When Mom's Not Paying, Cost Is a Deal-Breaker

Krista Klemens of Round Hill gave her daughter Rebecca, 14, a budget of $50 for the day. But once at the mall, the two quickly broke through that ceiling. Rebecca and her sister, Elizabeth, 17, together spent about $300.

Sneha Rao brought her parents along to pay. They give her $100 for every A on her report card -- but only if she gets straight A's; it's an all-or-nothing deal. (The 14-year-old from Silver Spring has had a perfect record since middle school.) But she's saving that money for college.

Aliya Rehman, 14, of Potomac Falls tag-teamed with her mom, who put cute clothes on hold for Aliya as they shopped independently. They met up in the food court, Aliya liberally poaching from her mom's lunch of chicken kabobs and rice. Rehman said she tries to set limits with her daughter but is open to negotiation. Take the case of the $70 Coach shoes Aliya was wearing. Rehman agreed to buy them only if they split the cost.

"I'm such a sucker," Rehman said. "I can't stick to the rules."

But for some teens, reality has already begun to set in. Kate Bolton, 17, of McLean works part time at Starbucks. She doesn't make much, so when she buys something, "it has to be worth it," she said.

"Those who make their own money look around," Kate said. "When Mom was paying for everything, I didn't pay much attention to price."

Jessica Johnson's first stop was the Apple store to check out the latest iPods.

"You have no money!" scoffed her friend Grace Ellison, 15, of Takoma Park.

"Yes, I do!" shot back the 16-year-old from Silver Spring. "I'll pretend."

But Jessica's money stayed firmly inside her wallet the rest of the day. She did a quick spin through Lucy, which sells yoga gear, and walked out exactly two minutes later. She couldn't believe the $32 price tag on the yoga mats.

"My yoga mat was $9," she said.

The only thing she bought that day was a $3.47 coffee Frappuccino at Starbucks, one of the smallest amounts spent by any student. Only one girl, 15-year-old Sacha Vega of Silver Spring, bought nothing.

But even the high-rollers debated the value of their purchases down to the dollar. Annie Stephens, 15, of Burke rang up the most -- $344.03 in summer clothes. She blew through the clothes at Ruehl but said her favorite part of the store was the back room.

"They always have sales," she said. "That's what I really like about them."

Billie McCain, 16, of Laurel had a tight budget in her quest to find some dressy clothes. After trying on a pile of shirts and sweaters, she emerged with one item: a sleeveless, black cowl neck top.

"It's only $20," she said. "Price is a big thing for me."

At the register, she pulled out a green-and-white striped coin purse and slowly unraveled the bills to pay. The saleswoman started the transaction, and Billie got the surprise that every shopper lives for. The sweater was only $8.91.

Billie asked the saleswoman to repeat the total. A big grin spread across her face.