Chris came back from the school bowling trip several weeks ago pumped to get a cell phone. Others on the trip were running around with their phones taking pictures, etc. So we looked at the cost of a monthly plan which turned out to be $40. I told him if he could save $80 over 2 months that would be proof that he could handle the payments and he told us that would be NO PROBLEM.
For the last 3 weeks he has saved and sacrificed drinks and snacks in order to come up with $10/week. We could tell that it was really getting to him. On Saturday he started talking about an xBox Live subscription ($10/mo) and we told him that it was either that or the cell phone. He jumped at the opportunity to abort the cell phone savings and handed over the money for 3 months of xBox Live.
I liked this outcome for a couple reasons. First, it laid the ground work for a lesson in money management. If you over commit yourself the consequences can be misery. Second, his mom and I weren't subjected to the pleading, "Can I please have..." He knew that the choices were his and he made them.
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