No, my child didn’t say this sentence. She’s a preschooler. And if she did say that, well that would be an entirely different post π
“But Mom, it’s only 15 dollars!”
I was at the grocery store with my kiddo, and there was a woman near me with her son and he was begging her to purchase something for him, and she told him no. And thenΒ he said in that whiny persistent tone of voice, “But Mommmmmm, it’s only 15 dollars!!”
The mom, to her credit, told him no and kept it moving. But the point here isn’t about the kid and what he wanted. The point is, how many times have we told ourselves, it’s only 15 dollars, or whatever price?
I am sure that we have all, at one time or another, justified purchases in our mind and to our pocketbook. “That shirt is only 10 dollars, it’s okay”. “It’s just a magazine. I mean it’s only $3.50”.
Whatever, whatever, whatever…
“But Mom, it’s only 15 dollars!”
We have all been that kid. We have all been of two minds as to whether or not to make a mindless purchase, at one time or another.
And that’s okay. *Raises hand* We have all done that.
The point is, recognize when you are about to make a mindless purchase and recognize it for what it is: something you really don’t need. People magazine is not a need. I’m sure any news about the Kardashian family can be found online. And honestly, if you watch their show, you’ll know all there is to know about them anyway. Not that I watch their show or anything… *cough, cough*
So the next time that voice says, “But it’s only 15 dollars”, really think about the purchase, and decide if it’s really worth it.
Because most of the time, it’s not.
I definitely use this excuse a lot. $15 (or whatever the amount is) can add up very quickly and before you know it you blow through your monthly budget. I’ve done this too many times!
I’ve done it too! The bullseye store is the worst for blowing my budget π
I don’t ever watch the Kardashians, nor do I buy things I don’t need (or shoudn’t eat) with excuses like, “It’s only one takeout meal.” …oh yeah I do π but I’m working on it.
Lol π We are all a work in progress!
I always think about how much value I will get from the item I’m looking at purchasing. if it’s $15, but I know I won’t use it, or it will sit in the corner of my kid’s bedroom an hour after we get home….nope, not getting it. π
You have more willpower than me Travis! π I need your nerves of steel!
I think this is what gets so many people into trouble. Yes, there can be financial catastrophes that create debt but for most people it’s mindless spending. And it’ not always buying things like designer clothes or expensive gadgets. But just $15 here and $20 there and suddenly your checking account is empty so you move onto your credit card. I occasionally catch myself trying to justify buying something because it’s only $15 too because it’s a hard habit to break.
You are so right about the mindless spending! You think it’s just a couple of dollars, but boy does it add up!
Oh I’m pretty sure I tortured my parents with this one! It’s funny how we can justify no if our kids ask, but when it’s us denying ourselves it’s entirely different. π
Lol, you are soooo right about that! π
I definitely use this excuse a lot less than I used to. Mostly out of necessity, somewhat out of responsibility. All those little purchases add up over time, and that’s not good.
Also, kudos to that mom for her resolve. I’ve seen too many moms give in just to shut the kid up.
Those small purchases definitely add up. My problem is books and magazines. Sometimes I have absolutely no willpower π
Yeah, I was proud of that mom too. Kids and stores, it’s like catnip I swear!
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I’m definitely guilty of this mindless justification, when really, if I have to justify, then I don’t need it! Great post Mackenzie!
You are so right Anna! If we have to justify it, then we don’t need it π Lol, I gotta remember that one!
I fall victim to this too. Not to my kid – I just ask him if he has a job, and he says no, so I tell him when he has money he can get it. But, with myself. Usually my purchases are (unhealthy) treats at the grocery, or the occasional Starbucks. I just try to limit myself to $5 or so a week… sometimes it works, sometimes not.
Yup, it’s those little purchases that add up. My little purchases tend to be coffee and magazines/books. It’s hard to resist the temptation sometimes!
My 5 year old will say this quite a bit and we just ask if she brought her money to the store and she said no. We tell her this is mom and dad’s money and if she wants to bring her money she can buy it. We want her to learn lessons. She bought a toy one time and saw that her money was gone. She doesn’t understand the value of money yet. She’ll ask for a trip to disneyland and I say it is too much and she’ll run and get money and say “here you go dad.” It is cute and there are lots of opportunities to have money lessons with kids.
Oh my goodness, that is so cute that your daughter wants to give you her money to go to Disneyland! That is just the cutest thing ever π
This is so true! Why did the mindset of ” I think I’ll just buy it because its cheap” replace, ” I’m buying this because I need/want it”?
Good question! The mindset is definitely different these days…
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