Instilling Frugality in the young

THe older ones do but the little one I think is too small to be able to decipher what is a deal....she knows what she wants us to buy her and she knows how to put money in her bank so she is on her way. The oldest ones all have to earn an allowance and are only allowed to spend so much of their allowance and have to save a certain percentage.

Kids learn early as long as you teach them. When I go to the dollar store they ask if they can get something. If I can do it, I tell them they can each have a dollar, they shop and shop, they get the most for that dollar. A few weeks ago my one grandson bought his baby sister a new rocker seat. He was so proud, he told me it was only $5 and he used his money to buy it. I was a proud Grandma, it was so sweet to buy that for his sister. Its important to teach them young the value of a dollar, and also how to get the most out of it.

Although I am really big on saving money my kids have not learned one thing from me in that area. It seems they won't ask for anything unless it is the highest price item on the shelf. They seem to believe the more it costs the better it is. Not sure where they would have learned that except possibly their father. I am always looking for a bargain and won't purchase many items unless they are on sale or if I have a coupon for them.

My daughter is very frugal, but seems she has married a spendthrift. My son is frugal about a lot of things, then extravagant on the others. His kids are my step grand kids, so I do not know how well I will mold them. I did take them for their school shopping and when Granddaughter picked up a sort of expensive gym shoe, all I said was " You will just be wearing these for gym shoes. I would rather you pick something a little less expensive, so that I can afford to get you something else as well." She quickly found a pair for much less that she liked just as well.

Yeah the boy was taught well lol. How could he not in this family.

I do not have any kids yet, but when I was young I was taught to look at the price and decide if I really wanted it and would eat it or play with it. I was also taught to look at the price and compare to see if there was a different brand for cheaper. I couldn't go through the store without asking "can I get this?" and then being ask "would you eat it?" or "would you play with it?" I'm glad I was taught that and I plan to teach mine and my fiance's children the same thing. Glad your grandbabies are value shoppers!

My daughter has the frugality gene, but I'm not sure my son does.. nor my grand daughter! I think a simple life is best.. and come to think of it, so does my son after all, so perhaps all is not hopeless.. Daughter sure loves to shop! They've figured out some frugality however - live with mom and dad!!

Well I don't have any children but if I did I would certainly teach them the value of a dollar. I have always been a bit "tight" for the most part. When I do splurge I almost always regret it later. We didn't go to yard sales when I was growing up but we often went to thrift stores. Since I got older and discovered yard sales though I love them. I haven't been to many this year because of the cost of gas but normally I would go every weekend until the weather gets too cold. Another thing I've gotten addicted to is salvage groceries. I have found some great deals in those places.

Hi Grandpa B, [i]I learned this attitude from my Mother and Sister when she will shop, she will always look around and find the cheapest stuff in the store..My dad has no patient as this,when he will buy something, whichever store or mall he will landed, he will grab it right away in order to go home after..lol! that is a good attitude there![/i]

My grandson Tyler who turned 11 today is a good shopper. He does look at prices and compares. He also saves his money and buys special things on his own and I think that is one reason he is so aware of the cost of things. He has done this for quite some time now. Don't get me wrong, he does tend to go overboard at times then I know he is a normal typical kid. hahaha

Hi GRANDPA BOB! Your grandson was taught well! Congratulations! I am proud to say that we have instilled frugality successfully in the minds of our nieces and nephews. They have been saving their school allowances and will turn over their savings to their moms before the school year begins to help their moms and dads with their school fees. It is a very nice thing what they are doing and I am so proud of them. Whenever we are in the mall, they check out the prices first before they ask me to pay for it. haha..They wouldn't buy it for themselves but ask me to buy it for them. However, it is still nice to know that they will consider the cost of the item before they ask me to and if I tell them we don't have any budget for it at this time, they wouldn't insist but will tell me, "Alright, maybe next time Auntie?" haha..Just love them! Take care always..God Bless!

I taught my kids early that the more you save, the more you have for a rainy day. Neither of them is as cheap as I am but they know how to pick a good deal and avoid false economy where the cheapest isn't always the best.

I think when children learns the concept of money, they should also learn the concept of frugality. Children who learned young to value their value would learn responsibilty and accountability which is a good thing in the long run.

I think itis awesome to teach children what to look for as far as bargains. Teach them the value of a dollar. Some parents buy their kids any and everything that they want. The kids think that the money is endless. Credit cards have made it so that a lot of people dont even blink at the crazy prices. Yes I think that it is awesome that your grandson is learning the value of money.

this is most definitely a learned behaviour and my kids are learning htat too. we take them grocery shopping with us and they have learned over the years how to save money. i know some kids that have everything handed to them on a silver platter and will no doubt find it hard when they are out on their own!

Good job to all of you for teaching your grandson well. Frugality is not always an easy lesson to learn. My son is still young yet for me to tell if he is learning anything in this area. We try to teach him a little, but he doesn't understand just yet.

Thanks for best response.

My daughter can find a deal. She is the best. Now the other day I bought three blouses and one pair of pants at Gottchalks, a middle priced store for 34 dollars. I they where 10 dollars a piece and then I opened a charge account and got 15% off. I will not use the account but I got the savings. I have several charge cards that I have for different stores that do not have a balance on them. In fact I do not even carry them around in in my wallet with me. I only take them out if I travel or I think I might go to that store. I have not used some in a year of more.

I think that's great. Children will do well if they are taught well. So, knowing that you have instilled that in those kids is awesome. Hats off to you.

Yep, all my children and grands are yardsalers because they like to stretch.......that dollar. I did indeed teach my children well and they are passing it along it seems. I have 2-3yr. old and 1-5yr. old grand and they always tell me about the great deals they get.