Money Matters Part 3

After weeks of pestering from Lucas, I reluctantly agreed to let him top up his cash card for school. The first time, I gave him RM20 and told him it has to last for a week. He did quite alright. On the second week, I thought save some hassle and gave him RM50 and told him it has to last for two and a half week. And guess the hell break loose. On the first day, he spent RM8. I told him to spend less the next day to catch- up with the overspent. The second day, he spent RM5. I told him he has to reduce more. The consistently spent RM5-8 for the next few days. One a half week later, he was downed to a few ringgit. I asked what is he going to do about it. He said he buy an oily bread (yu tiou) for RM1 and eat half for breakfast and half for lunch. When the money finally run out, he did not even bother bringing the cash card to school. When I asked how much is left, he said I don't remember. That was a daylight lie. He never forgets numbers! So, the last few days, he has to pack breakfast and lunch to school. He did not even want to tell me that he is bringing meals to school. He just told the maid what to pack for him. Cheeky fellow...

Money Matters, Part 2

The money borrowing business rubs to Chloe. This girl is owing money to her brother and the neighbour! She wanted to buy snacks after school and she asked the brother or the neighbour to buy. Since she does not have pocket money, she happily telling her creditors that she will pay them when she is in Year 3, i.e. 2 years from now. And the creditors agree to her terms. The debt is rising every week!

Money Matters

The kids are adjusting well in school and it is a new phase for Lucas. Lucas gets pocket money when he is not bringing food to school. Sometimes, he brings a meal and buy the second meal (breakfast or lunch) in school.  Sometimes, be brings both meals and don't get any pocket money.
After a few weeks, there are many stories. He borrowed money twice from his friends because he overspent. And on both times, there were to buy drinks. At such young age, he already knows how to borrow money. Then he also told us stories about how they are not being honest. The cashier at times gave too much change but the kids do not bother to return the extra. At times, when the cashier are distracted, the kids pretend they have paid but in actual fact, they have not paid in full. No wonder is school canteen is making a lost. So, the father told him he has to return the extra change he received to the cashier next week. No more cheating. And most of the time, he spent half of his pocket money buying snacks and drinks. Told him numerous time not to but he always has excuses. He bought 100 plus once and buy another brand of isotonic the next day. When I told him he broke his promise, he said I did not tell him other isotonic brands are banned too! Once, he spent his whole pocket money buying ice-cream for lunch! First taste of freedom deciding how to spend money and this is the outcome.


Chloe is another uncontrollable shoppeholic. When we go out, without fail, she will ask to buy one thing from each shop. The rule is they get to buy one thing when we go shopping and this girl is pushing it to the limit asking to buy one thing from each shop. I have to say no all the time and it can get very frustrating. Then, when we get home, she will ask "when we go next, can you buy it?". She does not give up easily.

More Money

Lucas is into his money mood again. He needed another 50 dollars to round up his collection. So, today he came to me and asked:

Lucas: Can you give me 50 dollars?
Me: NO!
Lucas: Why?
Me: You have to work to earn it.
Lucas: What can I do?
Me: If you wash my car, I give you 5 dollars. If you sweep the dried leaves from the garden, I'll give you 5 dollars.
Lucas: What can I do that is not a job?
Me: If you sleep in your own room for a week, I'll give you 5 dollars.
Lucas: If I clean the whole house, how much will you give me?
Me: 10 dollars.
Lucas: That's not fair. I have to work 16 hours to get 10 dollars!


Another conversation while I was drying his hair,

Me: Lucas, let's put the money from your wallet in the bank.
Lucas: No.
Me: Why? You can get interest if you put the money in the bank.
Lucas: What is interest?
Me: The bank will give you extra money for keeping the money in the bank.
Lucas: I know, if I put 1000, the bank will give me 5 dollars a year.
Me: That's right. If you put for 10 years, you will get 50 dollars.
Lucas: No, that would be so boring. I can't see my money for a long time.

What can I make up of him and money??