Charging keep

[Kerry197878]

Just a query .. my son is 16 ,he left school in June of this year and started college about two weeks ago , he has now dropped out as he has landed a really good apprenticeship where he will be paid around £1000 pm .. now question is should I charge him keep at 16 years old .. my child benefit has stopped and I don't receive any other benefits as I work full time .. his dad (my ex ) previously paid me 25 per week but hasn't paid me for around 3 month now /. And it's not likely he will give me as he knows legally now my son has a job he don't have to pay ?

Just advice on what to do .. I mean if he did give me it wouldn't be a lot .. I also pay my sons phone contract at 60 PM ...

Stop paying for his phone and expect him to fund himself.

Stop paying the phone contract.

I personally wouldn't charge a child under 18, but totally understand why parents who are financially struggling do.

I say yes! He needs to learn budgeting and to pay his own way. He should also pay for his own phone now.
I reckon if you take 10% to start with that’s not too much but a start.

I charged ds 10 %of his wages. He save 10 %. He got a mortgage and a house and is doing great at 24. Very financially savvy!!

I think it would be reasonable for him to pay for his own phone, transport, lunch and clothes on that wage. I would not charge for food at home, rent or household bills at 16, if you are able to afford them.

Could you perhaps charge him a small rent but actually save most or all of the money for him for later instead so when he eventually leaves home he has some extra savings?
I would maybe stop paying the phone contract though and get him to pay that himself out of his wage.

It all depends on if you need it
Get him to pay his own phone contract and lunches and socialising clothes.
if you need it he will understand if he doesn't want to pay it don't but treats etc say you can't afford them.
or
Take some money and save for him when he wants something big but don't tell him you are saving it.

I would charge £25 a week and either put that towards shopping/bills or put it away in a savings account for him depending on circumstances. That would still leave him with £900 a month for his fares lunches & work and anything left for going out and clothes.

I think young people need to learn to pay for things and budget and this is where it starts.

I paid keep from age 16 as I left school in the June and started full time work in July. I can remember my mum let me keep the first weeks money to spend on myself and I felt proud about contributing.

If he is working full time then he should be be paying all his own expenses. I would also charge to make up for the loss in child benefit.

Whatever you do please don’t go down the ‘ take the money and save it for them ‘ route , they need to learn ( if they don’t already know it) to save for themselves . I’d be getting him to pay for his own phone contract as the bare minimum .

You stop paying for his phone, his clothes, his pocket money and he pays for his own lunches but I wouldn't charge rent

Thanks for all your advice .. he has a free bus pass .. but will
He working locally so won't have travel ... I pay currently 75 or something like that for his phone and phone insurance .... I've said he can enjoy the months wage for himself , even though he gets paid weekly .. I've decided to take 20 per week .. so that will cover his phone really .. feel
Guilty taking off him at this age .. 18 years old then yes , but he can pay for his clothes and what ever else he needs .. I've advised him to open a credit union account to encourage him to save x

Thanks guys :):)