my boys really want new bikes. I would love for them to have new bikes also. But it's not in our budget. How do I deal with a situation like this. Wait till next month and this in to my expected expenses? Let's say I can't afford them (which may or may not be true). Just say no? #parenting

I occasionally explain to my kids that we have to pick what to spend our money on each month, and that this month our extra money went towards X, so we will wait on Y. I feel like they shouldn’t feel deprived of basic needs, but that they should also recognize the reality of limited resources and learn how I handle it through modeling

If you can't afford them then just say no. If you can afford them then maybe borrow from next months budget? Or make a longer term budget for big ticket items like this and home / auto repairs? I can't imagine not fixing my leaky sink because its not in my budget. But if they have working bikes at the moment, then maybe even if you can afford it, say no 🙂 .

how old are they ? if old enough to earn or contribute towards it then it can become a family project. i think explaining that its not a need (they have what to get to school on) but a want, lets think together how to get the money for, ie you can spare X amount and they get the rest. you dont get cleaning help for X months and they do it instead.. i think its a really good opportunity to do some money chinuch. lehefech, i think better to be creative together to problem solve - better than a no, we cant afford it. of course, if the problem solving = no, then at least you tried and they see that you want to help them. ps i would add that my opinion is not to involve children in your finances too much, ie showing them your budget plan etc (maybe when theyre much older and mature) because then they start wanting to get involved and tell you where you should and shouldnt be spending which is not really their place

They are 9 and 11

It's not an easy question but at the end of the day it's just how to tell your children no in the most sensitive and productive manner

Great advice here! Worth figuring out why they want new ones, and maybe addressing that. If the old ones dont fit them, I'd think about getting replacements (even used.) If it's the way it looks, can you get a can of spray paint and repaint it together? Etc

I post messages asking if anyone is giving away/has an extra...tape deck/keyboard/bike/. Have had a lot of siyata dishmaya. Someone had an extra tape player (disk/whatever), someone had an extra keyboard when I needed a new one. If they have working safe bikes, then they don't "need " new ones. Then, "should we not go on vacation/out to eat/buy that other thing you want and save money for new bikes bc it is very important to you?"

Giving the kids an allowance makes them prioritize what they want. It also lets you make that a fixed budget item.