Garrett's grandma (Lucille) has always included a dollar bill for him in every letter she sends him. And then she'd include one for me too, once we got married. She'd usually include a little note about it being enough to go get a Coke at the store or a treat for Easter, etc. And she'd send us a dollar for all the little holidays. And then once we had kids, they started getting the dollars! And our kids get it double time because Garrett's mom sends a dollar too. So, basically, any time there is a piece of mail that comes from Idaho from Grandma W. or Grandma T., there is a dollar in it for each of the boys. In fact, today we got some mail for the 4th of July from Lucille and low and behold, there were two one-dollar bills in it, one for each boy. When Tyler first started getting dollars, we'd usually have one or two on hand and just take him to the dollar store or the dollar spot at Target to pick something out. But about a year ago, he got to the age where he was always asking for things when we went to the store and of course, they were things that cost anywhere from $5 to $15 and my response was "you better save your dollars then and you can buy that." And so that's exactly what he did.
He saves his dollars and we put them up high in the kitchen so they won't get lost. But on many occasions, he asks to see them because he wants to count them. It has actually been a good little tool for him to learn how to count well. And it's amazing how many dollars he insists are there sometimes!! (If only, right?!) And he now knows there are different kinds of dollars, so he calls these the 'number one dollars', but he points out 'number five dollars', 'number ten dollars', and so on. I surely know who to hit up next time I need to borrow a buck.
So every time he'd get a dollar from either grandma, he'd say "I'm going to buy ______(fill in the blank) with this dollar". And after about 6 months he had enough to buy something big, so in January he got to go to Toys R Us and pick out a Thomas train (of course). It's a good thing he saves his dollars for those because they are not cheap! And so just a couple weeks ago, the time came again that he had enough money saved up to buy another train. So it was time to head out for our adventure. This is a highly anticipated event, for sure! So, with money in hand, we took off to the toy store.
And oh my goodness, it took him forever to decide! There are so many stinking characters in Thomas--they know how to make some money, that's for sure! So he looked...
and looked...
and looked some more. And it seemed like he'd generally find something that cost way more than what he had and say he wanted it. Of course.
But he finally made his choice and we headed to the register with Dennis (I think. It's easy to get confused since there are SO MANY!).
He handed the cashier his big old wad of cash. He handed it to her before she had even rung up the train. He was just as excited to get rid of his money as he was to have the train! And he was also excited because he got some change back too.
And with a receipt and new train in hand, we headed home with a successful trip of spending our dollars behind us. And then we got home and Tyler came to me and said "Mom, I really really like those dollars that have the twenty on them." And my reply was "you'd better talk to your grandmas about that." See, aren't grandparents just the best?! We love them dearly and my boys are so lucky to have such awesome grandmas and grandpas.
So, how do you spend your dollars when you've got a few saved up?
Garrett's grandma (Lucille) has always included a dollar bill for him in every letter she sends him. And then she'd include one for me too, once we got married. She'd usually include a little note about it being enough to go get a Coke at the store or a treat for Easter, etc. And she'd send us a dollar for all the little holidays. And then once we had kids, they started getting the dollars! And our kids get it double time because Garrett's mom sends a dollar too. So, basically, any time there is a piece of mail that comes from Idaho from Grandma W. or Grandma T., there is a dollar in it for each of the boys. In fact, today we got some mail for the 4th of July from Lucille and low and behold, there were two one-dollar bills in it, one for each boy. When Tyler first started getting dollars, we'd usually have one or two on hand and just take him to the dollar store or the dollar spot at Target to pick something out. But about a year ago, he got to the age where he was always asking for things when we went to the store and of course, they were things that cost anywhere from $5 to $15 and my response was "you better save your dollars then and you can buy that." And so that's exactly what he did.
He saves his dollars and we put them up high in the kitchen so they won't get lost. But on many occasions, he asks to see them because he wants to count them. It has actually been a good little tool for him to learn how to count well. And it's amazing how many dollars he insists are there sometimes!! (If only, right?!) And he now knows there are different kinds of dollars, so he calls these the 'number one dollars', but he points out 'number five dollars', 'number ten dollars', and so on. I surely know who to hit up next time I need to borrow a buck.
So every time he'd get a dollar from either grandma, he'd say "I'm going to buy ______(fill in the blank) with this dollar". And after about 6 months he had enough to buy something big, so in January he got to go to Toys R Us and pick out a Thomas train (of course). It's a good thing he saves his dollars for those because they are not cheap! And so just a couple weeks ago, the time came again that he had enough money saved up to buy another train. So it was time to head out for our adventure. This is a highly anticipated event, for sure! So, with money in hand, we took off to the toy store.
And oh my goodness, it took him forever to decide! There are so many stinking characters in Thomas--they know how to make some money, that's for sure! So he looked...
and looked...
and looked some more. And it seemed like he'd generally find something that cost way more than what he had and say he wanted it. Of course.
But he finally made his choice and we headed to the register with Dennis (I think. It's easy to get confused since there are SO MANY!).
He handed the cashier his big old wad of cash. He handed it to her before she had even rung up the train. He was just as excited to get rid of his money as he was to have the train! And he was also excited because he got some change back too.
And with a receipt and new train in hand, we headed home with a successful trip of spending our dollars behind us. And then we got home and Tyler came to me and said "Mom, I really really like those dollars that have the twenty on them." And my reply was "you'd better talk to your grandmas about that." See, aren't grandparents just the best?! We love them dearly and my boys are so lucky to have such awesome grandmas and grandpas.
So, how do you spend your dollars when you've got a few saved up?
7 comments:
What a fun trip to the toy store. I also like the dollars with the 20 on them!! He is so cute.
If only I had a few dollars saved up... Erik's mom does a similar thing. For EVERY holiday she gives Jordyn a card with a little cash in it. Since Jordyn isn't old enough to spen her cash, we've put in into her college fund.
I love, love, love that you took pictures of this. So cute. I love the pictures of him handing over the money and walking away with receipt and train :) I save up my dollars to have people with talent like you take pictures of my kids! :)
Matt and I have been talking about how we are going to teach money management skills, you guys are doing awesome. I love that you documented this with pictures.
That is such a cute post Becky. I love those pictures. I guess those dollars here and there just because it is his mom or dads birthday or just because do add up. I save up to do for our kids and grandkids and fly to NOLA!!! I cant think of anything better!! love you tons. grandma T
Man, you have some great skills!
My husband would probably say that I spend way too much money on house decorations... i really don't even have my money saved when i spend it either!! :)All you can do is try right!?!?!? ;)
Fun! I wish someone would send me dollars...maybe I'll have to drop a hint or two...You are so lucky that he was only interested in Thomas (no matter how vast it is..) B had some $$ to spend the other day and we had to walk down EVERY isle in the toy dept. the movie dept, the make dept...we just looked and looked. Finally I told her she had ot choose or wait, b/c I was SO BORED! :) Enjoy those dollars!
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