“I’m just saddened....even stunned...that a 13 year old kid would want $120 sneakers,regardless of who paid for them.”
I’m sad that you believe that you can judge who should want whatever they desire if they are willing to pay for it and the item is legal to own. Do you think your neighbors shouldn’t own that new Escalade they purchased because an older model would have been a wiser choice?
When my son was in middle school he wanted some special basketball shoes that the ad said would help all aspiring players jump higher. He worked to earn the money and bought them. After a few weeks of wear he realized that they weren’t worth what was promised. I’m glad he learned a lesson without a beat down but I was happy that he earned his own money to buy the thing that he wanted and then came to the conclusion that the shoes really weren’t worth it.
Im sorry for that child to have learned such a terrible lesson that some friends aren’t really friends and that it’s wiser to stay away from certain people especially if they are a part of a pack. I hope he heals quickly and that the thugs are brought to justice.
If my neighbors were,for example,in their 50's or 60's,had their house paid off,were almost...or entirely...debt free,had a good income and had planned well for retirement then I'd be OK with that.My personal situation is exactly as I described above and I drive a mid level,late model German car (not a Mercedes or Porsche).Until I reached that point I drove decent...but nothing more than decent...GM models (*not* Caddys).
As I suggested earlier I was taught by my Dad to live below my means...which,except when I was *just* starting out...I've done.My Dad,who was quite successful,drove Oldsmobiles and wore a Timex watch despite being able to afford *much* better.He denied himself...but *not* his family.
That's been my attitude and I think that such an attitude is *particularly* useful before you've reached the financial "stability" and "security" that I described above.And that includes 13 year old kids.
Just sayin'...