DS wasted his christmas money

[katkitty]

Ds got a lot of nice presents and was given about 200 in cash from family for christmas which he deposited into his bank. I was hoping he'd spend it on a big in-person item that he's wanted for a while or save it but he has told us he's gone and spent it on virtual items on an online game that he's currently obssesed with. Whenever he gets a bit of money he spends it. He's had a lot growing up so it's not as if he's gone without. Typically these interests don't last and that's a lot of money to blow on something that doesn't even exist and I feel like I've failed as a parent that he thought it was an acceptable thing to do. I wouldn't mind if it was only some of it but it was the whole lot. I've always advised him it's not a good idea to spend so much money on these online games and I thought he understood. He's old enough to understand the value of money (he's a teenager). Maybe I'm being far fetched but I don't want him to grow up, waste all his income and still be living at home in his 30's. Is there a way to teach him a lesson (not a punishment)

At one point there was someone in my family who was (by deliberate choice) unemployed (from the age of 16 to 24), sat around the house drinking, smoking and playing online computer games all night and sleeping all day, never helped around the house, etc.
When christmases and birthdays came around, we all used to give him cash but it just went straight on booze and fags until one day I decided that I'd buy vouchers, they were usually the type that could be used in dozens of different tsores but none of them sold booze or fags.
It meant his addictions weren't being funded by me and the rest of the family followed my lead.
After a while, he found that the vouchers he received had amounted to quite a sum and he bought himself a set of books that he'd decided he wanted to read, which took him away from the gaming for a while, then there were other things he wanted and he saved his vouchers for those.
Eventually, he actually bucked his ideas up because the vouchers weren't covering the cost of the things he wanted and he went out and got himself a job.
Now, at 33, he's doing well in the job, has his own flat and runs a car. He still smokes and drinks but has cut the drinking substantially because he values the freedom of the car.

Basically, what I'm saying here (in contrast to my previous posts) is that even if the kids 'waste' money when they're young, given alternatives/guidance they'll usually come good in the end. They may not have much or any savings as they start their adult lives but they'll find their way through, they just need us to be there to guide them

I don't think there's a direct link between wasting money as a teenager and living at home at 30 years old otherwise I'd still be living at home!

Immaturity and fiscal irresponsibility leads to being a man-child who pisses away his income on pricey hobbies while his family has to scrimp. MN is full of their wives moaning.

@CatsArePeople

I don't think there's a direct link between wasting money as a teenager and living at home at 30 years old otherwise I'd still be living at home!

Immaturity and fiscal irresponsibility leads to being a man-child who pisses away his income on pricey hobbies while his family has to scrimp. MN is full of their wives moaning.

Ah so it's a make thing?