Dinero de bolsillo vs. mesada
Both 'dinero de bolsillo' and 'mesada' are Spanish terms related to the concept of giving money to children, often to teach them about financial responsibility. However, these terms have slightly different connotations and uses.
Dinero de bolsillo
'Dinero de bolsillo' translates literally to 'pocket money'. It is a general term referring to small amounts of money that a child may have on hand for personal use.
Mi mamá me dio diez euros de dinero de bolsillo para el viaje escolar.
(My mom gave me ten euros of pocket money for the school trip.)
Estoy ahorrando mi dinero de bolsillo para comprar un juguete nuevo.
(I'm saving my pocket money to buy a new toy.)
Mesada
'Mesada' is similar to the English term 'allowance'. It specifically refers to the money that parents regularly give their children, usually on a weekly or monthly basis.
Mi padre me da una mesada de cinco euros a la semana.
(My dad gives me an allowance of five euros a week.)
Con mi mesada, aprendí a administrar el dinero desde joven.
(With my allowance, I learned to manage money from a young age.)
Summary
'Dinero de bolsillo' and 'mesada', although both referring to money given to children by parents, are used in slightly different contexts. The former is a general term for child's own money saved up or given for personal use, while the latter specifically refers to the regular amount given by parents as part of teaching financial discipline.