Paula Poundstone on the value of Mother’s Day
Look, we know it’s a Hallmark fabricated holiday and all that, but the numbers don’t lie — plenty of you are celebrating Mother’s Day this weekend. The National Retail Federation says consumers will spend $20.7 billion on Mother’s Day gifts this year, an average of $169 per mom.
That makes Mother’s Day one of top spending holidays of the year — it’s tied with Valentine’s Day for third place.
We asked you what sort of mother’s day gifts all that money buys, and you said everything from a vacuum to a chainsaw and an iPad.
Terri Mead from Redwood City, Calif., wrote in to say she’s giving her mom a helicopter ride for Mother’s Day. She owns an IT consulting company and is a licensed helicopter pilot. She says the hour-long flight will probably cost around $275, but says for her family, it isn’t really about the money. “We’re not big on exchanging gifts on these holidays that you go and purchase. It’s really all about spending time,” she says.
Paula Poundstone, comedian and mom of three, agrees. Poundstone joined in our studios to discuss the value of Mother’s Day.
She said her family isn’t big on exchanging gifts either, but she did like the idea of taking your mom for a ride to show your appreciation. “None of my kids drive, but if they did, I think they would gladly drag me behind the car,” she joked.
When we asked her to share any motherly advice she’s given her children about finances, she was a bit more serious.
“I’ve encouraged them to work for their money, to save their money and to save the rewards for after the basics are paid,” said Poundstone. “I’ve also encouraged them to wait to start a family until they’ve enjoyed those years when you can sleep on anyone’s couch and it doesn’t matter, because you don’t have to get up and rush home to take care of someone.”
To hear more of Poundstone’s interview, click the audio player above. Plus, follow her on Twitter, like her on Facebook, visit her website, and check out her latest CD.
See financial tips from other moms out there:
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
