What happens after education?

[mumnosbest]

I now have 2 adult DC. DS went straight off to uni but DD is 18 and finishes college this year. She'll be living at home but wants a break before getting a job. That's fine, she's worked hard. What do I need to know about having another adult at home? Especially finance wise. TIA

If there is no plan for uni or apprenticeship, I would want a plan in place. A break is fine, but is that 2 weeks, 2 months or a year? How is she supporting herself during that time? Even if you are willing and able to not ask for housekeeping/bills contribution/food etc, she will need money for socialising, travel, clothes, toiletries etc.
And work out if you can/want to support her financially and make it clear how much ££ you expect. Also if you wish to put a limit on how long she lives with you.
Other than that, it's hard. DS came home after uni, has a grad job, but still treats home rather like a student house share. We have had disagreements over late nights (several 3am wake ups during the working week), cooking and leaving chaos (we generally eat together in the evening, but lunch is never just a sandwich and he preps his own stuff for lunch f not WFH, and middle of the night feeds after nights out...), what time everyone can use the (only) bathroom, and emptying the tank of hot water on a single shower. He occasionally stacks the dishwasher and helps in the garden in the summer but ....

So basically, decide what you want and get some rules in place!

She can 'have a break' whilst she's applying for jobs, surely. Unless she's very lucky she's unlikely to be walking into the role of her dreams whenever she feels like it.

With adult rights come adult responsibilities. She'll need to sign on and do her fair share around the house.

If you are going to fund it, you need to sit down and do your sums. How much and for how long, and also how are you going to feel about it if she does not use the time wisely?

DS1 finished sixth form last summer, we agreed that he could take a break before starting to apply for jobs in September (so 2.5 months after finishing exams), but he did have to volunteer once a week to give him something to put on his CV. He managed to pick up a retail role starting in September and has been there ever since, he now pays us a small amount towards housekeeping and is saving the rest. He has no idea what he wants to do next with his life, that’s fine, but he needs to be earning or learning while he lives with us.

DS took a gap year before uni so it's only fair DD gets the same opportunity. She has finished (almost) training for quite a specific career and will start applying for posts throughout the autumn. She has a part time job so funds her own social life. She knows that she needs to pull her weight around the house and that once she starts working she'll need to contribute too.

It's more about all the other stuff I need to be aware of. So I know dental appointments, prescriptions, opticians will cost. Are there any other financial matters that I need to be aware of?

You will loose any child benefit/UC/Child maintenance if you have been recieving this. If you currently claim single person council tax this will go up.

Unless jobs applications for her career only open in the Autumn, it's unwise to postpone searching until then. The job market is very difficult especially for young people. No break needed.

DD is moving home when she graduates. If she's got a full time job, we'll charge her a nominal amount for board and I'll transfer all her direct debits - phone, contact lenses, subscriptions, gym - to her account.

She knows how to cook, do laundry and be considerate when coming in late. We're fine about her boyfriend staying over but ONS - no way!

If you are currently only adult in your home so getting the single person discount for council tax, then that will stop (you may need to inform them).

Gap year in this household meant working and earning money to travel. All university vacations were spent working. No one got to lie around. How much are you prepared to pay for? Even when they were younger I made it quite clear what they had to do when they were on school holidays and I was at work.

If she has a pt job I’d say it’s fine, it’ll just be finding a balance between having her do her fair share and you just getting carried away (ds worked pt-20 hours and at time we did get carried away with him probably helping a lot but yes possibly too much and then getting fed up). Remind her to have goals and to do them!!

I’m finding this an interesting thread as my DC Does not want to go to university, they have a place but they are clear that they don’t want to go. Their plan is to get a job but they have no idea really what they want to do!

Thanks for the comments re council tax. I did wonder about that. I'm married so that shouldn't go up. Are there any other expenses or bills that will change? I've discovered this week that my home insurance has gone up now that I have another adult at home. I'm surprised as she definitely causes more damage as a child!

She does have a plan but I think a few months out and a part-time job is worthwhile for her. She has worked hard and there's plenty of time for work, responsibility and adulting in the years to come. She does fund her own social life and I'm happy to let her enjoy the summer while she can.

wants a break before getting a job. That's fine

Good grief!