My daughter receives an allowance every week. I wrestled on the right amount and came up with $2 a week. This allowance has raised the bar in my
parenting/her childhood. Now, when she wants something I get to say:

Well, you certainly can buy that. Do you have
enough money for it?

It’s a monumental moment; as exciting as when she could buckle that
seat belt and go on sleep-overs.

The connection to the source of where exactly money comes from is a great source of
discontent in our lives. My money - my control - it actually doesn’t just "appear" in
mommy’s wallet. Avocados grow on trees, not cash.

When she decided she wanted a hamster because Hamster Monster Chase was the best game ever in gym class, I quickly defferred her want to her own pocket book.

We looked at hamsters (have you seen the testicles on these little bitty males??!!); we priced cages; then there’s the monthly food budget; tumbling balls (they must exercise you know);
and those little chips you throw on the bottom of their cages. Adds up.

Coco has managed to save about half of the hamster capital investment. This morning, she declared she wanted an iPod.

Quick to see my opportunity to tip the scales away from a eating, pooping, smelly rodent to a small piece of electrical equipment, I said:

Well, might have enough saved for an iPod or at least half. Geez…but that’s your hamster money.

Her reply was swift:

I think my guinea pigs are cute. I don’t want a hamster anymore.

Deal done.