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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

do you give your teen a monthly allowance?

54 replies

polly28 · 22/10/2005 23:11

and how much do you give?

what it is meant to cover?

we are planning on starting one with dd who is 13,nearly 14.

she earns money now through babysitting occasionally,we are currently giving her money when she needs it,with the understanding that she earns it .She will do odd jobs around the house for extra cash but her daily chores ie.the dishes or bathing ds are not financially rewarded .

I would like to know how others deal with teaching teens the value of money.

OP posts:
colditz · 22/10/2005 23:12

Roast me if you like, but why is it her job to bath your son? Does she enjoy it?

Original poster
polly28 · 22/10/2005 23:14

yes,she likes doing it,they have a hoot!

OP posts:
MarsLady · 22/10/2005 23:31

Mine start to get an allowance from 11. DS1 is almost 13 and DD1 was 11 yesterday.

at 11 they get £10 a month
at 12 they get £20 a month
at 13 they get £25 a month
at 14 they get £30 a month
at 15 they get £45 a month
at 16.... they get a part time job

They don't have to do chores for it. They have to do chores anyway.

Should they spend all their money in one go I do not bail them out. They buy their own sweets, clothes, extra school equipment etc. Obviously with only £10 initially I give them a little leeway. The more money they get... the less I help them out. This will hopefully teach them to manage their own money. DS1 saved his entire allowance for 8 months in order to buy a PSP.

I see no problem with your DD bathing your DS. It's about being a part of a family and looking after one another.

colditz · 22/10/2005 23:36

I did come across as rather rude, sorry. Have a chip on my shoulder, as I practically brought my youngest sister up. Obviously you are not like that, it's my 'problem'

I should just go to bed.......

MarsLady · 22/10/2005 23:38

fret not Colditz...

Original poster
polly28 · 22/10/2005 23:43

marslady,do you give it to them in cash or put it in the bank.

OP posts:
MarsLady · 22/10/2005 23:57

I put it in the bank.

I have a regular transfer out from my account. This allows them the freedom to spend as much or as little as they want.

Also, the fact that it is in the bank means that they aren't tempted to rush out and spend it all.

DD1 tends to save.. so starting her allowance will be interesting.

DS1 spends it all instantly unless he wants something (like his PSP). Of course his mates have started going out for pizza and to the cinema and he knows that he has to fund it himself. So... we'll see what happens there

Original poster
polly28 · 23/10/2005 00:17

thanks,will probably start an account for dd.

She just got back from babysitting....pleased as punch as she got £20!

Do your kids pay for mobile phone bills aswell with that?

OP posts:
MarsLady · 23/10/2005 00:54

yup! It's the only way to keep them low.

Original poster
polly28 · 23/10/2005 17:53

bump,anyone else have any views

OP posts:
JanH · 23/10/2005 18:15

Pocket money from Family section of Guardian yesterday.

DS1 is 12 and gets £5 cash a week, which he can fritter in the blink of an eye. He also gets dribs and drabs the rest of the time - I like the idea of a monthly allowance into his account which he has to manage and budget. Mars, can you do a transfer into a savings account?

MarsLady · 23/10/2005 22:09

yes I think you can JanH.

The kids have book accounts with the Nationwide. I set up a regular transfer quite easily.

I think you can set up a standing order or transfer pretty easily.

Pisces · 23/10/2005 22:51

We give our 14 year old DD1 £100 per month. She is very fussy. Because of her fussiness, she has to buy her own toiletries. Sainsburys own brands do not suit her apparently!!! We will pay for 2 hair cuts a year - anymore and she has to pay for them. We will buy school wear, dance wear, BASIC horse riding kit (boots, helmet) and that is about all. She has to find her own fares for rail, cinema, clothes, books etc. £100 does not seem to go far but she is now learning that it has to do.

It WAS hard for DH and I in the beginning, we are used to giving our children everything (psychological as we both had nothing as children) but now we do not buy her ANYTHING. Birthdays and Christmas only and TOUGH if her mobile has run out of credit..........

Original poster
polly28 · 23/10/2005 23:07

wow....£100,I was thinking of £20/month.

I would buy clothes that she needed,not just wanted,fancy toiletries she would buy,mobile she would keep topped up .

Is this really mean of us?

OP posts:
MarsLady · 23/10/2005 23:12

Not mean at all. It will teach her to budget and to save. You can increase it as and when you wish.

The key is NOT to top it up if she runs out

myturntobeposh · 23/10/2005 23:15

We give our 11 and 12yo's £5 a week each. They have general chores, but anything of top of this they are paid extra.

Pisces · 23/10/2005 23:25

Not mean at all Polly28. We just found that our DD1 seemed to know just how to milk us (soft parents, having to learn........) and when I kept a spreadsheet for 2 months, I realised that she was ACTUALLY costing us nearer £300 per month. So I bite the bullet, gave her the £100 allowance and she thought she was in heaven. She is now bitterly learning that she is going to have to stop being such a designer label freak and cut her cloth accordingly. Mum & Dad now TOTALLY refuse to bail her out on any occassion. No money, tough, no go!

MarsLady · 23/10/2005 23:27

good on you Pisces!

JoolsToo · 23/10/2005 23:29

blimey £100 a month - I'm a shocked old hag!

Original poster
polly28 · 23/10/2005 23:30

great idea keeping a spreadsheet of all we give to her.

Will start one tomorrow.

thanks

OP posts:
MarsLady · 23/10/2005 23:30

but jools... she's saving £200 a month!

Besides... if she's wise she won't put it up next year and once her DD is 16 she can get a part time job!

MarsLady · 23/10/2005 23:31

I like that spreadsheet idea too, except that I don't know how to make one

JoolsToo · 23/10/2005 23:32

the times they are a'changin'

MarsLady · 23/10/2005 23:33

they are indeed... how much did you give that terrible daughter of yours?

Original poster
polly28 · 23/10/2005 23:34

we're also trying to figure out a cheaper way for her to use her mobile.

she currently has a PAYGO which is quite expensive.Trying to find a reasonable contract that she could afford that gives her a load of free texts,can't find a decent one under 25 quid.

OP posts: