got from my parents no grand parents close by.
At age 13 I worked in feild for more money then I would go get things like lipstick Sweetheart pink was the rage then, also that pay was to help with my school clothes
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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5 Apr 08
You've always been a worker my friend, and you've grown strong in spirit because of that. I used to buy smaller toys like yoyos, kites, jacks, and all sorts of things which would amuse me for a week or two! 
Working in the field for school clothes which would match up to your school mates' and for your lipstick, was a good lesson of life, Lakota. Funny... sweetheart pink was a rage here at about that time too! 
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution. xxxx
Working in the field for school clothes which would match up to your school mates' and for your lipstick, was a good lesson of life, Lakota. Funny... sweetheart pink was a rage here at about that time too!
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution. xxxx
@GloomCookieLex (6073)
• United States
4 Apr 08
I didn't get money as a child. I think I started having my own money when I was 11 even then it wasn't a regular "income" it was only for holidays and report cards. However, conversely, I never had to use my own money to get things I wanted. My mother made pretty good money and I could usually get things I wanted anyway.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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4 Apr 08
Oh wow... I can't imagine not having had my weekly pocket money. Of course, I had to do little chores to "earn" my pocket money, but I also had visits from the Tooth Faerie. Did you have that as well? For each tooth I lost and left under the pillow, I'd get a bright, shiny sixpence in exchange.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution.@GloomCookieLex (6073)
• United States
4 Apr 08
I had toothfairy money, but I didn't really lose my teeth until I was about 6.
Also, I didn't have grandparents.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Apr 08
Yeesh, I missed out as a kid. My mother or grandmother never gave me an allowance or pocket money--if I wanted something they usually got it for me, but it wasn't like they gave me money to spend on myself for any candy, or a kiddie's magazine and especially not toys...gee, makes me think my folks were downright cheap...
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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5 Apr 08
I guess different parents have different ideas, my friend. Either that or they couldn't afford to much. We were living in a recession but I was quite lucky with pocket money.
At least you got some presents from them. Brightest Blessings, my dear friend, and thank you for your contribution. x
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Apr 08
Well my mother pretty much lived high on the hog as they say...she was always buying expensive gifts for friends of hers to kind of show off how generous she was, but nothing much for her own family
1 person likes this
@SassyKittyKat (2135)
• Australia
5 Apr 08
Man, I remember those days! When a few pennies were like $10.00 to me LOL and goodness, when I got a $1 or more, I thought I hit the jackpot LOL....
I remember my mom used to keep a coffee cup in the cabinet full of pennies and sometimes she would let us count out 25, 50 cents or sometimes more and go to the little store on the corner and get some candy or icecream. That was the best!
Those days were so simple and fun, not to mention worry free. Thanks for taking us back there and helping us to remember the simple things in life :-)
@Darkwing (21583)
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5 Apr 08
Yes, we did put quite a high value on our pocket money, but then, I suppose it was worth what $10 is now.
You're quite welcome to the journey back, and yes, the simple things in life are the best.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my friend.
1 person likes this
@SassyKittyKat (2135)
• Australia
5 Apr 08
That's true, things were so much more cheaper back then. It's really sad how much the value of things have gone up. You're welcome, this was a great discussion!
1 person likes this
@plumwish07 (4057)
• Indonesia
5 Apr 08
when i was kid, i usually using my pocket money to buy some snacks or candies or even ice cream. but when i went to shopping in big store or supermarket, mostly i would get bought by my grandma about the stuff that i wanted on that moment. and the good thing when i was kid since i live with my grandma, she always taught me to save some of money and when it collected in many then she would buy me some gold accesorries
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
5 Apr 08
Well I loved reading
My Mum would give me my Pocket Money and I would go out and buy my Comics I used to love them the ones I used to get where Judy Tammy and June
I do not believe that they are around anymore well I have not seen them
My Granny never gave me Money but if I did jobs for her which I did a lot she would ask me what I want so she would buy me Skipping ropes Hula Hoops and she bought me Books as that is all I ever wanted
She bought all the Enid Blython Books and I loved them
@Darkwing (21583)
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5 Apr 08
No, I haven't seen those comics around for a while. I'm trying to think what Lauren has. It's a girl's name, but I just can't recall it.
I liked Enid Blyton books too. I had loads of them, and I often used to be bought the Rupert ones. When I was really small, I collected a set of Noddy ones too. lol.
Brightest Blessings, love and hugs. xxxx
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
5 Apr 08
i have. my parents gave to us pocket money at school everyday, tells us to manage it well too and for us to learn how to save money.
we sometimes use them to buy some food, or those little things you see in school for kids.. cute stuff i mean. :)
we do not use it for lunch as we do go home for lunch and come to school again in the afternoon.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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5 Apr 08
That seems a good way of teaching you to manage money, and know that when it's all gone, it's all gone, my friend.
I used to be given a little bit of money for the school tuck shop which we went to in the morning break. I used to love Wagon Wheels then and Penguin biscuits, so that's where my money went.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
4 Apr 08
Sadly enough we never got pocket money LOL we were given donations from time to time when i would spend on sweets hehe, nothing much really.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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5 Apr 08
No problem with the when and which. I make typos all the time!
I suppose pocket money differs from place to place, but even just a little donation from time to time enabled you to go out and buy your sweets.
Brightest Blessings, and thank you for your contribution, my friend.
I suppose pocket money differs from place to place, but even just a little donation from time to time enabled you to go out and buy your sweets.
Brightest Blessings, and thank you for your contribution, my friend.@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
4 Apr 08
sorry "when" is suppose to read "which" LOL
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
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7 Apr 08
I got pocket money from my Grandparents who as you know were also my adoptive parents and I used to save that money for when I wanted something bigger and better than the usual! lol I was very spoilt though as I was the baby of the family and my older brothers and sisters were always giving me pocket money as well as buying me sweets, comics and little treats, several family friends used to give me pocket money too - I never had to worry about where I would get money to buy books or anything else like that - I always had the money in my piggy bank! I also remember that at that time you used to get money for empty soft drink bottles and these were always given to me by the rest of the family so I could take them to the ice cream van and spend the money on what I wanted! No wonder I always want things my way - I was a spoilt brat! lol xxx
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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7 Apr 08
Hi, Mummymo, my dear friend. Yes, you were spoiled a little, but it certainly didn't do you any harm, because you've grown into a very special, giving person, whom we all love. Somebody else brought up the returnable bottles and jogged my memory... I think it was OreoCookie. She jogged my memory towards something I'd forgotten, as I used to do the same thing. That's why I love these nostalgic discussions. It's great to look back on the good times we had as kids.
Brightest Blessings my dear friend, and thank you for your contribution.
@madebyrobyn (616)
• Australia
23 Jun 08
I actually didn't get pocket money until I was aged 10 and it used to be $5 a week. I actually didn't spend much of it and ended up saving it until I used it all to go on a holiday at the end of my schooling (at age 18). When I did spend a little bit here or there I used to go to the local newsagency and buy 100 chocolate buds for $1 which used to last me a week of munching! I did also like buying furniture for my dolls house, the tiny little fry pan was my most expensive buy at $15, I just kept thinking of all the work I had done for 3 weeks to have been able to afford it! I do still have it nearly 20 years later, so I guess it was worth it!!!
I found that pocket money really did teach me value for money.
@Darkwing (21583)
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23 Jun 08
You were a very thrifty child, my friend, controlling your savings and purchases that way... even making your chocolate buds last. Wow... I could have demolished those in a day or two!!! lol.
Yes, you seem to have learned the value of money at quite a young age, which can only be good. Brightest Blessings my friend, and thank you for your contribution.
@Winter08 (441)
• Canada
22 Jun 08
When I was a kid, I remember picking broken glass, nails, and other assorted rubish from the long grass in our yard. As that very young child (3 or 4), I did not know that we had only recently moved to that farm. And certainly didn't know what a mess the yard was in. I just remember the fun of filling a bucket and getting "money" for it.
Our mom had given us each a small bucket to fill with the garbage from around the yard. For each full bucket we were paid a nickel (5 cents in Canadian currentcy). We didn't actually get the nickel at the time as we were a "cash poor" family. But Mom kept a tally for each of us.
On Saturdays, we would go as a family to the country grocery store in the nearby small village and, while Mom did her grocery shopping, we sat at the ice cream counter eating whatever we have purchased with our money. Usually it was a bottled soda pop and/or a chocolate bar, depending on how much money we each had. Sometimes, if Grandpa showed up for his shopping, he would give us each a quarter (25 cents in Canadian) to get our drink and candy.
Once the yard was cleaned up, that was it for earning money until we got old enough to trap the gophers in the fields. Then we got paid a dollar for each tail we brough back. That money I usually spent on books.
@Darkwing (21583)
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22 Jun 08
Oh, what a lovely, nostalgic story, winter. I really enjoyed reading your contribution, so much that I'm going to give you best response.
I love the idea of going to the grocery store and buying drinks, candy and ice cream whilst your parents and grandpa did their shopping.
Thank you so much for your comments, and Brightest Blessings.
@rhettaa (213)
• United States
5 Apr 08
As a kid in the early 60's, I used to get .25 for allowance every week, and then when I was 12, my parents raised it to .50. For a quarter, I went to the dime store and bought tablets and crayons, or sometimes a small toy like a rubber ball. For .50, I could buy a 2 45 records or a couple of teen magazines! If there had been book stores in my town, I could have bought books, but there weren't, so I had to rely on the library truck for books, mostly. At Christmas and my birthday, though, we went to the nearest big city (big to us; that would have been Greeneville, SC) and I got two books, one from the Cherry Ames and one from the Trixie Beldon series. I treasured those books!
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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5 Apr 08
Oh wow... you spent your pocket money wisely, my friend. I used to buy things like that occasionally but I always had to have my weekly bag of sweets, whatever happened, and my comics were important to me too.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your interesting contribution.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
5 Apr 08
i never really get a pocket money when i am still a child until i am about 9 years old... my parents think that they don't have to give me money since i can ask whatever i want from them... and if they think that i can have it, then they will buy it for me... i got a piggy bank though... but my parents don't allow me to touch the money inside it until it is full... and i usually spent my money on books and stationaries when i am still a kid...
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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5 Apr 08
That's just the type of story I was hoping to hear, my friend. I like to learn about different cultures and the way they do things. I think your parents handled things in a very good way for you to learn the value of money, and indeed, of saving for something you couldn't afford to go out and buy every week.
Thank you very much for your contribution, Lingli, and Brightest Blessings.
@raydene (9871)
• United States
5 Apr 08
Hello Sweets
Since you have invited
me to a walk down
memory lane I will
tell you I have very little
money as a child and
very seldom went to the store.
We were each given change for chores done
and allowed to go to a small candy store
maybe once a month.
We had everything we needed at home
and I didn't realize till grown
that we were poor!
Our lives seemed so full!
xoxoxoxoxoxo
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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5 Apr 08
I think we were all quite poor in those days. I was only talking to my Mum the other day about how she concocted a corned beef and baked beans pie, for Mondays. We used to love it, even though it was a pretty cheap meal for her to make.
I suppose once a month wasn't too bad. My treats at home used often to be fruit, but Mum did used to buy one chocolate bar a week, and grate it onto bread and butter to make sandwiches for our tea. She also used to make sandwiches with sultanas in them, because she thought it was healthy for us, and relatively cheap again I suppose. The rest of the time, it was jam and marmite sandwiches for tea.
I still enjoyed my childhood, didn't you? Brightest Blessings my dear friend, and thank you for your contribution. xxx
I suppose once a month wasn't too bad. My treats at home used often to be fruit, but Mum did used to buy one chocolate bar a week, and grate it onto bread and butter to make sandwiches for our tea. She also used to make sandwiches with sultanas in them, because she thought it was healthy for us, and relatively cheap again I suppose. The rest of the time, it was jam and marmite sandwiches for tea.
I still enjoyed my childhood, didn't you? Brightest Blessings my dear friend, and thank you for your contribution. xxx
@vera5d (4005)
• United States
5 Apr 08
woolworth's was a neat store, i was sad when they went out of business!
I never got an allowance as a kid. My grandma would try to pay me to do things for her like "go rake up those leaves and i'll give you a quarter!"
I didn't like taking money from her though. So after awhile I stopped taking her money and accepting juicy fruit gum instead as payment. She got really mad if I would work for free, lol.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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5 Apr 08
Yes, Woolworths was a good store. We still have a few hereabouts, now.
I think your Grandma's practice of giving you your pocket money for chores, and jobs, was a good one. It must have taught you that if you work, in later life, you get paid. A good lesson for you. It also showed your love and appreciation of her that you didn't want to be paid after a while, but the juicy fruit gums were a good idea also.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your input.
@jhl930 (3601)
• United States
5 Apr 08
I remember whenever I was younger and I use to get money I would go and go to the dollar store or something like that so that I could get more for what money I had...and I remember I use to get a good bit for two or three dollars but that is gone now...I mean really I use to go and get a lot of candy or something like that and now I would be lucky if i could get a handful of candy for two or three dollars the way that prices have goen up...
JHL930
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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5 Apr 08
Yes, the value of money has certainly changed a lot, but I guess nowadays, the wages are higher, so the kids get more.
You were very thrifty in going to the pound store, weren't you? A clever little person, having it all sussed out like that!
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your input, my friend.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your input, my friend. @pumpkinzz (37)
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4 Apr 08
I can remember getting my pocket money on a saturday and going to the newsagents and buying a comic, and then going to the sweet shop and getting sweets, this was when you could get things for half a pence, a long time ago. i used to be able to get an enormous bag of sweets for about twenty pence , and they would last me for days, if i hid them.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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5 Apr 08
Yes, things seemed so much cheaper in those days, huh? I used to get the old coins, and Blackjacks were four for an old penny! Sometimes I mixed Fruit Salad chews with them, but I preferred the liquorice ones.
I loved to buy a comic too... in my childhood days, it was normally the Dandy or the Beano.
Brightest Blessings, and thank you for your contribution.
Brightest Blessings, and thank you for your contribution.