How much money do you give your teens?

[Alb1]

Just wondering how much allowance most people give to their teens? Mine is 13 and I'm trying to figure it out, wether it should be all earned through house work, or wether there should be a base rate and then extra earned through house work, or wether it should just be unconditional free money? Like should house work should be done regardless as she's part of our family...

I should probably add a bit of background here, she's my sister who's just come to live with me as our mum has died and I'm 100% clueless as I'm only 25 and my own child is only just weaning. So you may see a few more clueless threads here coming up...

Dd is 13 and gets £5 a month. This is just for social stuff as we pay phone, travel, clothes etc. It isn't much but she is very sporty so trains a lot and doesn't have a lot of time to go out. Also she gets quite a lot of birthday/Christmas money from family which goes into her account. I give extra at Christmas so she can buy presents and in holidays when there is more time to socialise. But this is a set amount, not just every time she asks so she doesn't just blow it all in Starbucks. Jobs aren't linked to money but she is helpful around the house anyway.

Sorry for your loss and wishing you all the best for raising you dsis. This is a wonderful thing to do especially when your own dc is young. Never be afraid to ask for help.

DS is nearly 14 and gets £25 a month. I pay his phone bill and his school bus pass, so that is really just for socialising and saving up for stuff he wants, at the moment he is doing a few extra chores for cash as he wants to go on an expensive school trip.

DS is 16 and gets £205 a month. This is half his DLA so it's an appropriate amount. He covers his phone bill, clothes, computer games and equipment and (very minimal) social activities with this. He doesn't have to pay for travel.

My DD is 13 as well and I'd say the total for clubs, instrument lessons, pocket money and extras (doesn't use her mobile phone!) averages out about £27 a month. She knows money is tight so she can't have any more. Money or no money, we ask her to help out with washing/driving up occasionally - she gets away with it very lightly though.

If you set an allowance and feel you keep having to top it up, then it's probably better to give her a bit more and make her manage it.

I know you're both going through a hard time at the moment, so don't forget this forum is here if you want to ask anything else.

Sorry for your loss. DS has been getting his full child benefit as an allowance since he was 15 but it was to cover his phone and other nonessentials. Any toiletries were bought with the weekly shop as needed. My friend who has a DD does the same with hers but says that she's constantly having to top her up because she has a busy social life and stuff like makeup tends to cost. (grateful to have a geeky boy who doesn't really bother with activities that cost lol)

When he was younger he used to get half of the child benefit and we put the other half away so by the time he turned 17 he had enough for driving lessons and he currently pays for all of his lessons out of his money. Hopefully he'll get a summer job this year!

Sorry for your loss op I'm really glad you are taking your dsis in.

I have a 13 year old and am feeling my way in the dark as shes the oldest. She gets £40 allowance per month.

Whatever amount you decide on I would pay it into a bank account and get her a cash card. Assuming you don't live in a central town location with easy access to a cashpoint, this will ensure that she doesn't have ready cash for sweets, junk food and random crap!

So sorry to hear about your mum. She may have relaxed a little with your younger sister, but I agree that you that you should take what she reckons she was allowed to do/ get with a pinch of salt!

I hope you are both getting the support you both need.

Can recommend Osper cards for teens. Much, much simpler than managing a proper bank account but they can pay in shops or online with it, or get cash out. And it comes with a phone App so you can see how they're spending it. You can also transfer onto it instantly if they're ever away from you and need money urgently

I couldn't read and run. I lost my mum, although I was a decade older than you and only had my own ds to look after, no siblings.

Please be kind to yourself. I ran myself ragged when I lost mine and never really asked for help. I think the drive to take everything on is a natural one, but sometimes you need a bit of tlc yourself.

Re pocket money, my 14yo gets £20 pm paid into his bank account (NatWest - they give youngsters a debit card), plus I pay £10 for his phone. It's not linked to chores as such, but if he's been particularly lazy he's had his allowance cut (after a warning).

There are lots of wise supportive people here btw - make maximum use of them :)

Mine had £20 pm and what they earned from the paper round. Mobile and football subs paid for along with any bus fares required. Not a huge amount of present buying so I paid but they were expected to save for mine, DH and his DS presents. Paid for clothes unless I thought it was unnecessary.

DS is now in Y12 and this till applies although he has extra wages now as well.

Rascalls3 - my DS and mates pay for sweets with their cards even if it is a pound

my dd 16 gets £15 a week, phone contract £32 and gym membership £20.
she has no set chores but happily clears table after meals/washes up.
shes looking for a part time job at mo so wen she works the £15 per wk will stop, ill still pay phone and gym though

My son is 12 and gets £5 a week each from me and from his grandma so around £40-£50 per month depending on how many weeks are in the month. He has just been given a bank account with a card so it goes directly into there.