Leaving for 4 nights, how much money would you give your teen for food?

[WhoEatsPopTarts]

Dcs are 18, we’re leaving then for four nights so need to leave them so cash to buy food. As they’ll both be going to university in September I think it’s a good opportunity for them to learn how to budget/cook for themselves, but I’m not sure what would be a reasonable amount? It’ll be a school week, so they’ll have the usual amount for lunches and they’ll be a few bits in the freezer/cupboards.

I’d leave £50 and hide some in the house so they wouldn’t be stuck if they mess up.

But I always feel bad, wholly irrationally, for leaving them.

I’d buy food. If it’s a school night why would you want to add food shopping to their day?

Realistically at uni what would their budget be a week? I think that’s a good starting point.
Then think of what they will need milk bread etc.

I’d leave £30 but some in a cupboard too for an emergency.

Presumably they also have access to their own bank accounts if needed?

Yep, I’ve only left them for two night before so I am feeling guilty which I know isn’t logical. They don’t appear to give a stuff 😀. I was thinking around £50 too, thank you.

i Think they’re old enough to manage cooking, I’ve brought them up to be independent.

Of course they can cook. Mid week shopping is a bummer though. I’d leave them food and a bit of cash for emergencies if they don’t have their own.

I wouldn't leave them any money, maybe stash some for emergencies. Buy food in in advance and they have to make do with what is in the cupboards. Better lesson.

I left my ds and girlfriend dog sitting at home for four nights. There was food in the fridge/ freezer and I left them £30 in cash for extras.

I'd be too worried they'd spend it on alcohol and have a house party! I'd buy food. Or have them do an online shop before you leave. Some of the uni students in work told me last week they spend about £20 a week on food. So I think £50 is generous. They will probably eat noodles and toast and cheap food.

Unless you are really conveniently placed for shops, I think it would be a complete ball-ache for them to have to go out and do a mid-week shop when they have school/college all day and are presumably going to be in the thick of revising for A-levels. I would just ask what they wanted to cook and do the shop beforehand. They leave maybe a tenner in case they have forgotten anything or need to top up bread/milk. I would also probably leave them money for a takeaway as a treat one night because I am a big softy.

I would buy food for the week before you go, and leave £20 for extras if they run out of milk or something.

I would just leave £20 in case and have some food in the house. Surely they have their own bank accounts and money if they want a pizza or something?

I'd buy food and leave enough for emergencies and a takeaway.
My 18yr old has left home so sorts herself out.
Mainly spends her money on tattoos/going places, then eats crap, fine by me.

I'd probably leave £30 for 4 nights

I’d probably just stock up the fridge and freezer/cupboards, and if they wanted extra or treats, they could use their allowance.

Leave them food and maybe £20.00 for extras. My teens at that age would use cash for drink and eat whatever they could find in cupboards and freezer. Never mind school nights it would have been party in my house.

I take mine to the supermarket