American Children Receiving Less Money From Tooth Fairy: Report

It looks like American businesses aren't the only ones hoarding cash these days. According to a survey recently released by Visa, so is the fabled Tooth Fairy.

Last year, children who left teeth under their pillow received an average of $3 per tooth, according to the report. This year, in comparison, that amount plunged to $2.60.

The total number of kids getting swindled by the winged home invader has also drastically increased. This year, 5 in 50 received no compensation for their missing teeth. Compare that to last year, when only 2 in 50 were passed over.

The Tooth Fairy also seems to handing out varying amounts according to region. The further west one goes, the higher the rate of return kids are receiving for their dentures, with Northeast kids getting, on average, $2.10 a tooth, while their West and Midwestern counterparts are receiving $2.80.

Melissa Hourigan of Denver didn't know what to do for her 9-year-old when the Tooth Fairy failed to show, the Denver Post reports. Instead, she and her husband purchased a target card for their daughter "because we felt bad and wanted to do something," Hourigan said.

The below video shows how some parents justify ripping off their kids:

Comments

[KCRoger]

08:37 PM on 08/03/2011

The tooth fairy is a socialist institution - redistributing wealth from hardworking people, and giving it to people who have never even held a job! Earn your own way, freeloaders!

[jachavez]

12:33 PM on 07/30/2011

I guess we should be glad most of us sold our shares in baby teeth before the year 2000.
http://realesttalkblog.blogspot.com

[Fi]

05:37 AM on 07/30/2011

This is shocking news.
I used to get sixpence.

[Keil E]

02:52 PM on 07/29/2011

I wouldn't be too concerned with this drop in compensation. The main reason for the difference in compensation from West to East is primarily due to taxation and also because the Tooth Fairy lives on the West coast. When we need to be really concerned is when the Tooth Fairy starts leaving a service bill under the kids piilows or kids start to loose teeth while they are sleeping.

[EnoughAlready555]

02:36 PM on 07/29/2011

Shh...keep this under cover. I hear the teaparty is scouting around out there, looking for cuts to make.

[Under Fed yet Fed Up]

01:40 PM on 07/29/2011

The tooth fairy was accused of diverting funds to Al Qaida.

[gx5000]

12:39 PM on 07/29/2011

I remember getting a quarter when one penny would get you 8 black beauties !

[Sergeant]

10:55 AM on 07/29/2011

It is a line item in the democratic budget. Money for the tooth fairy.

[Brent Rossen]

07:12 AM on 07/29/2011

The tooth fairy got laid off apparently.

[bgofca]

03:48 AM on 07/29/2011

for her first tooth out, (20+ years ago), we gave our daughter $5. most of her friends had been getting free fairy money for awhile. The other ones all earned just $1. I used to have her put her tooth in an envelope (easy to find under a pillow) and write to the tooth fairy from (her name), i replaced the keepsake for me with an envelope with money and glitter. she loved it. one time I had to work at night and daddy fell asleep and forgot to switch envelopes. The next night, when the fairy finally came, she left a porcelan doll with a toothbrush in one hand and a dime in another. my daughter used to proudly show it to people saying, this is the doll the fairy gave me because she forgot me one night.

[drownrat]

02:18 AM on 07/29/2011

I'm sorry, but I only ever got a quarter! The most money I made off the "tooth-fairy" was when I lost 8 teeth in one month. This is just stupid.

[bgofca]

02:01 AM on 07/29/2011

when my daughter lost her first tooth (over 20 yrs ago) she was already 7 and most of her friends had been getting free money for awhile, so she got $5 for the first tooth. I had her put it in an envelope and write in her own writing, to the tooth fairy from lacey. Then I had that keepsake. I would put the money in an envelope along with some glitter which made it seem more magical. The rest of the time she got $1 for each tooth. However, since I worked nights shift, one time her dad was supposed to do the tooth/money switch and he fell asleep and forgot. The next morning she was so sad. We tole her the tooth fairy was probably too busy and to put it under her pillow again. The next day there was a porcelan doll on her dresser with a toothbrush in one had and a dime in the other.

[Denise Ellis Hooks]

12:49 AM on 07/29/2011

I'm 52 and got a quarter or some change . My children got a dollar in the 90's, but $3? That's too much. It's supposed to just be a fun little thing...what's next gold bars? !

[Emily Clausen Benson]

12:47 AM on 07/29/2011

Am I the only one that thinks it's weird that Mrs. Hourigan couldn't afford money for the tooth fairy, but had money for a Target card? I'm confused. ;-)

[rans54]

11:32 PM on 07/28/2011

Are they kidding here? What's next? The mice aren't getting enough crumbs! Funny though...we were at the emergency room this morning for my grandson who broke his finger and there sure were enough illegal mexicans in there getting their free care! Enough of these stupid stories!

[DiGil]

02:49 PM on 07/29/2011

You seriously checked into the immigration status of all the Hispanic people in the ER?