Each day when I leave my job, I hop in my car and rush over to pick up Mini Monster from day camp. Obviously, when I say rush I mean that I obey traffic laws, speed limits, and drive cautiously. 🙂 Every day is pretty much the same. Mr. MMM drops her off at noon and I pick her up around 5:00 pm. However, on one particular day the other week, I picked her up and she was begging for me to buy her a soda. And I’m not just talking about any soda here. I’m talking about a bottled soda in a vending machine at her camp. Further, I’m talking about a bottled soda in a vending machine at her camp that cost $3! Since our little girl is getting a little older, we decided that she could go half days to summer day camp as opposed to the full days she used to endure. Needless to say, she’s all for this since she doesn’t want to go at all. But, since she’s not as old as she likes to think she is, we still believe a few structured hours around kids her own age serves her (and us) well.
Now, it’s easy to understand that engaging in active sports and play each afternoon causes one to become very thirsty. Not to worry though, we make sure she has a full water bottle with her each day. In addition, the camp is conscientious and realizes their kiddos might become a bit dehydrated and thirsty throughout the day so they have water stations strategically positioned throughout the facility that can be used to re-fill water bottles that go empty.
If You’re That Thirsty, Go Refill Your Bottle
I was alarmed that my little one was so insistent that I purchase this $3 soda for her since we never keep soda as a staple in our home and only consume it on rare occasions when we eat out. But, whatever the reason, on this day she wanted that soda.
When she walked me up to the vending machine I realized her desire wasn’t actually the soda. Instead, I truly believe her desire was just to get something out of this cool looking vending machine.
If I had thought about it at the time, I would’ve snapped a picture. It truly was quite an attractive, futuristic machine. She insisted she needed $3 for a soda out of this ultra-cool, ultra-modern machine.
Me, being the frugal mom that I am, couldn’t believe a little bottle of soda could actually cost $3 and that my little Mini must be mistaken. Low and behold, she was not mistaken. There it was in big, red, bold numbers… $3.00.
My disbelief was real. I immediately said, “Absolutely not! I will not pay $3 for a soda when we could buy (2) 2-liter bottles for the same price.” I’m actually not sure if that’s true, but I don’t believe I’m far off base here.
My alternate suggestion was for her to go refill her water bottle or just stop at a fountain on the way out. My outrageous suggestions were apparently not acceptable and not in Mini’s mental wheelhouse that evening.
“Do You Want To Be Poor With Rotten Teeth?”
As we continued to walk out of the building toward our car, Mini said something I never expected. She said, “I’ll just bring my own money and buy one tomorrow.” WHAT?!
Then, it happened. After Mini’s continued plea and outlandish comments regarding this exorbitantly-priced sugar water, I blurted out:
“Do you want to be poor with rotten teeth?!”
Yeah. I said that and I’m not sorry. I meant it and I’d say it again. 🙂
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The Financial Lesson
Needless to say, Mini never did get that soda. Over dinner that evening we outlined how ridiculous it is to pay more money for something than it is worth. We explained credit cards, interest, and the like. Thankfully, I think some of it got through.
This isn’t the first time we’ve explained finances to her. We are continually trying to explain and demonstrate to her through our behaviors what smart money moves look like. This was just a reminder that she is a work in progress. And that’s okay.
We then explained to her that if she wanted a soda for the next day, we would walk down to the grocery store and she could buy a 6-pack for what she was intending to pay for a single drink. Again, I’m not so sure $3 would cover the cost of a 6-pack of soda since I don’t buy it and have no idea what it cost at the grocery store. But, I’m pretty sure her $3 would buy more soda at the grocery store than it would in that highway robbery vending machine. Just a hunch.
It still shocks me that, after all of our intentions and teachings, our daughter had such an episode. She’s just a kid, I get it. It just goes to show you that frugality and frugal living is not inherent in all people – especially the little ones. I’m happy to continue helping Mini understand the importance of making wise decisions with her money.
7 Comments
I believe a “field trip” to the grocery store is in order. Store brand 2 liters are less than 1$. Name brand 2 liters go for 1$ when on sale. You could definitely get the 6 pack for less than 3$.
There are some bad deals at the grocery store. 12 ounce can and 16 ounce bottles go for $1.99 when they are in the fridge by the cash register.
We encounter this dilemma frequently when traveling. Most of the time I plan ahead and pack a cooler. It kills me to spend 2$ or more on a drink at a gas station or fast food place. My family has eaten many meals standing around the car eating fast food or snacks with drinks from cooler. Nobody wants to sit after being in the car, and nobody wants to spend 8$ buying drinks for a family of four.
You are right about a grocery store field trip. In fact, we mentioned doing that later in the evening, but by that time it sort of fizzled out and she didn’t have a desire for that $3 soda any longer. However, next time we’re there, I will definitely point out the prices. Thanks for your input!
Good on you! Impulse control and comparison shopping are cornerstones of financial intelligence. If you don’t learn those early (looking at self in mirror), it makes personal finance that much more challenging as an adult.
Thanks! Yeah, I had no problem saying a big fat NO to that request. 🙂
Sodas aren’t cheap if you opt to order them with your meals at the restaurants. There’s this one restaurant that’s walking distance from our house, and they started this every Thursday promo of $5 pizza. Went there with my son one day and ordered two small pizzas for us. Hey, $10 bucks for two small size pizzas? Not bad at all. The catch, ah well maybe not a catch but the sodas are $2.80 each.
$2.80 each!!! Oh wow. Yeah, that is definitely their “catch”. They also understand it’s tough to eat pizza without a soda.
Isnt it so funny how we want our kids to be just like us? My parents did that same stuff to me growing up…now super wealthy. But even now it pisses me off.