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'That's very dear!': We challenged three children to guess the cost of everyday items

We sat down with Emer and Eoin in Co Dublin, and Michelle in Co Kildare.

ONE OF THE harsh realities that comes with growing up is realising just how much everyday items cost.

From a loaf of bread to a frozen pizza to an iPad, it can be a bit of a surprise for children to learn the price behind items they use regularly.

To mark the launch of An Post Money Mate, a new account for 7-15 year olds whereby kids get independence and parents get control, we asked two sets of parents to challenge their child/children to guess how much money familiar items, big and small, cost. 

In Co Dublin, 11-year-old Emer and her nine-year-old brother Eoin sat down with their mam Gill, while nine-year-old Michelle was put to the test by her mam Nidhi in Co Kildare. 

Screenshot 2021-08-19 at 17.03.55 Emer and Eoin with their mam Gill in Co Dublin. The Journal The Journal

While some guesses were bang on the money and others were quite out of reach, both families agreed that a good approach to managing money is “finding the balance between saving and spending”.

“You want to have some savings,” says Gill, “but you want to also spend on the things you want as well.” This is a balance that nine-year-old Eoin believes he’s already struck: “That’s what I do.” 

So, how did they get on? Watch the video above to find out – and maybe make a guess yourself.

An Post Money Mate is the new account available for children aged 7 years to 15 years and six months. With An Post Money Mate, your children learn how to earn, save and spend money with their own debit Mastercard and app. They get independence, you retain control. Download the brand new An Post Money app to get started.

T&Cs apply. The An Post Money Mate Debit Mastercard is issued by An Post. Mastercard is a registered trademark. A monthly maintenance fee applies. An Post is authorised by the Minister for Finance to provide payment services and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland in the provision of such services.