How to get a teen to save money?

[Eekaboo]

Hi all, i'm in a bit of a muddle. Teen not yet 16 wants to spend £300 on a computer screen, with crypto currency he's mined (which in his eyes means he's earned it and it's his to spend how he likes). Honestly I think £300 is an obscene amount for a teen to spend on a screen. I said he's spending half only (which is still too much imo) - £150 - and putting rest in savings. We're at a stand-off.
Even having said if he has that amount to throw at a computer he can buy his own clothes from now on has made no difference but we got a load of sarcasm. Probably he's a bit surprised, but he's not budging.
I've been down the 'i'm your mother and you'll do as I say' route. I've tried appealing to his charity - i even said 'fine, buy the monitor but you'll be filling a trolley for the Food Bank after'. AIBU?? He's learning about money, he's learning about computers - he wants to work in tech.
TL:DR can i stop my under 16 teen spending on something I don't agree with if it's money he's earned?
Thanks 

Watching with interest. I don't know. I'd say you need to keep the communication open. Can you think of anything he'd prefer to invest in?

he HAS earned it. it's his money. You are unreasonable.

@coodawoodashooda

Watching with interest. I don't know. I'd say you need to keep the communication open. Can you think of anything he'd prefer to invest in?

Thanks. Not that I know of. He's very single-minded. He suggested shares in an off-hand way but that seems a precarious option 😬

@greatauntfanny

he HAS earned it. it's his money. You are unreasonable.

Thanks, and yes, fair enough

Mine had their own money at that age.
They bought their own fashion clothes and concert tickets.
If they spent their spends and wage on a computer screen then that was up to them. It was their money

@jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey

Mine had their own money at that age. They bought their own fashion clothes and concert tickets. If they spent their spends and wage on a computer screen then that was up to them. It was their money

Yeah, fair point. Thanks

I'd let him buy the screen.
I hate crypto-currency for env damage they do, though. That would be my issue.

@lljkk

I'd let him buy the screen. I hate crypto-currency for env damage they do, though. That would be my issue.

Yeah the env damage is also in there. Thanks for reply

I'd have serious concerns about the environmental impact but having said that your son had good earning potential as a tech career if he ever wants to get into it. I'd personally let it go. There's worst things to spend money on and it would aid him earning even more money!

I find this really hard but you can't control how he spends his money (and whilst it's not my thing at least it's something he will use)
I agree with encouraging spending but that is separate to the issue of buying the screen.

@Eekaboo

Hi all, i'm in a bit of a muddle. Teen not yet 16 wants to spend £300 on a computer screen, with crypto currency he's mined (which in his eyes means he's earned it and it's his to spend how he likes). Honestly I think £300 is an obscene amount for a teen to spend on a screen. I said he's spending half only (which is still too much imo) - £150 - and putting rest in savings. We're at a stand-off. Even having said if he has that amount to throw at a computer he can buy his own clothes from now on has made no difference but we got a load of sarcasm. Probably he's a bit surprised, but he's not budging. I've been down the 'i'm your mother and you'll do as I say' route. I've tried appealing to his charity - i even said 'fine, buy the monitor but you'll be filling a trolley for the Food Bank after'. AIBU?? He's learning about money, he's learning about computers - he wants to work in tech. TL:DR can i stop my under 16 teen spending on something I don't agree with if it's money he's earned? Thanks 

Thanks all - food for thought. I think we need another chat in our household along the lines of us learning to step back and leave the kid to it!🤞😳

@Ducksurprise

I find this really hard but you can't control how he spends his money (and whilst it's not my thing at least it's something he will use) I agree with encouraging spending but that is separate to the issue of buying the screen.

Thanks, yeah, i think you're right

This is something they need to learn by their self. If he spends £300 on a screen then that is £300 he is not able to spend on something else. Let him waste money he has earned, after a while the value of money will sink in.

@JellyBabiesFan

This is something they need to learn by their self. If he spends £300 on a screen then that is £300 he is not able to spend on something else. Let him waste money he has earned, after a while the value of money will sink in.

Yes i think you're right, thanks

He did earn the money and it’s not a crazy sum to spend. Personally, I would want to check out the item he was planning to purchase and make and go over the pros and cons of that version vs others. Basically, make sure he has researched the purchase properly.

As for encouraging saving, I’m a fan of offering matching. If he puts 150 in savings and leaves it there for at least a year, you will add another 150. Or maybe you say whatever he can save by the time he is 18 (up to a cap that you can afford) you will match. That way you don’t have to track deposits and withdrawals as closely.

He should contribute towards your leccy bill too if mining at home. It’s not free to mine

If you spend all your money you'll have nothing to spend.

Its his money and a computer screen is a proper thing to buy. It's not like he's spending it on weed.
And its still your responsibility to feed and clothe him. You're being totally unreasonable.