Tooth Fairy Leaves Average of $3.40 per Tooth, Down 8% from 2013
Did you know there is a National Tooth Fairy Day? A reason to celebrate August 22…
Visa’s annual Tooth Fairy survey shows American children are receiving an average of $3.40 per lost tooth this year, down 8% from last year. For a full set of 20 baby teeth, American kids will be getting a slightly more modest, but still hefty, $68 compared to last year’s $74 take.
The Tooth Fairy’s year-over-year pay out variation creates an opportunity for parents to talk to kids about developing sound money management habits early in life.
Additional findings from the Visa Tooth Fairy survey:
- Fathers reported a far more indulgent Tooth Fairy, saying that the Fairy left 45% more than moms said she did: $4.20 vs. $2.90.
- The Fairy may be giving just what she has in “her” pocket; over 50% of kids will get either $1 or $5.
- 33% of respondents reported that the Tooth Fairy left only a dollar.
- Only 3.6% said that the Tooth Fairy’s pockets were deep and left $20 or more, down from 6% in 2013.
- Kids in Canada are receiving the equivalent of $2.60 in U.S. dollars on average with the exchange rate – the same amount the Tooth Fairy was leaving kids in the U.S. in 2011.
- The Tooth Fairy spoiled kids in the West the most, leaving $3.60. Kids in the South and Northeast will each receive about $3.50. The Tooth Fairy was at her most thrifty in the Midwest, leaving an average of only $3.10.
As part of their award-winning (free!) financial education program, Visa offers a Tooth Fairy Calculator and App. The App is available for iPhones and iPads at the iTunes Store, and the calculator is available at: https://www.facebook.com/ToothFairyCalculator
