How much board to ask for?

[CurlsandCurves]

DS (16) is hopefully beginning an apprenticeship shortly, alongside attending college 1 day a week. It’s a brilliant opportunity and we are so proud of him.

To start with I think he should be coming out with about £200 a week. Out of that I’ll be asking him to pay for his own mobile phone contract (about £45 a month, I know it’s loads!), and his costs for a day at college (train fare, lunch, I’m guessing £10 or so a week).

Also going to be talking to him about getting into a saving habit, pay yourself as soon as you get paid.

And then there’s board. He won’t know this but any board we do charge I will be putting aside for him for when he moves out. But how much do I charge? Was thinking £40 a week, does that sound reasonable?

How do other parents of teens navigate this?

I probably wouldn't charge anything at that age and would wait until they qualified.

I would absolutely charge so he knows the meaning of money and saving etc. So you're doing the right thing. £40 a week sounds perfectly acceptable, especially as he'll be getting it back eventually!

£40 a week sounds ideal

I'd probably charge the £40 and save it for him so he can have a pot to move out with. Not sure I'd tell him this though.

My mum charged £100 out of my £550 a month. She quietly put it away and gave it to me when I was 18 and leaving home. Are you sure £10 is right for a day at college if he's taking a train? It's just under £10 to go to the next town over where I am.

@MilduraS

My mum charged £100 out of my £550 a month. She quietly put it away and gave it to me when I was 18 and leaving home. Are you sure £10 is right for a day at college if he's taking a train? It's just under £10 to go to the next town over where I am.

Yep, a day return is only £2.70, it’s a ten minute journey!

And yes he will get the board money back at some point, it’ll be going into a savings account I already have for him that he doesn’t know about.

Taking in his outgoings and saving a small amount, he’s going to have £100 a week to do whatever he wants with, so I think he’ll be fine with that.