A new survey has revealed that the average American child under the age of 10 is handed $1,360 per year by their parents, either as allowance, rewards for good behavior or achievements and bribes to ‘be good’.
A leading coupon brand has revealed that the average child under the age of 10 in the US receives $1,360 per year, or the equivalent of $113 per month, from their parents in the form of allowance, bribes to get them to behave better and rewards for good behavior or achievements.
The survey, conducted by www.vouchercloud.net, was part of the company’s wider research into money management amongst young people, to investigate at what age citizens become financially astute and independent. 2,174 respondents took part in the survey, all of whom had children who were between the ages of five and ten years old at the time of the study.
The respondents were initially asked “Do you give your child money regularly?” to which the majority, 71%, confirmed that they did. The survey then asked the parents to state what they tended to give their children money for and asked them to select all relevant answers from a list, which revealed the following top five answers:
Monthly allowance – 77%
Rewards for good behavior/achievements – 61%
Bribes to make them behave/be good – 55%
Special occasions (birthday, Christmas) – 46%
In exchange for chores – 44%
The survey then sought to establish how much money children under the age of 10 receive from their parents each month, for whatever reason, which revealed an average answer of $113.00 per month; or $1,360 per year.
All relevant respondents were asked “How do you feel about the amount of money that you give to your children?” to which two thirds, 65%, stated that they would rather give their child less money. These parents were then asked why they gave their child more money than they would like to, to which the majority (45%) stated that they feel ‘in competition with other parents’. A quarter (24%) confirmed that they ‘don’t want to disappoint’ their child, while a further 17% stated that their child ‘likes expensive things and needs enough to buy them’.
“It’s difficult to dictate to a parent how much money they should or shouldn’t give to their children. The Mom and Dad know best but, to an outsider, $1,360 seems an awful lot of money for a kid that’s not even in the double digits yet! Children might want expensive things, but they also need to learn that they have to earn them and be patient!”
“A lot of the time, when parents spend substantial sums of money on the children, it suggests they feel guilty or are trying to make up for something, perhaps a busy work schedule or they have spent less hours in the home than they’d like. Money really isn’t the most important thing and, although of course you don’t want your children to fall behind the other kids in the schoolyard, quality time is the most important thing. If you’re playing with them, nine times out of ten they won’t care if they are playing with an iPad or a yo-yo.”
There’s certainly something to be said for Christmas in July. After all, even though the chill of winter may be the furthest thing from our minds as we grill and watch the fireworks this weekend, the holiday season is only a few months away, and it’s never too early to get ready! That’s certainly the attitude Disney had toward things when they recently showcased their upcoming products for the 2014 holiday season. It’s set to be quite the exciting time this year for boys, girls, and even moms and dads, with toys, games, electronics and apparel based on some of Disney’s hottest properties.
For boys, superheroes are a perennial classic, and this year looks to be no different, with a big push toward the sure-blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy (due in theaters this August). The film’s minuscule hero Rocket Raccoon is getting a particular dose of star treatment, with action figures, plush, and more bearing the character’s image (and phrases voiced by none other than Bradley Cooper, who lends his acting charm to the character in the movie as well!) The Avengers are also a big focus this year, with a holiday children’s book featuring narration by Marvel legend Stan Lee, and of course the upcoming Disney Infinity 2.0! Infinity 2.0, a follow-up to last year’s wildly successful Disney Infinity, will center around Marvel heroes like the Avengers, Spider-Man, and more, and is ready to hit shelves this September.
Girls this year will be more than ready to “Let it Go” with the stars of Disney’s Frozen, who will feature on a number of playsets, books, and costumes inspired by the instant classic. The film’s booming fanbase has only continued to grow since the film’s debut last winter, and Frozen‘s spike in popularity has in turn led to the two princess leads, Anna and Elsa, (and their lovable snowman pal Olaf) appearing anywhere and everywhere you could imagine. Coming this winter, be sure to keep an eye out for new Animator’s Collection dolls of Anna and Elsa, an Olaf snow cone maker, and more!
Finally, for the teens and adults in your life, Disney’s got plenty to offer as well, with lines of headphones, speakers, collectible items, and apparel featuring such licenses as Marvel and Star Wars, and of course the classic Disney characters and princesses. Standouts include a partnership with Vans to produce Stormtrooper-based shoes, bags, and apparel, a partnership with Under Armour to create Marvel-themed cleats, workout shirts, and more, and (going back to Star Wars), headphones based around the Rebels and Empire, and a portable Death Star speaker.
We’ve certainly got a great holiday season ahead of us from Disney, and I don’t know about you, but I for one am glad that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clajnwqBNr4] The above video shows off the newly-announced Spider-Man Play Set, coming to Disney Infinity 2.0 this fall! The Spider-Man Play Set will feature a storyline which follows the Green Goblin as he tries to destroy S.H.I.E.L.D. once and for all. After capturing Venom to extract and clone symbiotes from him, he hires Mysterio to be his second in command and wreak havoc on the Marvel universe. Players will fight the spreading symbiotes and face Mysterio and Green Goblin in in the sewers, labs and skies above Manhattan. Key highlights for the Spider-Man Play Set include:
Play Set: Playable characters include Spider-Man, Nick Fury, Iron Fist, Nova and Venom with additional appearances by White Tiger, Black Cat and Luke Cage. Players will be tasked to destroy the cloned symbiotes and advance to fight Mysterio.
Toy Box: Spider-Man, Nick Fury, Iron Fist, Nova and Venom will be playable in the all-new Toy Box 2.0 mode of the game, along with all characters previously released for Disney Infinity. Players will be able to use these characters, plus hundreds of Marvel and Disney-themed items, locations, props and vehicles, to create new adventures in customized worlds. Once players complete the Spider-Man Play Set, the S.H.I.E.L.D. Hover Car, S.H.I.E.L.D. Sky Cycle, Daily Bugle Building and more will be unlocked and can be used in Toy Box.
The Spider-Man Play Set will be available in retail stores this fall. Additional Play Sets and characters will be announced in the coming months.
Every year rolls around the thousands turn out to watch the fireworks but there is always the question of how do I get to see the awesome fireworks up close – thats called VIP tickets. It’s always nearly impossible to get VIP tickets to the big show until now… Our friends at the South Street Seaport Museum has a limited number of VIP tickets for sale.
*** UPDATE *** We have just been given a special promo code for 15% off the ticket prices use coupon/promo code: 4July1514.
The Seaport Museum has two option to having an incredible view for the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Celebration… first option is to be on Pier 16 – the second option is take a sail aboard the Pioneer – talk about VIP it includes drinks & hors d’oeuvres – its limited to 40 people – what could be the most romantic way to watch the fireworks!
Plus the Seaport Museum does an amazing job at teaching our kids about the history of Manhattan and how important the waterways & shipping ports were to this city.
More about the South Street Seaport Museum…
South Street Seaport Museum is a non-profit cultural institution preserving and promoting the historic district of South Street Seaport in New York City. Founded on May 22, 1967, the South Street Seaport Museum (SSSM) is dedicated to telling the vital story of the foundation of New York and its link to its great natural harbor.
The museum preserves and interprets the history of New York City as a place where goods, labor and cultures are exchanged through work, commerce, and the interaction of diverse communities. Designated by Congress as America’s National Maritime Museum in 1998, SSSM is located in a 12 square-block historic district on the East River in Lower Manhattan, the site of the original port of New York City.
The Museum is comprised of key historic locations such as Schermerhorn Row, our working trade centers on Water Street, and on the “Street of Ships” at Pier 16. These exhibitions and educational facilities are located in the South Street Seaport in New York City’s largest concentration of restored early nineteenth century commercial buildings.
The Museum houses exhibition galleries, working nineteenth century print shops, a maritime library, a maritime craft center, and the largest privately-owned fleet of historic ships in the country.
Personal security and safety are things everyone values, but they’re often taken for granted. VSN Mobil has introduced the V.ALRT, Personal Emergency Alert Device, a small wearable device that works with a smartphone to send out urgent calls and texts at the touch of a small button, summoning help wherever and whenever someone should need it. The V.ALRT is available for purchase at www.VSNMobil.com and Amazon.com for $59.99.
The V.ALRT is an ergonomically designed device that can be carried discreetly in a pocket or a bag, worn on the wrist with the included band or around the neck as a pendant. Using a multi-axis accelerometer and Bluetooth® SMART (Bluetooth 4.0 LE) technology in association with a software application from VSN Mobil, the V.ALRT initiates calls and text messages from a smartphone. With the push of a button, the V.ALRT connects with the smartphone to send personalized text messages and makes phone calls to three pre-selected contacts. The customizable text message will indicate that help is needed and also provide location information using the GPS feature on the smartphone (when available). The V.ALRT application can also be set to Fall Detect Mode to automatically notify your preselected contacts should a fall be detected.
The V.ALRT provides up to a year of use before needing to replace the battery. The V.ALRT’s companion app is available for both iOS and AndroidTM phones and is fully customizable, yet simple to set up.
Active and Secure – When running, hiking or riding a bike, as with a number of other outdoor activities, holding a smartphone is awkward and can lead to pricey repairs if dropped. Yet, active people who exercise alone want the ability to quickly signal for help if they become injured or feel their personal well being is threatened. The V.ALRT is a “go-to” device that can be carried in a pocket, worn around the neck or wrist, or attached to a keychain. Its fall detection feature can also send an alert in a critical situation.
Connecting Families – With the V.ALRT, children can enjoy their independence while parents maintain their piece of mind. Drop the V.ALRT in a backpack or a pocket, or clip it on a helmet and kids have a hotline to home at the touch of a button. All in an unobtrusive way that won’t make him or her the odd kid out.
Homebound No More – Since the V.ALRT is paired to a smartphone, and not dependent on a landline or other hardware, the V.ALRT can help people with medical conditions stay connected wherever they have their smartphone. In the yard, at the grocery store, and at home as well, if help is needed the V.ALRT will connect with the smartphone to send the programmed notifications when the button is pushed. When a fall has occurred and the button cannot be activated, the V.ALRT fall detection feature generates calls and texts to summon help. Slightly bigger than a quarter, the V.ALRT is discreet and lightweight to wear, and can even be worn in the shower.
Specifications for the V.ALRT button:
Size: 32 mm diameter, 10 mm thick
Weight: 8 grams
Environment: Waterproof (up to 1 meter for 30 minutes)
Battery: Comes with a replaceable CR2032 battery that is commonly available and lasts up to one year depending on use.
Range: Bluetooth 4.0 technology allows for a range of up to 75 feet indoors and up to 300 feet outdoors between the V.ALRT and the smartphone
Accessories: pendant and watch band Specifications for the V.ALRT software application:
The V.ALRT application is available on iTunes for iPhone®4s/IOS 7 or newer releases and in Google Play for AndroidTM 4.3 or newer releases
With Father’s Day on the horizon, let dad kick back and relax with some great TV shows on Netflix! We’ve got ten suggestions for you right here– check out our list below:
1. House of Cards: Three Emmy Award wins including David Fincher (“The Social Network”) for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and nine nominations including Outstanding Drama Series went to this acclaimed political thriller. Lead Actor nominee Kevin Spacey stars as ruthless, cunning Congressman Francis Underwood, who will stop at nothing to conquer the halls of power in Washington D.C. His secret weapon: his gorgeous, ambitious, and equally conniving wife Claire (Lead Actress nominee Robin Wright).
2. The Killing: Seattle homicide detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder are deeply affected by the murders they investigate in this dark, acclaimed crime series.
3. Mad Men: Set in 1960s New York City, this series takes a peek inside an ad agency during an era when the cutthroat business had a glamorous lure.
4. The Walking Dead: In the wake of a zombie apocalypse, survivors hold on to the hope of humanity by banding together to wage a fight for their own survival.
5. Breaking Bad: A high school chemistry teacher dying of cancer teams with a former student to manufacture and sell crystal meth to secure his family’s future.
6. Louie: Louis C.K. plays a fictional version of himself in this series that follows the comedian through the lows of being an awkward single dad in New York.
7. Luther: A dedicated urban detective tries to keep a grip on his personal life while dealing with the psychological factors underlying the crimes he solves.
8. Freaks and Geeks: A group of high school students in 1980 faces various social struggles. Lindsay rebels and hangs out with a crowd of burnouts for starters.
9. Shameless: Unemployed Frank Gallagher — a single father of eight kids — attempts to keep sane, often with a little help from a bottle.
10. White Collar: To avoid jail, an ultra-suave con man signs on to help an FBI agent catch other white-collar thieves but he conceals an ulterior motive.
More about the South Street Seaport Museum…
