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How much pocket money for early teens?

16 replies

Lovemusic33 · 03/02/2019 14:53

I know it’s probably been done to deat but need opinions. I have 2 dd’s almost 13 and 15, I have never really given them pocket money, mainly because both dd’s have ASD and up until now haven’t really been capable of going to a shop without me, dd1 now goes out with friends yet her younger sister probably never will (he ASD is more severe) but she likes to go shopping with me and likes collecting certain toys.

Dd1, gets £3 a week to go to youth club and if she goes out with friends I usually give her money but I’m thinking it would be better to give her pocket money each week so she can budget when arranging to do things with friends rather than begging me for money. I know I’m probably going to get judged for never giving her pocket money but it’s never been a issue because I just give her money when she needs it (not always when she wants it).

So, how much do people give their teens each week?

OP posts:
JaneHare · 03/02/2019 15:06

How much do you normally give her for doing stuff with friends?

justasking111 · 03/02/2019 15:08

We just pay out for a specific want/need. Pocket money is not a thing we have ever done. They know to behave if they want money.

Lovemusic33 · 03/02/2019 15:11

She usually has £5-£10 if she’s out with her friends. It’s not very often she goes out and she usually spends it on buying lunch. She has been asking about getting a weekend job but she’s quite immature due to her ASD so I said “maybe she can do some things around the house for pocket money”.

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hendricksy · 03/02/2019 15:12

We started my dd with an allowance at 11 with a debit card so she can learn to manage money . It's worked really well and she is great with money at15.. we pay for essentials but meals / days out / expensive clothing is bought by her.

NChangeForNoReason · 03/02/2019 15:12

Half their age in £ - this includes all treats and non-essentials. We negotiate on clothing so depending on the item she may have to contribute.

We pay for all curricular type clubs and sport, however she saves up for social events eg cinema.

Never too young to learn to budget!!

NChangeForNoReason · 03/02/2019 15:13

Half her age weekly I should add!!!

Slightlyjaded · 03/02/2019 15:15

DS 11 = £5
DD 13 = 10

It seems like a big leap but she is much more independent.

DS will get a pay rise when he hits 13.

Canshopwillshop · 03/02/2019 15:16

We give 14 year old DD £12 per week and 12 year old DS £10 per week. DD spends every single penny she gets whilst DS squirrels his away and is loaded Grin.

ChrisjenAvasarala · 03/02/2019 15:19

I thought what my parents gave me was normal, and I've continued that with my kids but since joining mumsnet I've learned we were completely crazy.

I was completely responsible for my own finances from around 13ish. I was given £150 a month but had to buy all my own clothes, school clothes, school supplies, toiletries, phone, entertainment etc. Basically, I wasn't meant to ask them for money because I was meant to manage my own and they gave me lots of help to learn to do that. Including saving a percentage in a separate account etc.

My kids are still young, but I'm still giving them £100 each and then each money they take some to the bank (with me obviously) and save it, then they need to set some aside for family birthday gifts and if they want Pokemon cards or whatever. They are only 5 and 7, but they are learning money management and the importance of having savings etc. They don't need any money, but instead if putting into the savings accounts myself and buying their magazines or Pokemon cards of whatever for them, they need to think about it themselves. And because of that, they now choose to keep their money until they have enough to buy a big Lego set or whatever, rather than waste it on rubbish.

flatpackbox · 03/02/2019 15:19

Almost 13 year old gets £40 a month in an account with a debit card. She is fairly sensible with it. she might have a hot chocolate with her friends twice a month, spends between £5 and £10 a month on stationery, buys a couple of books.

ChrisjenAvasarala · 03/02/2019 15:20

*each month

Lovemusic33 · 03/02/2019 15:21

So around £10 sounds reasonable?

For dd2 I am hoping it will incourage her to be good during the week (having issues with her steeling things/food) so she will get money taken off if she steels things. As I said above she is more severely autistic than dd1 and punishments are not working so I’m hoping this will work. I don’t mind giving dd1 a little bit more than dd2 as dd1 does more and she wants to save for some items she wants.

OP posts:
Lovemusic33 · 03/02/2019 15:24

Chris I think that sounds like a good option, eventually I would like dd1 to budget for clothes, phone and trips out, it’s good for them to realise what things cost and to budget. I do pay dd1’s phone bill each month which is around £21 and then £3 a week for youth club.

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PoptartPoptart · 03/02/2019 17:16

13yo DS gets £30 per month into his current account for him to spend as and when he wants (he has a debit card).
He also gets £2 cash per week to go to the shop after school with his friends.
We also pay his mobile phone contract each month.

fussygalore118 · 03/02/2019 17:44

Our 13yr old get £10 per week , plus £5 for every test where she gets an over 85% - her school do a fair few tests! We pay her phone contract ( around £40ish per mth)

She does get more if she's out shopping etc but not often, she saves well and is pretty good with money.
It helps that her pocket money goes straight into her bank so she rarely fritters it away.

Lonecatwithkitten · 03/02/2019 17:49

From 13th birthday to 15th birthday £7 per week into debit card account weekly.
From 15th birthday £50 per month responsible for non-school clothes, stationary and toiletries in addition to fun money. She also works intermittently waitressing no reception duties in my business for which she has a child employment licence. She also babysits intermittently.

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