What happened to my allowance? You know, the one I used to receive as a kid? Where’d it go?
I was so good with my money when I was a kid; you couldn’t get me to spend it on anything. Any extra change I got, went into a piggy bank. Any dollars I received, were hidden in random areas around my room. Secret hiding places for secret dreams.
Books to buy, candy to purchase, sugar to infuse me as only kids can wish for.
I remember saving some extra coins just for ring-pops. My dad used to take me to buy them every once in a while, and I remember it being such a treat.
My allowance bought me books, so many books. Books were a form of escapism for me and I inhaled every word, imbibed every nuance. Books in my opinion, were worth saving up for, worth the dollar spent, my own mini therapy right in the palm of my hand.
But while I was stuffing my pockets with ring pops or perusing the latest Judy Blume, I was saving my money.
Did you hear that? Me, saving? I was too smart for my own britches.
But as the years went by, and the growing pains wore on, my money smarts left me. On that graduation stage, I accepted my high school diploma, and left my innocence. Saving your money is what children do. I am an adult now. Time to enter the real world and do what grown folks do and spend!
And spend, I did.
But now I’m at the other end of the spectrum and I’m not feeling so grown-up. All those years of spending and not saving have gotten me…where, exactly? Can’t I cross the podium again? Can’t I turn the tassle to the other side? The girl I once was, who saved her money…can I still find her? Can I be brilliant once more?
I’m trying. I’m trying to rediscover my love for saving, my love for random hiding places, my love for Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, my love for ring pops…
My love for having an allowance…
I think our worlds were much smaller, and of course our parents provided us with our basic needs (food, clothing, shelter) so we didn’t have to worry about that. But if we can even go back al little and reclaim those simpler wants and needs, I think life would be better! I’m reading your money or your life (from the bookstore) right now. It’s a good read!
I agree; I just wish I could tap into that mentality I had then, ya know? π
“Your Money or Your Life” is a good book! I checked it out at the library awhile back.
I loved Judy Blume growing up! I think a lot of it comes down to finding happiness in the little things. As a kid getting a Ring Pop, or something similar, meant the world…it was awesome. Now, we’re not simply content with the small things and we want more. Then we trick ourselves into thinking that want is a need. Being cognizant of that is vital in order to avoid spending towards that end.
Judy Blume rocks, seriously!!
I really liked your response; “Now we’re not simply content with the small things and we want more”. That is how one gets into a financial quagmire, I suppose. Wants and needs get mixed up somehow.
I too wish that I got an allowance. I actually miss my teenage years. Sure, high school sucked but at least I didn’t have bills!
Yeah high school was a hot mess, but you’re right; at least we didn’t have bills!
I’ve tried to give myself an allowance system… makes me appreciate all those years when my parents gave me an allowance (and paid for everything else!)
I miss the whole “allowance” thing! I don’t get an allowance for doing the dishes now π
Fudge is one of my favorite characters of all time! My parents never did an allowance, but I certainly had everything I needed. The needs vs wants get mixed up as an adult and sometimes getting into debt and figuring your way out of it can be a good,but painful learning experience.
Fudge! And Superfudge! I hope by the time my daughter is able to read these books, she won’t think they’re too old. They are such great books π
Needs vs. wants definitely get mixed up as an adult, you are right. I am getting better at figuring out the difference; I just wish my 10 yr old self could impart her wisdom to me sometimes!
OMG TALES OF A FOURTH GRADE NOTHING WAS AWESOME!!!!!! I need to reread it. I don’t even know if I would like it at my age but I still want to. Also, did you read Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret?? LOVED IT! LOL. I swore that book taught me a lot, I read it about 5 times as a kid hahaha.
John S is totally right. As a kid, you don’t know what else was out there. Now, we compare ourselves to others, and we always want more. I really need to get back to this idea of thinking like a kid again…ah, good ol days.
Are you there God, it’s me Margaret??? OMG, that book I read a million times! I learned so much from that book, LOL π
I want to think like a kid again too; things were easier then!
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I never got an allowance. My parents were “old school” and thought that I shouldn’t get paid to do things around the house. I certainly didn’t go without, they bought me the things I needed/wanted, but I was always jealous of the kids that did get an allowance.
Yeah, having an allowance was nice while it lasted!
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