Shopping is especially essential to most families because it benefits kids by allowing them to learn about certain things, budgets, nutrition, and food through hands-on experience. They can also learn from the story just by looking, touching, and asking about particular objects. It also introduces kids to basic concepts such as money, price, and change, helping them to fully understand the value and how to determine the difference between needs and wants.
Shopping with your children teaches them to compare prices and values. Also, it can be an excellent time for you to discuss how advertising can affect shopping decisions. English Daily suggests for kids to be smart shoppers, they must plan ahead for what they want to buy and when and where to buy.
Check items left in your house to ensure that the thing you plan to purchase is out of stock, as it also helps to save time and reminds you of your necessities.
Here are a few tips to help you teach your children to become smart shoppers:
Making a shopping list.
A shopping list is essential when doing shopping so you won't have to pick random items from the shelves of stores, as unplanned shopping results in overstocking or stuffing the refrigerator with neither healthy nor needed foods. Parents who make a shopping list serve as good role models for children as it will teach kids to avoid impulsive buying.
Doing some minor research.
Searching for certain things before you shop teaches children that they need information before buying something. You can find out the price on the internet, which would make you realize if it's expensive or not. Doing some research will also find out details regarding the product, which will be helpful.
Keeping the budget in mind.
When you're in the moment of shopping, you will find great things that are unnecessary, but you end up buying. Hence, having a budget helps you to focus on your shopping list. A budget allows children not to buy everything they see but only what's needed, per Raising Children.
Pay for the items in cash.
Parents must try as much as possible not to bring their cards when shopping with kids to teach them not to depend on them and learn to budget. When paying cash, teach your kids to check the change before leaving the counter to make sure the exact amount is received.
Teaching kids not to be afraid to say no.
When you do your shopping, there will be special offers or salespeople; thus, teach your child to say no and not to be afraid to decline whatever offer so they will not get pressured to accede.
Keeping the Receipt.
Parents or adults should also teach kids that it's okay to take something back if some parts of the purchased item are missing or if it's faulty, but they can only do so if they have a receipt; thus, remind them to keep the receipt, per Families for Life.
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