Guac and queso if you make over $450k

[Anonymous]

I make about 1/4 of what you make, so maybe I'm missing something.

But I like to think that if I were rich like you, I'd be able to prioritize the following when feeding my kids: nutrition and enjoyment.

Guac is one of the healthiest things at Chipotle, so of course they can have guac. The idea that you'd sacrifice nutrients out of cheapness when clearly have enough money is bizarre.

Queso makes it taste better. That's a reason to order it. If you have two kids and they each only want some queso, then splitting one queso makes sense. But if you are arguing that your kid should order full queso instead of light queso because full queso is a better "deal", then I can't understand that. Light queso is generally, unless you have a kid who needs more calories, the healthier choice. So, telling your kid "I'll spend X amount for something that's less good for you, but I won't spend the same amount for something that's better for you, and that you'd enjoy". That's insanity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So we've devolved from kids shouldn't want fancy sneakers or iPhones, to kids shouldn't want guac?

OP, what is your end goal here? If you want to control it, you can. It sounds like you've already laid a guilt trip on your DD. You really need to journal on this, and then journal some more, and then some more until you have some clarity.

I used a strawman example, but the larger question I was trying to pose is do you try to instill a sense of want in your kid? Or do you give them everything on a silver platter? My kids know we only buy things on sale and that we buy what we need, not every luxury we feel like. We drive older cars and us our phones into the ground. My DS wanted a pair of resale Nikes that were $300. I told he he'd need to get a job and buy them with his own money, even though we can afford it. That motivated him.

+1 advice

You just sound incredibly cheap if the queso/guac example is real. There is a huge difference between food you are already eating out and $300 sneakers.

[Anonymous]

We never get extras like that, but we make less than 150k. I feel like if we made over 450k, we'd splurge more often. But I do agree with making sure kids understand that extras cost more. A lot of kids don't get that at all because their parents have never explained it, and never put ANY limits on what they get based on cost. You can tell this in the behavior of a lot of kids.

[Anonymous]

PP who grew up in a family that didn't allow extras - I agree with the other posters who mention this isn't just about being able to afford it - it's teaching kids to make decisions about what to spend on.

So, for example- it's one extra - quac, queso, or a drink.

And while I think financial advice along the lines of "make coffee at home so you can afford a downpayment" is stupid - there is something to be said about modeling delayed gratification and decision making.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I make about 1/4 of what you make, so maybe I'm missing something.

But I like to think that if I were rich like you, I'd be able to prioritize the following when feeding my kids: nutrition and enjoyment.

Guac is one of the healthiest things at Chipotle, so of course they can have guac. The idea that you'd sacrifice nutrients out of cheapness when clearly have enough money is bizarre.

Queso makes it taste better. That's a reason to order it. If you have two kids and they each only want some queso, then splitting one queso makes sense. But if you are arguing that your kid should order full queso instead of light queso because full queso is a better "deal", then I can't understand that. Light queso is generally, unless you have a kid who needs more calories, the healthier choice. So, telling your kid "I'll spend X amount for something that's less good for you, but I won't spend the same amount for something that's better for you, and that you'd enjoy". That's insanity.

Agree with this. There’s something distorted about not spending an extra $2 on a meal for your kids at that income level. It’s food, not branded sneakers or an expensive coat or the newest electronics. It’s just a weird way to demonstrate frugality.

Are there other ways you model this for your kids, op?

[Anonymous]

OP there's a teaching opportunity here.
Use the toppings conversation to start an ongoing conversation on ordering etiquette when you are eating with friends, other families. For example, when others invite you, don't order the most expensive thing on the menu. Don't add on lots of extras. See what the hosts are having.
If hosts invite you for, say, pizza, don't ask for calzones or appetizers unless offered,
That sort of thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP who grew up in a family that didn't allow extras - I agree with the other posters who mention this isn't just about being able to afford it - it's teaching kids to make decisions about what to spend on.

So, for example- it's one extra - quac, queso, or a drink.

And while I think financial advice along the lines of "make coffee at home so you can afford a downpayment" is stupid - there is something to be said about modeling delayed gratification and decision making.

Yes! It had been one extra for years - the guac. I guess the queso add on is what surprised me. I will say that last year I got Starbucks every workday at $6 each. That is $1600 at the end of the year. I've cut back significantly in 2026.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have no idea what your yearly expenses are to your 450K income. At 450K you probably can easily afford the extras at Chipotle. But I also think, as the PP stated, that it's good for kids to learn that they don't get everything. This leads to entitlement, and then surprise when they get in the real world and don't get everything they want.

As a thought experiment, I wonder what would happen if you gave them a choice: you can get the quac or I'll give you the money to save?

She just wanted to brag that she makes more than 85% of Americans. And like most people I’ve never even thought of of not getting the children the food and condiments they wanted even when in my 20s with a low income.

[Anonymous]

The best part of making this income is not having to worry about the guac and queso charges! Life is too short to worry about this kind of thing when you don’t need to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This may be a silly question, but I found out that my dh lets my kids get queso and guac in their chipotle bowls. My son has the nerve to order light queso. My daughter said she didn't realize it cost extra. Do you let your kids get all the extras all the time? I feel like it's wasteful and they need to learn they can't get everything that they want all the time. I did the ordering today and ordered them one queso to share. I know it's a small expense but all the small expenses add up.

No, but we don’t make that much. Teach your kids.

[Anonymous]

We dont eat out often, but when we do the kids can get what they want

Im okay with them learning to budget for their luxuries

[Anonymous]

We make way more than that and I've always side-eyed my husband for getting both, lol. But I also don't say anything, because I'm not trying to control him.

My kids don't like either, so that's a non-issue, but we do try to limit the "extras" just as a matter of not overdoing it, and keeping some things special. So choose 1 extra, or maybe that thing that costs extra is a special treat. One time one of my kids was super hungry and ordered steak and chicken on a salad at chop't. I wasn't involved in the order, but that would have been an example where I would have encouraged her to pick one.

I know we can afford it, but I don't think we (or my kids) should get everything we want all the time.

[Anonymous]

Any Chipotle is too expensive for some of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not only do I let them do that, but I let them get a Mexican Coke. AHHH THE HOROR!

Mexican Coke is the best.

[Anonymous]

I mean, that's too many calories unless the kids are very active.

But in terms of money... what? I'd rather go out less and get exactly what I want when I do, regardless of budget.