Money and friendship

Typical situations and how parents can help:

"My friend has an iPhone and I only have an old phone!"

• Explain: different families have different budgets – and that's OK
• Ask: "What can you do with your phone? Does it work?"
• Offer perspective: "If it's important to you, we can save for it together"

"Everyone buys something at the school kiosk and I have no money!"

• Discuss how to divide up pocket money (plan a budget for the school kiosk)
• Give healthy snacks from home as an alternative

"My friend always borrows money and never pays it back!"

• Rule: only lend money you can bear to lose
• Better: share something together (ice cream, popcorn) instead of lending money

Basic principle: money does NOT determine the worth of a person or a friendship.