Allowance/pocket money

[Beansandcheesearegood]

Do you give your children an allowance/pocket money? Mine are 9 &11 - about to start secondary school. Eldest has a card now but really not sure whether to give her a certain amount each month or what?

At secondary school level we found it useful to give a monthly allowance as they started organising their own social events and also buying presents for each other (whereas before I'd just buy a present if they were invited for a birthday party). Basically it gave them the freedom to have control over spending their own money as they started doing more things without an adult in tow.

This seemed to be on a par with most of their peers. It's a good idea to be clear about what it covers - does it cover phone? Transport? All clothes, or will you cover basics and the money is for extras?

Yes I did. I used the local authority rates for my area as a guideline. They are currently

7 £3.30
8 £3.75
9 £4.10
10 £4.35
11 £5.05
12 £6.40
13 £7.65
14 £9.05
15 £10.80
16 £12.95
17+ £14.85

Thank you!

Mine is a bit older (high school) but I put £75 in their bank account every month and have been very clear that once it’s gone, it’s gone.

*Edited to add their phone and travel is paid for. This money is for going out with friends, food/sweets, books, hobby items etc.

Mine are 15&17 and get £20 a month. Seems stingey but they go out with mates extremely rarely and have accumulated quite large bank balances due to not spending bday and Xmas money for years. I’ve always said I’d revisit if their needs change.
Actually - the 17 is at college so I pay his fare and give him a snack allowance on the top given he is out for really long days and is super tall and skinny

mine do.
17 year old £17 a week
11 year old £11 a week
8 year old £8 a week
5 year old £5 a week.

older 3 have bank accounts. They are set up so automatically 80% goes on card. 20% goes into savings pot.

they have free access to make decisions with their own money. If they choose to spend from the savings pot then they know that’s their choice. But we encourage saving for holiday spends and bigger items that are expensive (ie 8 year old likes LEGO but the higher price ones)

once it’s gone it’s gone and there’s no top up.

my 5 year old does get £4 In her purse and £1 for her piggy bank and every now and then she likes to go to toy shop with her purse.

At first they tend to have spent it (older ones) but now we do see they save a lot more. Though the eldest one does seem to spend a large amount on lidl bakery while in school. But if that means she has no money for seeing friends during holidays etc then it’s her choice.