Need help convincing parents

Question

Hi.

I want a Wii, and I'm prepared to to work to get it. I've already nearly got enough for one, and I've decided to help around the house more. My only problem is the fact that I have an Xbox 360. I got it for Christmas last year and my parents hardly allow me any new games, never mind a new console. I have money to spend and I'd like to spend it, but my parents are very strict about my spending.

My first question is: How can I convince my parents to let me buy a Wii?

And my second is: Do you think I should just ignore them and buy it?

Answer 1

you should definitely buy one, your parents will always try to tell you how to spend your money, mine still do and i'm 32 and i don't even live with them. have you thought about selling your xbox to get some extra cash towards it

Answer 2

You could try the approach where you say that the Wii is a way of staying healthy because the cames are more energetic, and it's also a more social console.

What do you want it for that the Xbox 360 doesn't do though? Why do you need 2 consoles? Would you be prepared to sell the 360?

Answer 3

Yes tell them that they'll have a lot of fun with it and play something like Wii Sports with them.

Answer 4

to be honest i would just buy it and then say ow well whats done is done if its a wast ill learn from my mistakes but your parents are obv. different to mine so they mite confiscate you wii

Answer 5

Say you'll buy Wii Fit (It's apparently a really good game) and you could say you will go on it regularly and this might convince them.  Possibly sell your XBOX?

Answer 6

Honestly, don't buy the wii, i don't care what your parents think, its a peice of sh**, I was in the exact same situation and bought a wii, I've had it for three months and i have played it about five times. Get xbox live if your parents will let you and then buy some good games like Battlefield bad company, GTA 4, Call of Duty 4, Assassins Creed and a guitar hero, trust me...

Answer 7

Its your money so you can spend it how you like. I would just go out and buy one.  

Answer 8

Don't Ignore Them! They're your PARENT'S FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!

What you COULD say is that it balances fitness with fun, and it's meant for the WHOLE family!

Also you could say that the Wii Fit game can be used to exercise, without all the pulleys and levers from an ecercising machine!!!

Answer 9

Well it depends is it really your money, or is it from your parents, even if its from chores around the house they don't have to pay you for it, after all you live there too so its only right you pull your own weight, after all its your parents who have to work to feed, cloth and shelter you so a few chores is the least you can do.

Answer 10

play outside a lot more and that will convince your parents. maybe even they will buy you a Wii then.

Answer 11

It's nice to feel that it's 'your' money and you should decide how to spend it.

How much do you pay on rent? Mortgage? Insurance? Food? Electricity? Maintainance and repairs?

Basically, you have no costs whatsoever. If your parents disagree with you, it might have to do with buying one gameconsole and then wanting another one.

They will wonder: When does the fancy of the Wii wear off? What does he want next week?

To get what you want, you should not try to

a) get around your parent's permission

b) try to defend your position (you 'must' have a Wii because you don't have many Xbox-games - how does that argument work???)

You have to address your parent's objections.  I have stated them above.

For example:

Suppose you do a little research on eBay.  How much do Xbox-360's go for?    Is it enough to buy a Wii and some games?  Can you get a second hand Wii?   Can you buy second hand games?

Draw up a plan that demonstrates you are willing to make sacrifices (sell the Xbox, settle for second hand), and you are willing to look at the financial side of things.

You want to take away the image of a spoiled 'drive me to the store because I want a Wii' - teenager.

Your parents may object to selling the Xbox - but there is a case to be made.

If you have a plan to get what you want, by giving up what you don't use, and spending as little money as humanly possible, you have addressed their concerns.

Get into their heads. Stop whining and stop the 'I want' - rant.

Answer 12

I'm not normally for ignoring parents.  However, in this case, I think you should.  If you worked for your money, and are saving a reasonable amount of it for important things and to learn discipline, then I don't think they should be telling you what to do with the rest of it, assuming you are not buying things that are harmful to you, or illegal.   If you don't get to enjoy some of it, what's the point of having it?  

I suppose this touches a nerve with me; I'm 53, and had parents who did very much the same thing.  It took me a long time to learn that, although they meant well, they were doing the wrong thing in trying to protect me totally; we all have to learn from mistakes, and we all have to learn to handle our own finances.  If you are saving (and you SHOULD do so), then I think you should buy the Wii and enjoy it; there are times when it really IS easier to ask for forgiveness than permission :-)

Answer 13

No I don't think you should ignore them and just get it anyway, but yes I do believe that you can convince them that you should be able to buy one.

You need to concentrate on the differences with the Wii that make it so popular. Explain that the Wii is more interactive and promotes physical fitness etc etc. Say you want it to get/stay fit, explain how it is different from the 360. Parents fear the unknown, they cannot easily find trustworthy information on games, consoles etc and as they tend to be played hidden away in bedrooms they fear what they don't understand.

If you can, suggest that THEY get involved with it, have it connected to your main TV and get them to experience fun with the whole family. See if any of your friends parents (that understand it a bit better) can have a word with them, direct them to wikipedia and other internet sites they might trust for information, but most of all be open with your parents, build trust do not destroy it.

The console itself lends itself to family participation, it may be the best thing for ALL of you.

Good luck.