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Original poster

How much do teens cost??

121 replies

Heatherbell1978 · 14/05/2023 07:04

Inspired by a few threads and now looking for facts! DC are currently 6 and 8 and we're provably in a bit of a sweet spot financially with them as far as buying them 'stuff'.

Neither gets regular pocket money, 8 year old has never really asked! Both happy to wear whatever I buy and thankfully not too brand influenced (yet!), generally happy with getting stuff at Xmas and Birthdays. I do pay about £275 a month in wrap around care and need to shell out for holiday clubs. Don't do loads of expensive days out but occasional trips to zoo etc.

Appreciate that pocket money will become a thing soon and phones in the future.

What does your monthly outlay look like? (I have a boy and a girl if that makes a difference)

OP posts:
newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 20:53

@WordtoYoMumma no they haven't so they will have to wait until they can afford it. It's not an essential and it can be fatal so there's absolutely no sense in parents financing it

Whiteroomjoy · 14/05/2023 20:59

Never bought one , are you trying to find the right price to sell yours at?

Okunevo · 14/05/2023 21:03

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 20:53

@WordtoYoMumma no they haven't so they will have to wait until they can afford it. It's not an essential and it can be fatal so there's absolutely no sense in parents financing it

Depending on where you live, not being able to drive can severely restrict opportunities. If they can't drive they may resort to riding a motorcycle or moped which is more dangerous.

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 21:03

Whiteroomjoy · 14/05/2023 20:59

Never bought one , are you trying to find the right price to sell yours at?

Ha ha I'd do twenty quid today

LookOutBandits · 14/05/2023 21:05

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 20:53

@WordtoYoMumma no they haven't so they will have to wait until they can afford it. It's not an essential and it can be fatal so there's absolutely no sense in parents financing it

There is not 'no sense' in paying for driving lessons.

It's strange to think that preventing them from learning to drive because driving can be fatal. Only doing activities where there is no danger is no way to live a life.

Personally, I'd rather my dd drove herself than take a lift from some loser.

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 21:06

If you live so rurally you can't use public transport I'm pretty sure driving would be dangerous for a young inexperienced child. The statistics speak for themselves. Three young kids near me killed recently driving home from school. Driver was at fault. Inexperience costs live so why parents are so keen to foot the bill for something so dangerous baffles me

SweetSakura · 14/05/2023 21:07

askan · 14/05/2023 09:03

And agree about kids not 'having' to have stuff. There is just no way on earth I would ever buy my children a Canada Goose coat or a brand new iPhone. It amazes me that some parents don't seem to feel they have any choice over these things. Just say no!

Same. If ours want something "branded" they have to pay the difference between a normal priced version and the branded version. That tends to focus their minds Grin

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 21:09

@LookOutBandits there's a bit of a difference from taking some risks as kids to being behind the wheel of a potential killing machine. If they are so desperate to do it them earning the money and not having it handed on a platter will make them more responsible

WordtoYoMumma · 14/05/2023 21:09

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 20:53

@WordtoYoMumma no they haven't so they will have to wait until they can afford it. It's not an essential and it can be fatal so there's absolutely no sense in parents financing it

Why does "it can be fatal" mean there is no sense in parents financing it?! Why will it suddenly be less fatal if it is funded by my kid working 20 hours a week in the local chippy? Fair enough if you don't want to pay for your children's driving but your reasoning is super odd.

Driving can be essential for some people and it definitely opens up more options with jobs etc. I'd like my kids to have that opportunity. You don't, which is fine. Neither of us are wrong.

But there definitely IS some "sense" in parents helping finance their kids learning a really useful skill, when it is really difficult for young people to fund it themselves.

Wallywobbles · 14/05/2023 21:17

My DDs have always had the same allowance of 70€ since 11. They have to buy all clothes (no uniform here), sports clothes, presents, makeup etc.

I pay for pharmacy stuff in our weekly shop. Travel, phones, subscriptions.

They probably get a couple of TK max and M&S shops out of me a year.

Okunevo · 14/05/2023 21:18

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 21:06

If you live so rurally you can't use public transport I'm pretty sure driving would be dangerous for a young inexperienced child. The statistics speak for themselves. Three young kids near me killed recently driving home from school. Driver was at fault. Inexperience costs live so why parents are so keen to foot the bill for something so dangerous baffles me

Every driver is inexperienced at first. My only other option to get to work would be a motorcycle or moped. It is a fairly safe route by car.

RecordsTurning · 14/05/2023 21:19

I’ve never added it up but for us it’s lots on clothes/trainers/tech/sports equipment.
We also spent thousands on orthodontic treatment as the NHS wait was ridiculous. Then driving lessons, car and insurance costs and university.

QuillBill · 14/05/2023 21:21

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 21:09

@LookOutBandits there's a bit of a difference from taking some risks as kids to being behind the wheel of a potential killing machine. If they are so desperate to do it them earning the money and not having it handed on a platter will make them more responsible

Bizarre attitude. Confused Not all teenagers are irresponsible wankers. Mine are an absolute delight.

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 21:22

You think only irresponsible kids have accidents? If it wasn't so tragic that would be laughable

Okunevo · 14/05/2023 21:25

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 21:09

@LookOutBandits there's a bit of a difference from taking some risks as kids to being behind the wheel of a potential killing machine. If they are so desperate to do it them earning the money and not having it handed on a platter will make them more responsible

Or they might just do their cbt and buy a moped. I'd rather my child was in a killing machine personally.

LookOutBandits · 14/05/2023 21:25

Why will it suddenly be less fatal if it is funded by my kid working 20 hours a week in the local chippy? Fair enough if you don't want to pay for your children's driving but your reasoning is super odd.

Coincidentally that is exactly the job my dd did during her A levels.

She would have needed to work more to pay for her own driving lessons though which is why I paid for them. And a car. She drove to sixth form which saved £1000 on her bus pass.

It didn't cross my mind to stop her from leaning to drive on safety grounds.

Multipleexclamationmarks · 14/05/2023 21:27

Mine aren't bothered about branded clothes but shoes seem to cost a fortune, luckily I think their feet have pretty much stopped growing now but doc martins/converse/vans cost a lot but last.

Food - they literally never seem to stop eating.

Bus fare £40 a month, phone £20 and allowance £30 a month. Extra allowance to cover other people's birthdays/cinema and hoc.

Hobbies - they're both musicians, I don't want to think about it. Lessons/ hiring studios/ instrument upgrades+ accessories/ gig expenses. I hazard a guess at £200 a month, some months slightly less, some much more. Then scouts subs, camp this time of year.

Yuja · 14/05/2023 21:29

I'm only a couple of years ahead of you - 10 and 8. Elder DC not yet into brands but she's very good at a sport which is now starting to take up a lot of time and money in training/equipment/competitions. Just starting to hear about phones which we will probably get her next year. I guess this is the bottom of a large financial mountain coming my way!

waterlego · 14/05/2023 21:29

About 750,000 people pass driving tests every year in the UK. A tiny number of these will very sadly be involved in serious accidents. Many more will have less serious accidents of the type that will leave everyone involved unscathed and having learnt important lessons. The risks are upsetting and are to be taken seriously- but not necessarily a reason for everyone to decide not to learn to drive. From your posts, I’m guessing you would be in favour of raising the minimum driving age @newjobnewstartihope?

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 21:31

Honestly why the fuck some of you are in a rush for your little darlings to gain their independence when the statistics support exactly what I'm saying. And honestly if you knew the pain it causes to those left behind you really would think twice about being so quick to get them behind the wheel.

How much do teens cost??
CatherinedeBourgh · 14/05/2023 21:33

Mine cost an absolute fortune, as they are home schooled so have lots of expensive activities instead. Both are musicians, music lessons alone are over 500 a month, their other activities at least another 500, then there is their educational material...

Costs less than sending them to private school, but probably not by that much!

Clothes they are not bothered about (it's more me that's bothered that they are in clothes with no holes in them!) but feeding them costs a fortune. Plus trains to and from activities, spending money when there...

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 21:34

waterlego · 14/05/2023 21:29

About 750,000 people pass driving tests every year in the UK. A tiny number of these will very sadly be involved in serious accidents. Many more will have less serious accidents of the type that will leave everyone involved unscathed and having learnt important lessons. The risks are upsetting and are to be taken seriously- but not necessarily a reason for everyone to decide not to learn to drive. From your posts, I’m guessing you would be in favour of raising the minimum driving age @newjobnewstartihope?

Absolutely
It's not even a matter of opinion. Scientifically it's a proven fact that the teenage brain development makes driving a risky activity to start with. I know people get offended because their Timothy and Tansy aren't like other kids but hey even sensible kids have accidents- like I said the statistics and evidence supports it

gegs73 · 14/05/2023 21:34

Expensive with teens. Adult size clothes and shoes/trainers. Travel costs (trains). They eat loads. Taking 4 adults on holiday instead of 2 adults/2 children. If you go out for a meal it’s for 4 adults again so no children meals. Yep to orthodontics, awful teeth but 2 year wait for NHS so nearly £3k 😭. Gets even worse if they choose to go to uni, the loans cover only accommodation in DS’s case. Love them but not cheap.

Okunevo · 14/05/2023 21:36

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 21:31

Honestly why the fuck some of you are in a rush for your little darlings to gain their independence when the statistics support exactly what I'm saying. And honestly if you knew the pain it causes to those left behind you really would think twice about being so quick to get them behind the wheel.

How does it compare to riding a motorcycle, moped, or a bicycle where there are few cycle lanes? In the winter in the dark, not just the summer.

CatherinedeBourgh · 14/05/2023 21:36

newjobnewstartihope · 14/05/2023 21:31

Honestly why the fuck some of you are in a rush for your little darlings to gain their independence when the statistics support exactly what I'm saying. And honestly if you knew the pain it causes to those left behind you really would think twice about being so quick to get them behind the wheel.

By this statistic you would have to stop them driving until they are 29...they are actually safer before 20.

The fact is that novice drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents, whatever their age. But for many people in many different circumstances, not driving is not a long term option.

Bring on self driving cars!