Money and Anthropology...Watching Kids and their Spending Habits

Happy New Year to everyone in Women, Money & Cheesecake world!  The gift season is now behind us and I am wondering how everyone did sticking to their plans for spending.  Did you?  I'm happy to report that I personally did this year.  Admittedly, it is a little easier with my kids now teenagers and basically I have given up trying to please them, so they got cash.  There was no margin of error on that!  Now I get to watch how well they spend their money and it is very interesting to see different styles emerging from the same family tree.  One is a saver and very careful regarding anything leaving his pocket.  Another fritters it away on fast food, but it is also a social event.  One looks for the big ticket item and blows it all at once, but is getting something coveted.  Another likes to carry it around in his wallet.  Four kids, four different money views.  Are any of these styles right or wrong?  As a parent it is very tempting to tell your teenagers how to spend their money.  You hate seeing waste or bad decisions.  But at this age, we have to let go and let them learn.  The one who is careful may find he is happy to have saved over time, but there is also the possibility he may miss out on doing something fun and spontaneous.  The fast food spender will soon be broke again, but he is at the age where friends and socializing are everything.  For him, this may be the best use and, although there are healthier ways to eat, there are also much more undesirable places a teen could hang out.  The big ticket girl may end up regretting the purchase when the next big thing comes along, but then again, that is a great lesson in and of itself.  Better to learn with a little bit of money now rather than a lot of money later. Here, a mom may have to add a few targeted reminders of past decisions so this does not become a habit.   As for the one who likes the idea of having money on him but is reluctant to spend, life itself will take care of that, won't it?     Same family genes, very different habits and attitudes about money.  Can you relate with your own family?  I would love to have some comments.  Brona