Let’s do this together

My first job aged 12 was in a greengrocer’s, which paid me £10 for an eight-hour Saturday shift and all the grapes I could eat.

I thought I was rich and would save my cash to buy clothes and records from Woolworths. The first single I bought was Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive, which probably tells you an awful lot about my go-to dance moves.

I don’t think I knew much about finance but I did know the 80s’ loadsamoney boom didn’t reach my inner-London home and cash was always tight.

I only mention this because on top of cancelling The Dark Lord’s iPhone, I’ve also cut up her pocket money bank card this week.

A recent report out by KickStart Money programme from education charity MyBnk shows that most children in the UK do not know what a wage is, and they have worryingly poor levels of financial understanding.

The findings revealed three out of five 5-11 year olds struggle with basic personal finance terminology, barely a third can delay instant spending gratification and just 19% save money regularly.

Speaking as a parent who was on first-name terms with most of our local Amazon drivers because Jesse was ordering things almost daily, I can completely agree that young people are being ruined by an online ordering frenzy.

I remember my dad telling me that everyone should keep their cash in fivers to make them understand the value of money. Although that does make him sound a bit like Ken Dodd’s old financial adviser.

So I’ve decided to go back to giving Jesse her pocket money in cash which she can save in her old piggy bank. And at least that gives me something to raid when I need emergency taxi money!

Email me at siobhan.mcnally@mirror.co.uk or write to Community Corner, PO Box 791, Winchester SO23 3RP.