A new study by Money SuperMarket, parents of a typical girl spend about $40,000 more than boys over the first 18 years of life.

$40,000? That sounds like a lot.

I have two sons and a daughter and my wife would agree that the boys, ages 10 and 12, are a little "higher maintenance" - especially in the electronics and data department.

If we go one day without hearing about a new app or the video game that everyone is playing, we buy a lottery ticket. It's that rare. My daughter, on the other hand, gets a new book and a pink hoodie and we're good. She's not a materialistic child, and we're thankful for that.

Much like a lot of girls, she would like a pony someday. But since we live in town, that's not going to happen. I just took $11,000 off that $40,000 right there.

The spending peak for girls happens when they enter high school, when they "need"  more clothing, cosmetics and other beauty products. And I suppose a key to Fort Knox to support that fancy cappuccino habit.

But for now, pony-less and armed with Barbies, we're content.

There is one area, in addition to the electronics, where boys are more high-maintenance – allowance money. Parents toss about $5,000 at a son over the course of his childhood, versus a little less than four grand for girls.


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