Answer: because it's not her money

She is old enough to get a job and pay for her own expensive stuff. She is also old enough to understand the family budget and how far it has to stretch.

They always have to ask in case we have a moment of weakness and give in. They get it but still think we somehow have unlimited funds. I pay my bills on line and I showed my 14 year old the list and the amounts and boy did his eyes get big. He still asks but less often and when i tell him I have no money left, he stops bugging me (for a while at least)

Oh, one other thing. When he wants the expensive label stuff, I say you can get one item at that price, or 3 of the less expensive ones. He usually picks the 3.

My son wanted name brand clothes to start school. We got a few things at Ross's but the rest we got on Ebay. I was glad he was practical and was willing to wear some gently worn clothes.

I talk about my budget and our bills openly with my son who is 14. After a big trip this summer, he brought up that we should stay home for a year or so while we get some bills paid off. I thought that was really sweet.

Ah Lexisgirl, that is really sweet. It doesn't happen often in our home but my boys can be conscientious about money at times. A couple of years ago we were broke and barely making monthly bills. My youngest, 11 at the time realized that if we kept the heat on low our bill is much less expensive. He would turn it down to 68 at first, then 64, it was getting cool, then 62, we adjusted. One morning I woke up and it was set on 58. I told him we weren't that broke and we can keep it at 64. It was funny but he was genuinely trying to help us. most of the time him and his older brother are trying to get 'stuff' from us. We try to compromise, if it is something they need and we can afford we will get it. If it is something they want, they can either pay for it or we'll split the cost or they can do chores to earn it.