Economic conditions in the U.S. are improving in at least one sector – children who receive money from the Tooth Fairy.  A survey released by Visa shows that the Tooth Fairy is leaving an average of $3.00 per tooth this year, an increase of 15% over the $2.60 left in 2011. 

"The Tooth Fairy may be the canary in the economic coal mine.  She's showing signs of life by leaving 40 cents more per tooth this year," said Jason Alderman, Senior Director of Global Financial Education, Visa Inc.  "This is not only good news for kids, but an ideal teachable moment for parents to engage their children in thinking about how to budget their windfall by saving a portion," Alderman added.

Additional findings in the survey include:

• 3% of children receive less than a dollar, down from 7% last year.
• 30% of children receive exactly $1.  Last year's survey showed that 29% of children received exactly $1.
• 13% of children receive between $2 to $4, down from 18% last year.
• 18% of children receive $5, the same amount as compared to last year.
• 8% of children receive more than $5, compared to 3% last year.