This Dad Borrowed From His Daughter’s Piggy Bank, And Her Response Sparked A Heated Debate

Reddit user u/JohnDoeforReddit explained that he and his wife recently switched to using mostly cash to stick to a budget. One hectic morning, he realized he had no cash for gas before heading to work.

That’s when he remembered his five-year-old daughter’s piggy bank, filled with birthday and gift money. He admitted he’d borrowed from it in the past without asking, which hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Because of that history, his daughter had become extremely protective of her money. This time, the OP decided to do things properly and actually asked to borrow some.

She clearly didn’t love the idea, but he gently explained that families help each other. He also promised her he would pay the money back as soon as possible.

After some hesitation, the little girl pulled out a $10 bill. Then, in a move no one saw coming, she ripped it clean in half.

She told him she would only give him half the money. The OP calmly explained that money doesn’t really work that way.

He reassured her that taping the bill together would still allow him to use it. Eventually, she handed over the other half.

The OP says he paid her back right away, exactly as promised. Still, his daughter was upset about the whole situation.

His wife, however, felt the issue could have been avoided entirely. She thought he should’ve just used their debit card instead.

The OP disagrees and feels the moment was a learning opportunity. Now he’s wondering if asking his daughter made him the villain.

After some hesitation, the little girl pulled out a $10 bill and ripped it clean in half.

AI-generated image

Here’s the original post by Reddit user u/JohnDoeforReddit.

My wife and I trying to use cash only as much as possible to keep us on a budget. The other day I had to leave for work and had no cash for gas. My 5 year old daughter has a piggy bank with money she’s gotten for birthday gifts and things like that. I’m guilty in the past of borrowing from her without asking, and she has noticed before I’ve been able to put the money back, so I stopped doing that. However, she has gotten very possessive of her money, which I don’t think is good. This time I asked her if I could borrow money for gas. She clearly didn’t want to, but I explained that families help each other out and I would pay her back. She pulled out a $10 bill and told me she would give me half. Before I could stop her, she ripped it in half. I explained that is not how bills work, but that I could tape it together and use the whole thing. She finally gave me the other half. I already have paid her back, but she was upset and my wife thinks I just should have used our debit card for gas and not asked our daughter at all. I think it’s important for our daughter to learn to share and how money works. AITA?

Let’s see how the Reddit community reacted.

bsc31

You’re not doing it right.

greg_pikitus

She’s protective of her money because you keep taking it from her!

Deleted user

Use your debit card like a normal person.

LeaveTheManagerAlone

Your child is better with her money than you are.

skottydoesntkno

YTA.

LordTrollsworth

That’s your daughter’s money!

Deleted user

Stop guilting your child into giving you her money.

00Lisa00

You’re giving your daughter trust issues.

NateGrey

Let kids be kids.

she-tempest

You’re teaching your daughter bad habits.

YarikEnterprise

You’re stealing from your child.

0zpr3y

You clearly need to budget better.

eimajYak

In the end, what started as a quick stopgap for gas money turned into an unexpected lesson in boundaries, trust, and how seriously kids can take their finances. Whether this was a smart teachable moment or an avoidable misstep, one thing’s clear: when it comes to money, even a piggy bank can spark a full-blown family debate.