Learning the hard way

Sunday, 1:02 pm

By Kate

Oct

01

2006

On Friday the lad called with a plea for more money. Could he have an advance on his October allowance? It was almost October anyway and he really needed some cash. He and his step aunt were going to the grocery store to pick up a few supplies and he was just out of cash.

Yes, I said, I can put some more in your account for you, but please do remember that we agreed to a certain amount each month and if you spend it now, that’s it for October and October is a long month. Remember that Halloween is at the end of the month and I’m sure you’ll want some reserve cash for that.

Not a problem, he said.

So, off he went to the store with his aunt and managed to unload $89.

“What in heaven’s name did you buy?” I asked. “You’re on a meal plan. Don’t you use it?”

Well, he needed some snacks and cereal and gushers and other odds and ends. It just added up to a lot real fast.

And this is going to be a problem. He spent more this weekend. Now, he has a grand total of $6.23 left for the month. Does anyone want to guess whether I’ll be getting another frantic phone call in the next week or two?

And that’s the hard part for me. I *will* say no. One learns to live within one’s means and now is a really good time to start learning. Introducing the concept of budgeting.

Or, he could hit his dad up for some cash and try to explain why he’s out already. I have a feeling he won’t dare try that.

I feel bad for him, but I really am not a bottomless well and, by familial association, neither is he. Time to learn that, I guess. The hard way. But, better now than later in life. It’s kind of unpleasant being the one to enforce the learning experience, though.