$$ Happy Birthday $$

“I want a birthday party with ALL my friends!” announces my soon-to-be 17-year old.

“Aren’t you getting a little too old for those BIG birthday parties?” I ask.

Obviously, she’s not! This year she wants an old-fashion, kid-like party to celebrate. So, I start to go into my planning mode…and then stop short. I realize I need a budget for the birthday bash and this can be another financial lesson. (Insert teenage eye-rolling here.)

“OK, but you have to be in charge of the party planning and work within a budget.” I tell her.

She starts making her guest list, which spills over onto a second page. Then she brainstorms the party theme and activities before she starts researching where to have the party.

“Ouch!” she looks at the per person cost. “That’s $26.95 per person for the activities and it doesn’t include pizza or cake!”

“How many friends are on your list?”

“Only 35!” she says. “I can’t cut anyone off the list!”

“Well, you have a trade off to make. Invite less friends or find another party idea.”

This budget story doesn’t have an end (yet) since she is still in the mist of the planning.  However, you can see that having your teen, or even a younger child, involved in the planning helps them to understand the costs and the trade offs.  Birthdays are fun and should be celebrated but it’s easy to get carried away with the planning which can cause some money stress. Decide on a budget and stick to it. (You can insert some more teenage eye-rolling here!)

Here are some good websites for party ideas:

Evite

Real Simple

Celebrations 

Happy Birthday to my daughter, may all your dreams come true!