My kids are well versed in that big “no-no” of knowing we don’t have a lot of money. Honestly, it didn’t scar me growing up and it really doesn’t seem to bother them. “We can’t have it because we can’t afford it” really isn’t something I mind them knowing.  Actually I think it is a good mindset to learn early.  So today my son(8) brought up Lego watches.

He would love a Lego watch. When he saw it in the store he thought, $5 for THAT??? CRAZY!!! (It may have been $11. At least the other son thinks so.) Well, he has been thinking about it quite often apparently and here is what he came up with. I am paraphrasing just so you know.

Son: Mom, I have been thinking that Lego watches aren’t really that bad a deal.

Me: Oh? Why?

Son: Well, when you really think of it they don’t cost as much as other watches. PLUS they can do more and have more things with them.  (I tuned out as he listed all the cool features. Bad mom).

But you know? He is on to something. He’s right. Really, he is. He convinced me. I could go pay $10 for a boring old watch for him and really, it wouldn’t do much besides get broken. The quality of this Lego watch is dubious but if he is just going to end up breaking a watch anyway it really isn’t all about long-lasting quality. It’s about his enjoyment and the use he can get out of it.

Know what? I’m going to suggest he start setting aside money he earns for that watch. Then we will go to the store and look at the “real” watches and the Lego watches, go through the pros and cons of each and see what he decides then.

Today it’s a Lego watch…tomorrow a car….or brand name shoes.

Smart spending doesn’t have to start when you are older or made a ton of mistakes. Teach them now. Teach them young and hope they don’t make mistakes we might have made.