How long until they can afford it?

Why a date works better than “keep saving”

For a child, “a few months” can feel like for ever. A particular date, and a bar that moves each week, turns waiting into something they can see. Try these:

• Pick a goal they chose themselves. They’ll work harder for it than for anything you’d have chosen.
• Keep the first goal close. Four to six weeks is plenty for a first try. The feeling of reaching it is what you’re after.
• Let them see the trade-off, then let them choose. If they buy the treat anyway, that’s still a lesson learned, and a cheap one.

Wondering how much to give each week? See UK pocket money averages by age. For a story about the same choice, try The Sweet Shop at the End of the Hill.