Tuesday, November 19, 2013

When is a Loss a Gain?



My granddaughter Izzy lost another tooth yesterday.  She wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy;


   Dear Tooth Fairy, 
   Can you give me a present and a few dollars?
   Love, Izzy

Thinking for a moment after she signed her name, she prudently added

   I love you

The last time Izzy lost a tooth I did a bit of research on what was considered appropriate compensation for little choppers.  I found a relatively new survey had been conducted by Visa.  They asked parents (via telephone) how much cash was extracted by their children (under 13) for a lost tooth.  Apparently, a baby tooth nets 23% more than a year ago and 43% more than 2011.  The survey concluded the reason for the increase is plain old keeping-up-with-the-Joneses;  "parents don't want their kids to be the ones at the playground who received the lowest amount."

According to a consumer psychologist and Golden Gate University professor, "A kid who got a quarter would wonder why her tooth was worth less than the kid who got $5."



The Tooth Fairy doubled Izzy's usual take, leaving an extra dollar in honor of Thanksgivukkah along with a little note on per diems.  

If it becomes a playground scandal, she'll just have to deal with it.

(for the record, I did NOT severely whip out her tooth - the school nurse did it)

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