Pocket Money for Teenagers | ExpatWoman.com
 

Pocket Money for Teenagers

211
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 15:33

How much pocket money do teenagers get and what are they expected to buy with it?

I give my teen extra to go out for meals and movies occasionally with his friends but would like to get him to budget himself as he is older now - I was wondering what the average is here?

5400
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 14:33
Thanks, SW but as I had thought these opportunities are few and far here - so many people have maids, gardeners/car washers. I have found that it is even difficult for them to get voluntary work here ( so much red tape). In the absence of regular work opportunities, we have "given" pocket money in the past and we don't have "spoilt brats" - quite the opposite in fact - and manage their money now. I don't think you are a rare breed who believes in education and values. You are not rare, I am sure. Well i suppose spoilt brats is based on ones own perspective really, who does admit to having them? She's spoilt with love, at least, but not too bratty. Oh, actually, yes, I think her teachers here find her bratty. Oh, so, I have to admit to having a spoilt brat. Not in the way that she is given everything she asks for, but since arriving in Dubai, she has expected full maid service and the only live-in maid is me..
1511
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 14:11
Thanks, SW but as I had thought these opportunities are few and far here - so many people have maids, gardeners/car washers. I have found that it is even difficult for them to get voluntary work here ( so much red tape). In the absence of regular work opportunities, we have "given" pocket money in the past and we don't have "spoilt brats" - quite the opposite in fact - and manage their money now. I don't think you are a rare breed who believes in education and values. You are not rare, I am sure. Well i suppose spoilt brats is based on ones own perspective really, who does admit to having them?
4329
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 12:23
Thanks, SW but as I had thought these opportunities are few and far here - so many people have maids, gardeners/car washers. I have found that it is even difficult for them to get voluntary work here ( so much red tape). In the absence of regular work opportunities, we have "given" pocket money in the past and we don't have "spoilt brats" - quite the opposite in fact - and manage their money now. I don't think you are a rare breed who believes in education and values. You are not rare, I am sure.
1511
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 April 2011 - 21:53
What were your suggestions, SW, in the absence of the usual jobs? Car washing, Ironing, babysitting, lawn mowing, gardening, helping out with some of the party organisers, ie Me & Riley have teens work parties for them. There are a few things out there older teens can do, dependant on transport, area etc. Older teens can go and work in the holidays abroad.
4329
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 09 April 2011 - 16:22
What were your suggestions, SW, in the absence of the usual jobs?
319
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 April 2011 - 14:27
I am finding this thread really interesting. We are about to take over guardianship of a 15 year old, so this is all completely new to me. I worked from the age of 13, so paid for everything myself from that point, whereas formal working isn't possible here for them - so I was wondering how this was going to work. Clearly everyone has different ideas on what is appropriate and right for your family, but it is really good to get some different perspectives. edited by TanyaR on 09/04/2011 Yes it is very subjective to ones own values/beliefs/morals/perspective. Taking on a 15 year old is going to be tough, PM will be the least of your issues and until really settled restrict money in the hand. Good luck. Thanks SW. Yes, we have an tough time ahead of us, I am putting in place as many strategies as I can to integrate him into his new life as smoothly as possible, and feel I have the 'larger' issues under control (famous last words). At the moment, I am tackling the smaller day-to-day runnings, like pocket money, curfews, chores, that I am wanting to get more of a 'relativity' perspective on. I know teenagers struggle with the move as it is coming with their parents, let alone leaving everything (family/friends/country) to come here, so I have been covering a lot of ground in a short space of time to get up to speed. To be honest, he has some behavioural issues, that we will be working on as a family, and with the assistance of an external counsellor, and his teachers, so he won't be getting any pocket money to start with anyway. We have an opportunity to make a real difference in his life, he has instigated and is committed to making change, and he is family, so we will do everything in our power to support that. Hopefully, with everything I have put in place, we won't need luck, but, I will take all I can get at the moment!!!
1511
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 April 2011 - 12:45
I am finding this thread really interesting. We are about to take over guardianship of a 15 year old, so this is all completely new to me. I worked from the age of 13, so paid for everything myself from that point, whereas formal working isn't possible here for them - so I was wondering how this was going to work. Clearly everyone has different ideas on what is appropriate and right for your family, but it is really good to get some different perspectives. edited by TanyaR on 09/04/2011 Yes it is very subjective to ones own values/beliefs/morals/perspective. Taking on a 15 year old is going to be tough, PM will be the least of your issues and until really settled restrict money in the hand. Good luck.
319
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 April 2011 - 11:09
I am finding this thread really interesting. We are about to take over guardianship of a 15 year old, so this is all completely new to me. I worked from the age of 13, so paid for everything myself from that point, whereas formal working isn't possible here for them - so I was wondering how this was going to work. Clearly everyone has different ideas on what is appropriate and right for your family, but it is really good to get some different perspectives. <em>edited by TanyaR on 09/04/2011</em>
296
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 April 2011 - 10:09
Just give them what they want....why be miserable? Absolutely it's the way forward :)
876
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 April 2011 - 10:00
Just give them what they want....why be miserable?
1511
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 April 2011 - 09:58
I always laugh at those who very proudly tell us all that they don't give their children pocket money because they don't work for it but...........when the child wants to go to movies, skiing, wants a new skate board, it's given to them.........so what exactly did the kids do to earn those then? Pocket money is part of a very important life lesson, it teaches children to work with money over a period of time, save for something they really want and to be able to earn more depending on the job done. My son has a set of chores he must do to earn AED 400 per month. If he does not complete these chores, he has money deducted and if he does extra, he has money added. He may borrow money from us interest free over a period of 6 months and after that he begins paying a small amount of interest. Teabag, I hope this helps, I believe AED 100 per week is enough. Your son sounds like a great kid helping you so much! I always laugh at those who proudly tell us they teach their children about the value of money by teaching borrowing! LOL Boy that's a great life lesson isn't it.
4329
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 08 April 2011 - 19:47
Possibly it is, tally ho , but we never caved into the "so and so 's parents give them xoo dhs for every A* they get"etc etc. which I heard a lot of in Dubai. The money we give now is for living off while at Universities but we don't give a amount for each exam passed. We have worked out what we think is reasonable plus a bit extra as stated before. <em>edited by spongemonkey on 08/04/2011</em>
648
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 April 2011 - 19:10
What do we do.... we give money and prefer that jobs are not taken ( in the UK during term time) as we want concentration on study - we give more than is necessary so that they have the option to put some aside so that they don't have to ask for "extras" for say , a weekend away or similar. Is that not the same as paying for good grades? You are giving your child money so he/she can concentrate on his/her work. Im treating my DDs time at school as a job, the better she does the more money she makes but out of that money she has to save a quarter and pay me a quarter so she’s left with half her pocket money, similar to real life. Im just trying to make her aware from a young age (13)to respect money. Its defiantly working as she has consistently achieved As since I started giving her money, whatever works for each individual family I suppose. When she reaches Uni age I would do as you are doing for the same reasons.
23
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 April 2011 - 18:30
We believe strongly in pocket-money as a way for the children to learn about the value of money, and give once a month, so they have to learn to budget over a substantial time period. We have a range of ages, and have a set scale of what we pay. 6-10 years old get 25 dhs a month. 10-12 years 50 dhs a month. 12-14 years get 75 dhs a month pocket money and 100 dhs clothing allowance, 14-16 years get 100 dhs a month pocket money and 200 dhs clothing allowance. Pocket money is spent on cinema, sweets, toys etc. Clothing allowance is for spending on anything non-school and non-sport. We will pay half of shoes we approve of! For the older children we pay taxis if we are not available to chauffer, and approve of where they are going and what they are doing, otherwise they have to pay half. We pay any bus fares. We will also pay for books, as want them to be reading! When we go anywhere as a family, we also pay. Makes family trips more attractive to teenagers! I see we are on a the low end of the scale, compared to the 100 dhs a week that most seem to be paying, but so far no complaints from the children! We figure around 2 trips to the cinema a month is more than enough, don't want them hanging around malls anyway, and most activities around where we live, such as swimming, tennis, football with friends are free anyway. Would find it easier if more children had to budget, as they seem to have friends who can shop and go to the cinema whenever they want to. But that's life, and also a learning experience for them.
4329
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 08 April 2011 - 15:11
A verry interesting range of answers here - from those who think their children have to earn it by chores to those who think that it ( chores) is just something that they should be doing to help out the family and should not be tied into money. Paying money for grades - have heard of that too many times here but not really one I agree with. Loaning money and interest - new one to me! Perhaps SW can suggest to other parents what options there are here for youngsters to earn money as she is right in saying that the usual things that people do - work in McDs, paper rounds etc - are not an option here? @ ariVW - in your first post you say you give 70 - 100 dhs but in your second you say they should earn it.. what does your daughter do? I am sure people would be interested to hear suggestions. What do we do.... we give money and prefer that jobs are not taken ( in the UK during term time) as we want concentration on study - we give more than is necessary so that they have the option to put some aside so that they don't have to ask for "extras" for say , a weekend away or similar.
20
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 April 2011 - 13:21
We give to our teeny girl 70aed/sunday; all the money are handed at 1st of the month according to how many sundays. She keeps and "accountacy book" in order to check on what she is spending all her money. If she is doing any mistake, money will be deducted from the next month allowance. If she is spending everything in once, than bad luck for the rest of time:) Also to get her PM , we set some rules for her to follow. Clothes, school trips or family outgoings we are paying. She pays for her outgoings with her friends only, or if she wishes to get something what we consider is unnecessary :)I'm very proud of her, because she learned very fast to appreciate the value of the money and to follow the rules set. [b'>TEABAG: Hats off for your sons![/b'> My "little girl" helps me also a lot with house work,we don't accept any maid in our home!
46
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 21:23
Thursday night thread..
46
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 20:42
oh what a big shame Sticky Wick is at that old 80s concert..
5
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 20:20
We give 500 dhs a week each to our two teen girls and they still want more! They use it for going out clubbning and concerts.
648
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 18:56
I give DD £40 monthly paid into her bank account in return for good grades at school (every piece of work she does at school is graded so if work comes home below standard she will forfeit £1 per grade). Out of that money she pays me £10 towards her keep, £10 goes into a savings account and the rest is hers to spend. I also give her money for the end of term and half term grade sheets A s are worth £10, Bs are worth £8 etc out of this money she buys her clothes, I Tune vouchers or whatever else she wants.
46
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 18:40
Oh playgirl - wait until Sticky Wicket sees this - she will be hopping mad!
266
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 18:28
He may borrow money from us interest free over a period of 6 months and after that he begins paying a small amount of interest. really? ETA: not judging, curious to know if/how it works <em>edited by ashesf on 07/04/2011</em>
20
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 17:31
I always laugh at those who very proudly tell us all that they don't give their children pocket money because they don't work for it but...........when the child wants to go to movies, skiing, wants a new skate board, it's given to them.........so what exactly did the kids do to earn those then? Pocket money is part of a very important life lesson, it teaches children to work with money over a period of time, save for something they really want and to be able to earn more depending on the job done. My son has a set of chores he must do to earn AED 400 per month. If he does not complete these chores, he has money deducted and if he does extra, he has money added. He may borrow money from us interest free over a period of 6 months and after that he begins paying a small amount of interest. Teabag, I hope this helps, I believe AED 100 per week is enough. Your son sounds like a great kid helping you so much!
81
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 17:30
I hope you are not referring to my posting since I gave you a view of what we do. Teabag if that was my boy I would be giving him at least 100-125dhs a week. Sod the rest who don't believe in any pocketmoney ;)
211
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 17:16
WOW. I just wanted to know how much is a reasonable amount for spending money for a teenager! FYI My son didn't ask for extra for babysitting his brothers and would do it without payment, but we appreciate that is saves us nanny fees and so he gets to share the benefit. He also has to stay home when sometimes he would rather be out with his friends or playing in the park in order to watch his brothers for me. We are not talking regular babysitting either, one of his brothers is disabled. He is my right hand man when his dad is out at work, we have no maid and he does more than your average teenager should ever have to. Are we bribing him? Is he a brat? All my kids help out at home, without payment, and my pre teen gets only 15 dhs a week which he can either spend on sweets or drinks or save up to buy games or something. Just spending money really. He doesn't go out with friends without an adult yet so doesn't need any more. I resent the suggestion that my kids are either spoiled expat brats or mercenary but I suppose I should have expected that a simple question would result in judgement. <em>edited by Teabag on 07/04/2011</em>
46
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 16:52
No pocket money only send cash for tuck and phone top up at school, about £20 a term. and this is helpful - how? or are you just trying to remind us that you have kids at boarding school? big deal! WOW THAT'S SOME CHIP ON YOUR SHOULDER MUCKY. How is it helpful, well goodness i dunno maybe by mentioning they don't get pocket money? Keep forgetting i'm a rare breed who believes in education and values rather than spolit expat brats who are handed money for doing nowt. Are you a rare breed who believes in education and values rather than spolit ( sic) brats who are handed money for doing nowt? SW, you really are the best and I am sorry that I said you were boasting. we should all learn from your wise ways.
192
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 16:51
I give my teen, just as most people do back home, a clothing allowance. This means he needs to buy his own clothes (for free time, not anything relating to school), books, or any other things he wants to spend it on. He gets 250 dhs a month and I must say he spends it wisely :D I think they have to learn how to budget their own money and getting a job here isn't as easy as back home. His friends back home all have jobs; working at certain fast-food chain, picking apples in the orchards, baby-sitting. But he can't do that here.... So this money is strictly his and if he wants to blow his entire monthly money on a pair of trainers that will cost him 2 months worth, so be it... I must admit he is not one to go out much, so doesn't have to spend much in that respect. But it is giving him a fair outlook on how far his money reaches :cool:
81
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 16:45
We give our pre-teens 200 dhs a month and it is not linked to chores. We don't believe in rewarding chores with (pocket) money. Similarly we don't reward or bribe behaviour with food, toys or money. Pocketmoney is pocketmoney. Chores are chores. Food is food. They learn the value of each separately. Brats have no place in our home.
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 16:29
I agree with SW. nothing comes from nothing. If 15 years old wants some extra cash she/he must earn. And not from babysitting his/her own siblings. Im very sorry but what kind of a lesson you’re giving your teen: he must take care of brother for money, and if there is no money, no care then or what?:\: <em>edited by AriVW on 07/04/2011</em>
115
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 16:19
So at 100 dhs a week you are effectively giving your teens over £60 a month for doing what exactly? What life lesson are you teaching your teens by giving them money for nothing in return, just because? How many of you did paper rounds, worked weekends for a not even half that when you were young? Would you give your 5 yer old 100 dhs a week pocket money? What's the difference? 100 dhs in dubai goes nowhere near as far as 20 quid though to be fair, there isn't much you can do with 100 dhs!
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY