How much pocket money for 15 year old?

[Simionfab191]

DS is 15. We're thinking £20 per week on the understanding that homework is complete, room is kept tidy and bins are put out. This is to cover food when out with friends/girlfriend, cinema trips and to allow him to save for any particular clothes or video games he wants. We'll still buy his basic items.

Does this sound reasonable?

It seems to be more about where people live.
My two kids had paper rounds from 13, easy enough to get here - quite a regular turnover. Mine also did delivery of a local free monthly magazine. Hated that, it took hours and pay was poor.
I also know a couple doing football refereeing.
DS 14 recently did a round of the local area asking who would employ him. Most were flat no but he left his CV in a couple of cafes/shops. He didn't get anything (yet) but he still has his paper round.
Lots of 15 year olds I know got those kinds of jobs, a few hours on a Saturday, pot washing, clearing tables, cash in hand.
Now DS1 is 16, he is struggling to find anything as everyone wants experience.

I have also just upped their pocket money based on this thread.

@EarthlyNightshade I had the same problem with my DS when he was looking at 16. They want experience but how is he supposed to get some when no one wants to employ them. Luckily we have quite a few McD’s around and that’s where he’s worked the past few years now. I’ve even had the same problems lately and I’m in my late 30’s. There’s opportunities in this area but you need to be quick to snap them up.

Companies are meant to have a specific permit from the local authority to employ anyone under 16. This has to be completed by the employer, parents and usually the head teacher/head of year at school

Many small family forms do not know this so technically are breaking the law if found out

It's not even under the age of 16. It's up until the last Friday in June of Year 11, regardless of when their 16th birthday is. Not having this in place could invalidate employer's liability insurance and all sorts.

I would always advise my DC against cash in hand work. It usually means they don't have a proper contract and are not protected.

Wow, my son is 12 and gets though 20 just going out on his bike he'd never be able to go the cinema and I certainly wouldn't expect him to do adult work for this when he already goes to school all day.

I think 20 is reasonable, but not for bits of clothing etc I would expect that to cover bus fair, drink an food I think if he was going cinema he would need extra. My son is 14 with Asperger's so doesn't really socialise out of school but he gets £10 on a Friday an once a month he gets £50 out of the DLA I receive for him the rest goes away. 20 is very generous alot get nothing but I think if he's active an out an about I would expect to have to top him up :)

I think it's reasonable if it's what you can afford. If he has to save up a couple of weeks for something he wants, there's no harm in that. I never used to get any pocket money at that age, I had a Saturday job age 13 onwards. But if I can afford to give my kids £20/wk when they're teenagers I will do, life is busy enough without them having to work alongside school.

You give what you can afford.

I think that £20 is incredibly high unless you are expecting them to buy clothes.

I gave DD £50 per week. She bought all her own makeup and toiletries and clothes beyond the twice yearly bundle of stuff I’d get her .Her phone was free as part of a family owned business contract so £50 went a really long way. If she ran out , then she could work to earn more. She’s bloody fantastic with money now, nice car, nice flat etc at 20.
I wish my parents had taught me like this. They insisted I lived in poverty and were really controlling ( despite being well off) so I was 30 before I could budget properly and strike a balance.

What you've said sounds reasonable @Simionfab191 - I'd go with that, see how it goes, and review it every so often. It's a good balance between them having some money to learn to budget with, being able to do the odd fun thing (cinema etc) but also not being so much that they go through it with not a care in the world!

Sounds alot. I was earning my own money at 15. No way would I have expected that off my parents. If you wanted something you saved up for it.

Yes, sounds good to me 🥰

We use the 'Go Henry' app for our DD14 and DS10. We have entered into the app a number of chores they can do throughout the week and each job has its own payment.

They both have the ability to earn up to £20 a week if they do things like load the dishwasher, vac their room etc which we think teaches them that 1) they have to work for the things they want, as nothing comes for free and 2) the more effort you put in, the bigger the reward.

We use the accounts for family to pay into for birthdays and Christmas and they have their own cards to use in shops, but we have ultimate control of what they can spend and where they can spend it.

£10-£12. My 17 yr old just got a p/t job but b4 that he got £15 plus his moble phone

Why is everyone assuming they can get a job. Saturday jobs for 15 year olds aren't easy to find in every town. I know it took me a few months to find one at 16 and there was a real reluctance to hire a 15 year old when it's easy to get a 16 year old to do the job.

Plus until then they need some money otherwise it's just impractical.

My daughters have tried to find part time jobs that fit around school.and it's almost impossible. They have to.be at least over 16. Plus I really want them to focus on their exams