When I was a kid, my dad took me shopping with him every week. I remember him teaching me how to bargain hunt and comparison shop, so I would always get the most bang for my buck. Little did I know that the sales fliers and trips from store to store weren’t really elements of a “treasure hunt,” but my dad’s creative way of passing on a life skill that would benefit my entire family for the rest of my life. 
So how do you pass on good shopping skills to the next generation?
Start with a list. Whether you’re shopping for groceries or school clothes, make a list of what you need. Your child doesn’t need to be able to read for this to be a valuable step. You’re showing him that you’re focused on a clear-cut goal.
Compare prices before you leave the house. Look through sales fliers and store websites (even most grocery stores have websites, nowadays). Consider it a treasure hunt. “Look, John, bananas cost $.20 less at Jessi’s than at Cooper’s.” If you’re using printed ads, circle the chosen winners of the price battle for future use at the store.
Break the list down by where you’re going to buy what. Re-list items under store categories for easy reference. This step may take a few extra minutes, but it will make your shopping trip quite a bit faster. You’ll know just what you’re looking for and where to find it.
Start the treasure hunt. Formulate a plan as to where you are going, and hop in the car. If your child feels like the trip is a game, he’ll be focused and less likely to “need” every bouncy ball or lollipop he sees. He’s hunting for the treasures that you’ve outlined. If you have sales fliers, bring them with, so he can match the products to the pictures. Check off the items as you find them…everyone loves checking off a to-do list.
At the end of the shopping trip, thank him for all his help. He’ll feel like a hero and, as an added bonus, have learned an important lesson about shopping smart that will help him provide for your grandchildren someday.
There are so many important things to teach your child as she grows. Parenting isn’t just about the here and now, but helping your child grow into an adult that has the skills to take care of himself and, ultimately, his family. Learning how to shop wisely is a skill that, like many others, is learned by example. Give him the right tools, and he’ll be as grateful for your wisdom as I am for that of my dear old dad’s.
Image Source: flickr.com/photos/portablechurch/445111680
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