We currently give 16yo DSD a generous amount of pocket money - $50 per week but out of that she's expected to buy: mobile phone credit, clothes, public transport fares, nights out with friends so cinema/coffee/etc. So although it seems a lot we don't give her extra because we want her to learn to save for things and make decisions about what's more important - the top she's just seen or going to the movies.
She also wants to take driving lessons and wants to get a part-time job.
She's been a bit slack about finding one but I think she is serious about it because she wants to pay for driving lessons.
I don't want to penalise her for getting a job by taking her pocket money away but at the same time I think she's on a pretty good wicket getting $50 a week when she can now legally work.
What did you do?
I think perhaps a fair compromise would be to outline what chores she's expected to do to earn the $50. We've been a bit hazy about it and she's been a bit hazy about doing them too so theirs fault on both part.
I thought about putting the $50 per week into a savings account for her which she can access when she's 18 if she needs a rental deposit/pay for a car (or whatever) but that seems to defeat the purpose of her learning to manage her money if we do that.
wow - $50 a week! that's more then I get to spend on me and the kids!But obviously your happy with that amount so, no judgement from me, you are a very generous person.
I would think that doing up a chore list and ensuring that the jobs get done on that list before she gets the money. However I would also list specific chores that you require her to do regardless of whether or not she earns her pocket money. This way if she chooses not to do her chores and earn her pocket money, it doesn't mean that she will feel entitled to not pull her weight at all in the household.
You might also consider breaking the list down with each job listed for a certain price, of course then you cann't complain if she just chooses to do certain jobs but not others.
I would also be starting this before she gets a job, so she knows right from the start what is expected from her and where she stands on the money front.
I guess it really depends on what sort of job she gets, because I remember my first job and I certainly wasnt bringing home very much money. Maybe if she is making more than the $50 she is already getting, instead of still giving her an allowance you can tell her you will pay for half of each driving lesson, or offer to put that $50 away each week towards the costs of getting a car.
That to me seems like quite a lot, and I think she may think that getting a job is not necessary for her. Mine receive their age amount in dollars a week. ie my 13 year old receives $13 etc, 10 year old, $10. They are expected to do their chores though, like feed the cats, keep their room tidy, occassionally vaccum, dishes etc. Jess is 15 and has been working close to a year now. She earns no pocket money any more but works at McDonalds part time around school and does what she wishes with her hard earned money. She has certainly learnt to appreciate how much work goes into earning it and while she spends it, is considered in what she does buy. She is currently earning anywhere between $60 - $120 a week.
We had to earn our pocket money by doing jobs. I think when I was 17 I got $20 a fortnight!!!
We also got jobs when we were old enough and I have a feeling pocket moeny stopped but we still had to do jobs and we ahd to bank half our money we earnt.
When I wanted to do driving lessons, I got given them as birthday presents and Christmas presents from all my family. Maybe you could look at doing that for her.
Just want to reiterate that we don't buy her ANYTHING apart from giving her pocket money. She pays for all clothes herself - including shoes, winter coat etc. etc. If she runs out and has no money to go out with her mates, too bad. If she wants to go to her school formal, she'll need to save for a dress etc. etc.
Don't get me wrong, I DO think it's a generous amount but when I see the amount of stuff that people buy for their teenagers, including paying their mobile phone bills, I think what we spend on her is reasonable (compared to our income).
Teenagers: Pocket Money If They Have A Job?
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