I rarely write about serious topics. I prefer to ramble about feelings, emotions, reactions and happenings than talk about “what if” scenarios. Add to this the fact that I am not really knowledgeable on such topics, my blog ends up being rant central most often. But today I am writing about “money matters” related to one section of the population in US.

The past few days, I have been around a lot pre-teens or tweens as they like to be called – “I-am-officially-big-now” group of girls – the 7-12 yr old group. I hear a lot of their incessant chatter, their giggles, their jokes and believe me half the time, I am lost and the rest of the time I am rolling my eyes. I feel positively ancient already.

Yesterday, the talk turned towards losing milk teeth and tooth fairy. Growing up, feeding on Enid Blytons and such, the concept of tooth fairy was unique and special. Though I never had the tooth fairy visit me and exchange a small part of myself for some money the concept was unique. My family used to encourage us to dig a small hole and bury the tooth and tease us that someday it will grow into a “tooth tree”. Yes, the first time around I did believe it and religiously watered the buried tooth everyday.

Coming back to yesterday’s conversation, the talk around the room was how much the tooth fairy left behind. And the numbers started adding up and it left me dumb-struck. Looks like the going rate is between $25-100 per tooth! A mini fortune! I was assuming it will be more in the range of 25 cents to a dollar and the numbers left me gasping.

And yes, I could see the wicked gleam in the eyes of the lil-one with a wobbly tooth! I am sure she was quite vocal about how much the tooth fairy ought to bring her later last evening…