National Geographic Kids Not - S0 - Common Cents Book, and What To Do When Your Kid Doesn't Have Enough Spending Money for Disney

I'm not going to lie, the last 14 months have been incredibly expensive for us, and have been so medically difficult, I've had to focus most of my energies on my youngest son and my business that helps pay those medical bills. Yet, one thing is the same: Our love for Disney. After a recent trip to the hospital for a full scoping, he told someone "I can't wait for this summer. We are hoping to go to Disney, and I just know the pixie dust is going to help heal me." 

While that's a tall order for Tinkerbell, the good news is that the (super overpriced) medicines he's having to take ARE helping, and with a fair number of restrictions and some intense savings, Disney will happen. 

But. And there's always a but, right? Little man also didn't set aside as much money as his brother did for our future trip. He sets aside a dollar a week, plus 25% of his birthday and Christmas cash. However, that's not going to go as far for him this year, with the massive price increases Disney has on souvenirs. So...what to do?  

When I was asked to check out this amazing National Geographic book all about money, of course, I said yes! We are already savers, but spending can come a little too easily too. It doesn't matter what your kiddos are, spender, saver, somewhere in the middle, this book is chock full of interesting things that they -- and you, will love! 

​There are the sections you'd expect about saving... and also a section on what credit is....

​But there are also the AMAZING pictures you'd expect from these books, like showing old coins, incredible photographs from all over the world, and lots and lots of money facts! 

Because we now homeschool, this is absolutely going to be part of our financial literacy class. It's perfect for the high schooler and the elementary schooler. And if you've one in the middle, perfect for them too. I can say without a doubt this is the BEST kids money book I've EVER seen. And we have a lot, trust me. 

So let's talk Disney...because I always have promised if I'm going to talk about something else, I'm going to bring Disney in somehow. Back to the problem of my kiddo not have enough saved for what he wanted. (Yet ANOTHER Legacy lightsaber, ANOTHER droid, and a bunch of stuffed animals.) 

He actually solved that problem himself, and I thought it was brilliant! Are you familiar with Daniel Tiger? He sings "Don't think about what you can't do, think about what you can do!" And though we are long past the Daniel Tiger stage, his little songs pop up pretty often in our heads (Way to go with that, PBS!). 

So, what does that mean? Being in 4th grade, my son has been learning fractions and division, and decimals so this was the perfect way to put his math skills to real world use. First, he estimated how much money he'd have at his current savings rate.  Then, he he decided that he wanted to make a challenge for himself. He wanted to get a souvenir at each of the four parks, Disney Springs, and our resort. He divided the amount that he currently has, and then is projected to have, to see just how much that is that he could spend at each place. Done that way, it will help him to realize that he still CAN shop, even if he CAN'T get the huge items he wants, because this time, he didn't save up enough to do that. Since he knows we will be back, he already has one droid and two sabers, he's okay with that. 

But what are some last minute ways he could save even more so he's got spending money? We brainstormed a list. 

• Yard sale some old toys
• Extra chores
• Research studies (Kiddo has made about $80 this year in research studies) 
• Saving more
• Spending less

And while we likely could make the list longer if we worked on it, that's what he came up with. Not too bad!

If you guys are headed to Disney this summer, it's NEVER too late to get saving up. All magic has it's price, dearie, and with inflation, it sure keeps creeping up. Getting creative, making a few sacrifices on spending, or clearing out some unwanted things might help get your kiddo their dream toy. If that's a bit out of reach, then make it a came, and do the challenge! The budget, divided by the number of places, and can you find one souvenir at each place to come in under the budget? Even better if they have leftover to save for next time!  

I know this book, along with all of the great information inside, is going to be a huge help for my kids when it comes to learning about money, and each aspect of it! 


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