Selling Your Children's Toys

[SilverSabre25]

When it comes time to sell off toys that belong to your kids, or used to belong to them, is the money yours, or theirs?

[Lianne]

For me it would depend on my (the family's) need for the money. Am I trying to scrape enough together to pay the mortgage/rent or buy groceries? Then yes, the money would go for that, to help cover the child's basic needs. If the situation wasn't so serious then I'd likely bank the money on the child's behalf to help pay for clothes or other supplies the child will need in the near future. If my child is trying to save money to purchase something then THEY can sell their things (with my approval first) and keep that money to put towards whatever they are saving for.

[kendallina]

I voted it depends. We're having a yard sale next weekend and we're in the process of buying a house. My daughter is 4 years old. The fact that we need money and she's only 4 years old means that the money goes to us! If she were older, at an age where she could participate more in the process of pricing and selling her toys, then the money could go to her.

[kitkat]

It depends on the toy and if they chose to sell it or if I chose. If I chose to sell it because it doesn't get played with, the I keep all money. If thyr chose to sell it and it is a little toy, then they can keep the money. If it's a larger or more expensive toy, then they get a share of the money.

[Blackcat31]

If I bought the toy, the money belongs to me (family in general).

But if the toy was something my child purchased themselves with their own earned money (my kids were taught early on how to save and spend wisely) then the money belongs to them and they can do whatever they want with that money.

If the toy was a gift for their birthday and/or Christmas, then the money goes into their savings account and they were not allowed to spend it.

[sally]

If I bought the toy, the money belongs to me (family in general).

But if the toy was something my child purchased themselves with their own earned money (my kids were taught early on how to save and spend wisely) then the money belongs to them and they can do whatever they want with that money.

If the toy was a gift for their birthday and/or Christmas, then the money goes into their savings account and they were not allowed to spend it.

This is how I think too

[Play Care]

If I bought the toy, the money belongs to me (family in general).

But if the toy was something my child purchased themselves with their own earned money (my kids were taught early on how to save and spend wisely) then the money belongs to them and they can do whatever they want with that money.

If the toy was a gift for their birthday and/or Christmas, then the money goes into their savings account and they were not allowed to spend it.

[AfterSchoolMom]

I voted "it depends". If we don't NEED the money for something, and they want to buy a new toy and no longer play with the item that they want to sell, I usually let them keep it. For instance, recently my son sold a large collection of Bakugan toys. He hadn't touched them in about two years, and he wanted a new basketball....so he sold the toys to his friend, got an item that he wanted and would get a lot of use out of, and I didn't have to worry about putting them on Craigslist. Win win!

Mine know, though, that they can't just sell or give away their toys willy-nilly. They must ask my permission first.

[Brooksie]

If I bought the toy, the money belongs to me (family in general).

But if the toy was something my child purchased themselves with their own earned money (my kids were taught early on how to save and spend wisely) then the money belongs to them and they can do whatever they want with that money.

If the toy was a gift for their birthday and/or Christmas, then the money goes into their savings account and they were not allowed to spend it.

[SilverSabre25]

Ah, you all make it more complicated!

I'm selling the stuff because I'm purging crap from the house, not for any other reason. Kids are 2 and 5.75. The toys are a combination of stuff given for birthdays and stuff we bought.

[mema]

I voted depends. Lately when selling stuff, I've been keeping the money to help pay for their activities since dc has been a little slow. I guess, technically then, they are getting the money. Normally if it's clothes, I keep it to put towards their next size. Toys I bought, I usually keep the money. Toys they bought or received as gifts, they get 50% to spend, 50% to save.

[Familycare71]

Ah, you all make it more complicated!

I'm selling the stuff because I'm purging crap from the house, not for any other reason. Kids are 2 and 5.75. The toys are a combination of stuff given for birthdays and stuff we bought.

When we do garage sales or purge my kids keep their money- it helps motivate them .
However I have been donating almost anything we get rid of lately- it teaches them to give back and (shhhh) I get $ off my taxes

[mamac]

If I bought the toy, the money belongs to me (family in general).

But if the toy was something my child purchased themselves with their own earned money (my kids were taught early on how to save and spend wisely) then the money belongs to them and they can do whatever they want with that money.

If the toy was a gift for their birthday and/or Christmas, then the money goes into their savings account and they were not allowed to spend it.

[SilverSabre25]

assuming i actually get any money for the stuff (i'm just selling it at once upon a child) I think I'll save it towards either the bed I want to buy DD for her birthday (the cool loft bed from ikea) or towards the kids' winter wardrobes.

Thanks guys! I so rarely get rid of toys...this is a big step for me, .

[spud912]

Furniture from their room? Mine.

Toys from their room? Theirs 100% IMO. When I give something to someone, it is theirs in every sense of the word I think. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I do sometimes re-designate the prophets to something else for them. For example, if they/I sell something of theirs for $5, then I will use that money towards a reward I promised for that child.

Who am I kidding...I think after bills and grocery staples, 99% of our spending goes to our daughters anyway . I can't help it! I feel incredibly guilty buying anything for myself. I can't tell you how many times I force myself to go to the store to buy clothing for myself because mine are covered in stains and holey, only to walk out with a bag of stuff for them and nothing for me .