That's the motto of a kid who gets pocket-change for doing nothing. The kids in our subdivision might not be able to afford a new pair of shoes, but they'll have enough change to get the groceries or grab a cold drink at the local coffee shop. They will have enough money to fill their coffers at the local cafe, and maybe even save some to take the dogs out for a walk. But they won't be able to win the 300 bucks jackpot at the jackpot draw at the casino anytime soon!
I'm not saying that everybody in our group of neighborhood children won't eventually have a reason to get serious about playing a little bit more, or a lot more, just because they can earn more money. But that won't happen overnight. It takes a while to build up a culture where kids are willing to pay a few extra dollars to win some big money. And you have to be patient, or else it will be too late. Not to mention the fact that there are a lot of other children in your group who won't play because they don't know the rules, or they're lazy, or they're too afraid or too addicted to playing on the computer or their cell phones.
So how do you get them interested in playing? Give them choices. Let them play with the money in your pocket instead of with someone else's. They'll appreciate that you're supporting their choice to play, and they'll want to support yours.
I recently gave an example of this to my son. I gave him $300 to buy a hot tub. He took it home that day, and before the hot tub came, he called me and said he wanted to go fishing, but didn't have any money. I told him that he could always use the money for a fish supper at our house. He said that he wasn't too fond of fishing and that he didn't like carrying all his stuff around. I let him take the money.
What I found out is that he used his pocket change to buy some bait and sinkers and spent that night fishing with us. The next morning, he was very excited and said that he felt like a big kid. We all laughed at him and told him that we could have anything we wanted. So he got himself a new bait basket and fisherman lure, and we gave him more pocket change.
In addition to letting him take the money for anything he wants when he goes out, you also should let him take it home with him. You'll be surprised how easy this is. He'll quickly figure out that he can just put it in his pocket and carry it with him. That way, he can go play with his friends, but he'll still have his pocket change. And if he wants to play outside with his friends, well he can do that, but he'll have his pocket change.
If he doesn't want to use it all, or if he gets tired of it, then just give it to him. It's good practice. He'll learn to be a little frugal while pocket changing his change. He'll also learn that he has to have to change in order to have fun.
So what are you waiting for? Get your pocket change ready. Have a blast letting him get whatever he wants whenever he wants. You'll also be a little better off as a result. This kid will change his life and yours too!