Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it is worth it. Bit fed up.

45 replies

Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2013 15:02

DS1 has a local paper round every Wednesday. 180 papers which pays just over £5 then 89p for each set of leaflets that go with the papers. Today there are 4 so he will pick up £8.50ish.

I was talking to a parent with a Ds the same age and she asked what it paid. Then said her DS wouldn't think it was worth it.

I was a bit 'erm' as I had just told her that DS was doing it.

So £5- £8.50 a week extra to pocket money isn't worth it for a 14 year old? Confused

OP posts:
Sirzy · 18/09/2013 15:03

I think the pay for paper rounds is awful. BUT it is good that he is making the effort to get his own money and I think from that side of things then yet it is worth it.

picnicbasketcase · 18/09/2013 15:04

I wouldn't think it was worth it either, financially. But fair play and well done to him for sticking at it and earning himself some money.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2013 15:05

Yes Sirzy, the pay isn't great but it's more than he would have had, and he's getting quicker and quicker at it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2013 15:06

It's only 1 1/2 hours one night a week, and one of the roads is the one we live on. Grin

OP posts:
BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 18/09/2013 15:09

Well, financially it isn't worth it but good for him for having the get up and go to get off his bum and earn his own money - from that point of view it is totally worth it.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2013 15:10

So what would be a decent wage for delivering 180 newspapers?

OP posts:
Crinkle77 · 18/09/2013 15:13

£8.50 for one and a half hours work isn't bad for a 14 year old. It is worth it for the values it is teaching your son.

Ragwort · 18/09/2013 15:14

I think that is very good money for a 14 year old (round here a lot of pensioners deliver the newspapers Grin). Between £5-£8.50 for an hour and a half's work is fine.

More importantly your DS is developing a good work ethic and prepared to do something himself to earn extra pocket money.

No wonder so many children have such an 'entitled' attitude if their parents won't support them to get a paper round Hmm. How does your friend's son earn money - or do his parents just dish it out to him?

Ragwort · 18/09/2013 15:15

What happens if he is ever unable to do the round? I can remember my Dad stepping in to do my brother's paper round when he was at scout camp Grin.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2013 15:16

No idea Ragwort maybe her DS is waiting for something better. Grin There's not a lot of jobs out there for 14 year olds.

OP posts:
YouTheCat · 18/09/2013 15:16

As an under 16 the apprentice rate is £2.68 per hour.

So he's scoring for more than minimum wage.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2013 15:17

I think DS2 (11) would do it with me and I would give him the money Ragwort.

OP posts:
Distrustinggirlnow · 18/09/2013 15:20

I think it's good that he realises that to get stuff he has to work. That's a good work ethic which will pay dividends when he's older. Not sure i can say the same for yours friends DS tho Hmm

TheFallenNinja · 18/09/2013 15:22

My ds wouldn't get out of bed for less than £10 Smile

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2013 15:23

He has already bought himself a pair of £40 headphones even though he had a pair of headphones! But it's great because it's his money and he can buy 100s of pairs of headphones as long as he has the money in his account. He earnt those headphones. Smile.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2013 15:23

Oh Fallen why not? Sad

OP posts:
Sirzy · 18/09/2013 15:25

And that's why it's good he can learn to appreciate his own money rather than expecting to be given everything

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2013 15:26

he pointed out he earns more than I do Sirzy. Grin

OP posts:
LadyClariceCannockMonty · 18/09/2013 15:27

I think it's great that he wants, has and is holding down a job. It must be teaching him about the value of money and work, as well as things like turning up on time and being reliable. Good on him!

The other child might be over-indulged by his parents and have no concept of earning his own keep. Your DS will come out better!

Christ, I sound like a red-faced Tory. I'm not, I swear.

runningonwillpower · 18/09/2013 15:29

It is so worth it.

He is earning money by his own effort. He is on the first step towards independence. How great is that?

My daughter had a crap waitress job when she was 14 and she took so much pride in earning her own money. The first Christmas after nigh on broke my heart when she spent hard earned money on Chanel perfume for me - but was she proud!

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 18/09/2013 15:32

That's lovely, running. That actually made me well up Smile

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 18/09/2013 15:32

I'm all for them working. But, £5 for 180 papers is 2.8 pence per paper. I got 2 pence per paper when I was 14. Im 38 now! £5 is diabolical!
Working and earning is great, but paper rounds are exploitative!

ifyourehoppyandyouknowit · 18/09/2013 15:33

I think it's worth it, that's £30 odd a month that he wouldn't have had, which is a decent amount of 'fun money' for a 14 year old. Plus he's learning to manage money and what others have said about work ethic and knowing where money comes from. Definitely worth it.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2013 15:34

The thing is that's the going rate take it or leave it, so he either earns it or he doesn't, and he chooses to and doesn't feel exploited.

OP posts:
NothingsLeft · 18/09/2013 15:57

I think it's pretty good going for 1.5 hrs. It's local, gives you enough cash for a bit of freedom and doesn't take up much time and you get some exercise. Pop the head phones on and your away Smile

I'm not sure how many jobs would pay a 14 year old £10 an hour but could be wrong.

Swipe left for the next trending thread