11 February 2011 American Money

Sam has been reading the price tags at our local grocery store and saying things like, “Look, Mom, this costs only 99p!” It was time to introduce her to American currency. Today we did math with nickels and pennies and Sam created an impromptu shop. Note that the plushie otter is a steal at only 8 cents! But also note that there’s a pile of coins for sale, listed at 15 cents. But when I came to “shop” I discovered that she was selling 8 cents for 15 cents. “That’s not really worth it,” I said. “Why would I pay you 15 cents to buy 8 cents? I would end up losing 7 cents.”

Sam shrugged like that was my problem not hers. In introducing American money to her I seem to have awakened her inner American banker.