Reasonable financial allowance for kids age 12 and 14

[crummyusername]

Hi, just as the title says really! I've still got a system where my kids get a small amount of pocket money (£2 a week) so of course ask me for money for things all the time. I'd like to get them learning more responsibility for money, and have their own debit cards, bank account etc. So I'm thinking of giving them a larger allowance, but with conditions attached - eg around home chores - and with a very clear understanding of what purchases it covers and what it doesn't.

If I get this set up right from the start I think it will be good, but if I get it wrong it's hard to unwind. I'd really appreciate any views as I really don't know what's sensible. Nb my older DS14 is impulsive and not very sensible with money; younger DS12 is much better; and I'd want to give them both the same amount.

Mine get £35 a month for clothes (I buy uniform, shoes and coats) going out with friends, school lunch (they can make a packlunch for free) and presents for friends. Mine are 17, 15 and 12. The older two now have jobs and the 12 year old will when she is 13.

Very interesting post. We have always linked chores to pocket money but it hasn't worked.Good to read that most families don't link the two. We have never consistently given pocket money but DD14 is looking for money all the time. Her behaviour is not great atm be honest so I'm reluctant to give her pocket money as I feel it's rewarding her bad behaviour. However if we pay a monthly amount maybe she will budget and appreciate it more. A lot to think about and some good advice here.

I was given my child benefit money when I was a teenager and wanted to do the same for my teenager. We sat down together and worked out how much school uniform would cost over a year plus basic underwear. We added the cost of payments for a basic phone. Then we added up the total child benefit money for the year. Once we deducted the school uniform and phone costs the money left over was theirs. It gets paid weekly into their account.

They pay for all their own non school clothes, presents for friends and family, makeup, fancy toiletries, cinema etc. They also wanted a fancier phone so they pay the difference in cost.

This works for us as dc understands more about what things costs and whether or not they can justify upgrading things like the phone contract. They have had pocket money since the age of 4 and are sensible with money so that does help.

I'm so jealous that people on this thread have kids who spend so little! How can £35 per month cover going out with friends/snacks/cinema etc when one trip to the cinema costs around £20 (with popcorn/drink)?

I meant £25 per month as a few posters said

Every going out with a friend trip is at least(!) £15-20. I don't understand where they would go for it to be cheaper 🤷‍♀️

My 14 year old gets £40 a month. This doesn’t include lunches or phone. He mainly saves it to be honest. He doesn’t get this for doing chores as chores have always been non negotiable in my house as I’ve always worked full time and expected my kids to help. Ds changes his sheets once a week. Hoovers one day a week and will fetch and carry the laundry for me as I have issues with my mobility.

My 12 year old gets a tenner a month but he only spends it on sweets and fortnite skins so it seems to be enough??

We pay for phone, school lunch money and sports club subs on top of that, and still pay for his clothes & toiletries.

We give according to age. It goes up by £10 per month every birthday from age 12. So 12 year old gets £20, 14 year old gets £40 and 18 year old gets £80. They all have Santander debit cards.