'An American Girl' is an American story -- a timely one

re: 'An American Girl' is an American story -- a timely one

DollyGal — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:39:05 GMT

I wanted an American Girl in the late 80's when I was about 8. My parents refused to buy such an expensive doll but told me I could save up and purchase one myself. My allowance was $1.00/week. However, my parents had a rule that 1/2 of all the money I earned or received had to go into a savings account for college. I did extra jobs and chores for neighbors (chores at home didn't earn me money since you do chores for your family because you are part of the family). As I got older I began to babysit (around 11). Finally when I was 13 I had saved enough money and purchased my American Girl Doll Molly in 1994. I continued playing with her (and collecting for her which got easier as I was more employable) until I left for college. Today as an adult I still cherish both Molly and the lessons I learned in saving for her. I have never in my life carried a credit card balance. The only loans I have ever had were school and car (and the car one was paid off in 6 months). I learned much from that delayed gratification that has aided me in so many arias of life. I am so thankful to my parents for teaching me that valuable lesson.

re: 'An American Girl' is an American story -- a timely one

somebody's momma — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:53:14 GMT

I would rather spend $90 on a toy as a special gift that I KNOW my 10 year old daughter will love as opposed to buying several/many cheaper items that she doesn't really want. It makes great buying sense. Several times my daughter has saved her birthday or Christmas money to buy herself a doll. To put it in perspective- If I wanted to buy a new game system and games I might drop a small fortune on a "toy" that will be OBSOLETE in 20 years. For much less I could buy an American Girl doll and in 20 years it would still be valuable, even in less-than-pristine condition. Better still is the amount of interactive imaginative play that occurs while also fostering a love of reading. My daughter understands more of the Depression, the Civil War, WWII, of Colonial Times because of the American Girl books and dolls. These dolls are built for today and will last into the future. When my daughter feels that she is too old for dolls, I will probably buy them from her so that one day in the future she will have them for her children.

Smart spending? You bet. For today. For tomorrow.

re: 'An American Girl' is an American story -- a timely one

Doll Clothes Gal — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:19:54 GMT

I think the AG dolls are not only good to play with but they provide some good historical education. Also they have great books on helping girls cope with growing up.

re: 'An American Girl' is an American story -- a timely one

(proud) mama — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:35:33 GMT

Thanks Donna for your kind words,

Here is a another interesting twist to my daughter's American Girl story-

I forgot to add that my daughter had a short-term job (3 days) helping with the open call auditions for the 'Kit Kittredge" movie that were held a year ago at the American Girl store in Chicago. She was a college student in Chicago at the time, and they paid her well, and liked her work ethic so much that she was invited to makie the phone calls to the girls who were being called back, then allowed to help herself from the "spare DVD" collection at the agency! (And no, she was not tempted to whip out her credit card at the AG store- college students cannot afford impulse buys, as you well know!)

re: 'An American Girl' is an American story -- a timely one

Donna Freedman — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:25:11 GMT

Mama: Good for you for standing firm! Other parents are entitled to their opinions, but it's up to you to reflect your personal values to your children. From what you say, it's helped her learn to be a good money manager -- and what a gift THAT is.

Thanks for reading Smart Spending.

Best regards,

Donna Freedman

re: 'An American Girl' is an American story -- a timely one

FruWiki Meg — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:22:42 GMT

I couldn't help but laugh hysterically when I read about her being "aghast" at taking on boarders and raising chickens to survive. A couple days ago myy husband and I moved our chicks out to the coop -- just in time to make room for some additional boarders in the back room (where the chicks had a box).

I wouldn't quite say we're doing it "to survive", but maybe I'm fooling myself. What a world we're living in! On the plus side, I love the extra company and look forward to fresh eggs from humanely treated chickens. It would certainly be different if we had boarders we didn't like, or had to eat the chickens themselves.

re: 'An American Girl' is an American story -- a timely one

mama — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:05:36 GMT

When we moved to our current home, my daughter found she was way behind the girls in her class who all had several American Girl dolls that they had been given for birthdays, and she was eager to catch up and "fit in". But I was concerned that as a 6th grader she would soon outgrow the doll if we just gave her one. So we arranged for the 50/50 deal mentioned above, where we would match what she earned as a babysitter (We paid for her to take the Rd Cross Babysitting Class, so we knew she was ready for it).

We took her to the bank when she had earned all the money, let her purchase her own money order, and we all waited eagerly for the doll to arrive. I know the delayed gratification was a great experience for her- helped make her the planner that she is today.

One of her friends' parents said I was mean to make her wait for something that I could easily put on my credit card and recieve in 3 days- I told her that the anticipation of earning her own money and waiting for the delivery was making the doll more valuable to my daughter!

re: 'An American Girl' is an American story -- a timely one

ALC — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:07:48 GMT

I would rather spend $90.00 on a doll that teaches young girls morals and values than $15.00 on a Bratz doll that looks like she just got off the stripper pole or is about go on the stroll for some clients. Its hard enough raising a little girl today at least with American Girl I know my daughter is learning something from it and this is from a single mom with a limited income.

re: 'An American Girl' is an American story -- a timely one

dustin — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:48:10 GMT

I am one of those adults they could use some delaid gratification. I usually wait to get something but I don't always wait till I have the cash saved up. Take the PS3, it cost $499. Last year it was $599.00. I wiated a little more than a year to get one but i didn't wait till I had the cash saved. I find myself doign this iwth a lot of things. I find soemthing I want and I figur. "i'll wait to get it later" Then I find taht I still wanted it but I haven't saived cash for it. I either take money our of the budget and pay less on the creadit card or I just use the credit card and pay extra on it of over the next month or so.

So I need to learn to save for what I want.

re: 'An American Girl' is an American story -- a timely one

Kelly — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:17:46 GMT

My daughters both have one doll a piece (some of their friends have 2 or more), which they were required to pay for with their own money. I refused to pay for the doll, but they were willing to save and did in fact still want the dolls after they had saved the required amount. They have really enjoyed the dolls and the books that go along with them.