My DD used to be like that. It takes a little age and maturity and paying their own bills to push them towards the sales/clearance racks. Being poor makes the sales look a lot better. BTW, it is really nice of you to buy him shoes. Lucky GK

Compromise is good. Kids really don't have a sense of what a buck is and what it takes to earn one.

When DD was little we would go shopping and she must have had radar because she would alway pick out the most expensive item on the rack. And that was before she could even read!! Now she is very happy with hand-me-downs and bargain racks. Free and cheap are her favorite words now. PJR will figure it out when he has to fork over the money.

I started my Grandkids young! They knew, from the git-go, that Gramma shops only bargains, unless it's food, shoes or underwear. If they want something expensive, like Nike shoes or a game, they have to save their birthday and Christmas money, or money they have earned, cleaning the pool or other odd jobs - and I match it. They don't even ask!

lol..it was my kids not the grands...we had 3 that did cross-country, and track (dd2 also did v-ball) so mom saved money by using dd2's shoes when they were "worn" and coulnd't be used for practice or games...

thank goodness only 3 of the 9 have special need ($$$) shoes and their parents can afford them! the others love target!

I gave my kids a budget twice a year- spring and fall. DS loved shoes more than DD. He knew that if he spent more on shoes, he had less for other things. Once the money was gone, it was gone. He also likes nice clothes- hasn't worn jeans since grade 9. He really did learn to shop smart, and he also asked for clothing for birthdays and Christmas.

It really is nice of you to buy him shoes.

I know Parker is a very special young man. Perhaps in the future when you go shopping you can just tell him this is what you are willing to spend and if he wants something more expensive, he can come up with the difference.

susan_on: I'll have to remember to tell my adult kids that I wasn't the only one who gave them clothes money twice a year. I had one daughter who would often only end up with ONE outfit...as an adult she often shops at the Goodwill, and thinks nothing of it. My other daughter would come home with bags and bags of clothes with the same amount of money. (I didn't include shoes in that budget as they needed shoes more often.)

Shirley

Teenage boys really have a thing about shoes. I always see them in spotless shoes and they seem to have a lot of them! DS(13) has not become a shoe fanatic (yet). As a matter of fact he hates to 'shoe shop'. His feet are 4E width and it takes forever to find a comfortable pair. I would have caved in for another $10 too! At the beginning of the school year I took him shoe shopping. After 5 stores we finally found a pair that fit. It was $70 but I was exhausted and bought them. I would never spend that much on sneakers for myself LOL. I guess we are getting our moneys worth-he wears them every day to school. I've offered to take him for another pair so he has something else to wear. He says 'no thanks'. He hates traipsing all over to find something that fits. Wonder how long until he has to have a certain brand/type.

GS's shoes were to the point of literally falling apart.
I bought him several pairs when school started, then generally more after the first of the year. But I helped out with his braces, thinking his mother would see to it that she replace his goes this go round. NOT!

So this morning seeing the shape of these, I went ahead and bought shoes. During the summer he wears flip flops, sandals, as he at the lakehouse a lot and fishing.

It wasn't a luxury item, it was a necessity.

When school starts, I have to set my limits as that when I do clothes and shoes for him for the upcoming school year.

I generally buy two pairs at a time, to alternate days of wearing.

He by no means keeps them spotless.

Glenda-

You are such a neat lady. I wish you were my grandmother!

Ugh! I hate that! Grandparents are supposed to be able to spoil their grandkids with fun stuff, not provide basic necessities like shoes.

I think my sister used to send her kids on vacation with my parents on purpose with the oldest shoes and clothes they had. No way my mother would let them go around looking like that. New wardrobes and new shoes etc. were the first stop of the trip.

I know that it is hard to afford things. But lately I have been seeing a lot of this. Kids don't have what they need because it is "expensive", but the parents have brand new cars, a huge mortgage on a gianormous house, expensive sunglasses, manis and pedis, expensive hair, lululemon yoga wear as daywear, and walk around carrying a gallon size premium coffee. And don't even get me started if they smoke and drink.

You are a wonderful grandmother, Glenda!

Dances.

I saw this the other day and chuckled:

I saw it...
I liked it...
I told Grandma...
I got it!

LOL!

It is wonderful what you all do for your DGS - and that he does appreciate it so much.

Shoes are just CRAZY! I am forever buying someone here new shoes.

Check out EastBay and got to the OUTLET tab - you can get some really great deals there. I have ordered from them for a long time. As long as you are sure on the size, it is nice to order and save $$$.

Be warned - once you order, you will get a catalog about 3 times a week! LOL Not quite that often, but they do send quite a few out.

Great place to pick up shoes for sports - if you are shopping for a certain season - don't wait until right before that season starts though, or they won't have as much left.

I buy track spikes, running shoes, baseball shoes, football shoes, volleyball shoes, shoes just because they are cute.... and that doesn't even begin to cover the work boots and riding boots.. LOL! Gaaaa...

Here is a link that might be useful: Eastbay Outlet

Well, do spoil GS with other things: cruises, his own fishing boat.

But I so hate when he goes around in shoes that should be in the garbage instead of the feet.

LOL, he was so proud of them, he posted a picture of his new new shoes on Facebook :o)

Why does this remind me of the dangers of "Great Expectations"? (Probably because we are just getting around to watching the recording from Masterpiece Theater.)

That was nice of you, Glenda. I feel that decent shoes are so important to prevent problems in mid-to later life.

Glenda, you're so sweet! You are right--who wants their kids/grands going around in falling apart shoes. Boys are especially hard on them.

I'm surprised boys are caring so much about what they're wearing. Has this always been true? I never had a boy and thought it would be so much easier because I figured they weren't as picky. Guess I need enlightened!

Brings a flashback to my DS. He never cared what he had on as far as brand names went with t shirts and jeans. Jeans were K-Mart and t-shirts were swag. As long as it was black it was fine. But since the 7th grade shoes were an entirely different matter. It started with Air Jordans. His only Junior High fight was because someone stepped on them intentionally., The other thing he liked were Oakley sunglasses but he would trade and barter his skills for those.

Now he is a fashion guy. His holey jeans are super high end and he does love his cashmere etc. One time we were out and he looked like just any normal dressed young man to me. Black t and worn jeans. We were at a Gallagher show and invited to come on stage. DD and I went but he refused on the grounds he was wearing Versace. LOL

Glenda, your grandson is a lucky guy.

My boys don't care so much about fashion. My oldest ds does have his own style. I've found that if I buy the trendier brands on style, they are often the same price as or even less than Target and Wal-Mart. DS#1's shoes tend to be a bit pricer because he is now wearing men's shoes. He needs shoes that fit right and he likes things that aren't flashy. Some shoes simply don't work. I ended up paying $85 for the last pair of shoes. He was concerned that that was too much money.

Good for you Glenda. You're very sensible.