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Original poster

What is the going rate for pocket money?

18 replies

NeedSleepNow · 01/10/2023 23:44

I have 3 children, ages 14, 10 & 7 and have never given them regular pocket money before (as a single parent on a low income I struggle every month and haven't been able to budget for regular pocket money up until now, instead I've given then money to go out with friends, bought extra books, magazines etc when they see something they really like) .

I'm starting a new job soon and will have a bit of extra money each month and would love to give the kids pocket money but I have no idea what the going rate is! How much do other people give their children of similar ages each week/month?

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 02/10/2023 00:12

I do their age every fortnight. But that's for frivolous things.

With the oldest you might want to give more responsibility and that means adding up what you spend on clothes, phones etc. and gradually handing over control. So that by the time they leave home, they can do it themselves.

MinnieMountain · 02/10/2023 06:27

9yo gets £10 a month.

dizzygirl1 · 02/10/2023 06:31

It depends on each family. Dc age 16 - £30 (now they are working, that's for travel). Dc age 14 £20. Both a month. They have phones paid etc and generally if they go to the cinema etc I'll pay so it's only for fun stuff.

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ShadowPuppets · 02/10/2023 06:31

I think I’d start by working out how much you’re giving them at the moment - look at the average month and see how much you’re giving them already through buying these bits. Then I’d increase that by the percentage your income is going up.

mumof1or2 · 02/10/2023 06:35

I have an 11 year old and he gets £10 a week paid into his own bank account. He then pays for his own treats and saves up for Lego sets etc. I think if they have their own account they're learning how to manage money in the future.

whiteroseredrose · 02/10/2023 06:38

We used to do double their age as a monthly payment into a bank account (so DH didn't forget!).

ohfook · 02/10/2023 06:39

I do a tenner a month. Mine are pretty young though so they don't really spend a lot they just buy shite with it.

Once they get past ten and are wanting to go out with mates etc I'll probably increase it.

BabyDubsEverywhere · 02/10/2023 06:44

I do £40 per month into bank accounts once they start high school for fun things. I still pay for phone/travel/toiletries and most of their clothes.
The figures (PM, paying for extras, etc) vary wildly in my teens social groups, but overall it seems they even out with those having less PM getting more things paid for adhoc and vice versa.

MrHopsPortal · 02/10/2023 06:57

Mine get £5 a week from when they start secondary.

Youngest gets £2 a week.

whattttttodo · 02/10/2023 07:13

We don't have loads of money under 11 they got £2 over 11 £5 and at 16 £10 a week

Wallywobbles · 02/10/2023 07:16

Mine always got quite a lot from about 10 onwards (€70) but had to buy all clothes with it and presents. This turned out to be a massive saving in that they wore what the bought. And had no school uniform.

I still pay travel and phone.

milkysmum · 02/10/2023 07:20

Mine are 12 and 14 and get £7 a week into their bank account.

DinosApple · 02/10/2023 07:21

I'm on minimum wage so my 12 and 14yo get a tenner a month. It's not a lot. If I could afford it I'd double it.

I pay for their phones and clubs obviously.

elQuintoConyo · 02/10/2023 07:55

Nearly-12yo just started secondary, gets €10 a month. He saves it, or it goes on sweets and a Lego magazine. He knows once it's gone, it's gone.

We pay for everything else: phone, extra curricular, clothes etc.

He'll get €50 or something if we go on holiday, then he can buy souvenirs and postcards etc.

MamaBear2210T · 02/10/2023 07:58

In foster care, teenagers over the age of 11 get £10 per week. Under that is £5 per week. These figures are set by government for what children should get so that may help with deciding.

historyrepeatz · 02/10/2023 08:20

DD 13 gets £10 per week. She pays for friends birthday presents, class secret Santa. If she wants to go out with friends to go to cinema or something it's covered by that and anything I don't buy her as needed. It actually builds up as she's good with it. She's aware that it could go down if our circumstances change.

Original poster
NeedSleepNow · 03/10/2023 17:57

Thanks. I think I will keep paying for my eldest's phone and clothes but he will have to fund things like cinema/bowling himself with whatever I end up giving him as pocket money each month. The younger two won't need quite so much, I might give my 10 year old £5 a week and my 6 year old £3 a week

OP posts:
HippeePrincess · 03/10/2023 18:00

MamaBear2210T · 02/10/2023 07:58

In foster care, teenagers over the age of 11 get £10 per week. Under that is £5 per week. These figures are set by government for what children should get so that may help with deciding.

That’s a lot of money, my kids would have more disposable than me if in gave them this!

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