Pocket Money for Teens | ExpatWoman.com
 

Pocket Money for Teens

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EW GURU
Latest post on 25 February 2012 - 21:50

I am curious, as I am considering what would be an appropriate amount for my DS1, he gets 75dhs per week for daily snack at school, but to add a top up for weekend spends, what would you suggest, or what do you give your teens?

thanks in advance

for better English
<em>edited by loube on 26/02/2012</em>

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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 11:36
IF we were living in UK, at 13 years children can do a paper round for pay...so many Brits feel that they want to give their own child a chance to earn some pocket money, and as these types of jobs are not available for young teens to take on in Dubai, parents look for a few 'paid-for' chores around the house to simulate the effect...hope you understand edited by loube on 01/03/2012 Yes I do understand, but I feel that the kids should do more studying and less work, so I would prefer to reward good grades than chores, that's all. Saying that, I rarely get the opportunity to reward for grades, but have offered if they wish to take me up on it!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 10:57
My kids don't get pocket money. We give as and when required. They take a packed lunch from home. mine don't at the moment, ages 8, 10 and 12...but I am looking into it for the 12 year old.....as he is now managing his weekly snack money well (was not managing at all last term) I just don't believe in paying for them to do chores. They should always help around the house, but not in return for money, IMHO. Anyway, nobody can answer the question of how much to give. It depends on the expense of their hobbies (DD has a hobby of shopping in Paris Gallery, DS wants for nothing.....) and it depends on how much spare money you have to give. For me, the amount is always a sensitive area, as it is the multiplier effect of having 3 kids, as times goes on they will all join with the same thing, unless I have a lobotomy whilst moving countries (which has been known to happen) Regarding your comment about chores, IF we were living in UK, at 13 years children can do a paper round for pay...so many Brits feel that they want to give their own child a chance to earn some pocket money, and as these types of jobs are not available for young teens to take on in Dubai, parents look for a few 'paid-for' chores around the house to simulate the effect...hope you understand <em>edited by loube on 01/03/2012</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 28 February 2012 - 17:27
My kids don't get pocket money. We give as and when required. They take a packed lunch from home. mine don't at the moment, ages 8, 10 and 12...but I am looking into it for the 12 year old.....as he is now managing his weekly snack money well (was not managing at all last term) I just don't believe in paying for them to do chores. They should always help around the house, but not in return for money, IMHO. Anyway, nobody can answer the question of how much to give. It depends on the expense of their hobbies (DD has a hobby of shopping in Paris Gallery, DS wants for nothing.....) and it depends on how much spare money you have to give.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 28 February 2012 - 17:24
My kids don't get pocket money. We give as and when required. They take a packed lunch from home. mine don't at the moment, ages 8, 10 and 12...but I am looking into it for the 12 year old.....as he is now managing his weekly snack money well (was not managing at all last term)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 28 February 2012 - 06:34
My kids don't get pocket money. We give as and when required. They take a packed lunch from home.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 28 February 2012 - 01:23
Group of 6 of my friends employ each other's children for gardening, car washing, taking out younger siblings, baby sitting, dog walking etc. The older kids are then working for their money and not just doing chores in the house that they should do for free. The adults get things done, the kids have jobs and pocket money and everyone is happy. Spongemonkey, you should maybe try a little creative thought. Friends? You have friends? You have group of 6 friends???? What am I doing wrong? Oh, dorter doesn't get pocket money, we work on the same principles as NotMyRealName's family. She has known no means no since she was a baby and she gets a yes for reasonable requests. She is very keen to earn her own money to go to concerts in Europe in the summer.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 27 February 2012 - 22:49
Group of 6 of my friends employ each other's children for gardening, car washing, taking out younger siblings, baby sitting, dog walking etc. The older kids are then working for their money and not just doing chores in the house that they should do for free. The adults get things done, the kids have jobs and pocket money and everyone is happy. Spongemonkey, you should maybe try a little creative thought. I suppose some people would not consider this " work that has to be paid for " but family responsibility........ and there is no need to get nasty - everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 February 2012 - 22:25
Loube - We started with 50 Dirhams a month about a year or so ago. Before that she would get 10 Dirhams a week (if we remembered!). We upped it to 80 dirhams this months as we wanted to give her more financial responsibility. She particularly wanted to get something that we didn't think it was necessary for us to pay for but she is VERY keen to have. We thought that if she really wanted it so badly she could save and budget for it herself. On the 'job' list are things such as making bed, hanging washing out, emptying dishwasher, making a cup of tea (for someone else - not herself!), helping make dinner/lunch etc etc. As I said, each job is only worth 1 - 5 dirhams but it can soon add up if she really wants it to! .She also has 'from the heart' jobs - ie jobs that just help around the house for no monetary gain. The 15 dirhams for the car is for cleaning inside. thanks so much for your help, this feels like the right route for me....and I ilke the idea of 'from the heart' jobs
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 February 2012 - 13:50
Loube - We started with 50 Dirhams a month about a year or so ago. Before that she would get 10 Dirhams a week (if we remembered!). We upped it to 80 dirhams this months as we wanted to give her more financial responsibility. She particularly wanted to get something that we didn't think it was necessary for us to pay for but she is VERY keen to have. We thought that if she really wanted it so badly she could save and budget for it herself. On the 'job' list are things such as making bed, hanging washing out, emptying dishwasher, making a cup of tea (for someone else - not herself!), helping make dinner/lunch etc etc. As I said, each job is only worth 1 - 5 dirhams but it can soon add up if she really wants it to! .She also has 'from the heart' jobs - ie jobs that just help around the house for no monetary gain. The 15 dirhams for the car is for cleaning inside.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 February 2012 - 13:19
Group of 6 of my friends employ each other's children for gardening, car washing, taking out younger siblings, baby sitting, dog walking etc. The older kids are then working for their money and not just doing chores in the house that they should do for free. The adults get things done, the kids have jobs and pocket money and everyone is happy. Spongemonkey, you should maybe try a little creative thought. *Much like*
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 February 2012 - 13:12
Group of 6 of my friends employ each other's children for gardening, car washing, taking out younger siblings, baby sitting, dog walking etc. The older kids are then working for their money and not just doing chores in the house that they should do for free. The adults get things done, the kids have jobs and pocket money and everyone is happy. Spongemonkey, you should maybe try a little creative thought.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 February 2012 - 12:04
I never got any pocket money as a child/teen. We were expected to help out around the house of course and i don't ever remember feeling put out by it. Even when i offered to do extra work around the house, my mother always said "Why would i pay you to do something i'm perfectly capable of doing myself?" She packed our lunches and we ate them except on special occasions, like hot dog day at school when they gave us money. When i was a teenager i had to ask for money every time i wanted anything and i think it kept me in my place. I would explain what i wanted to do or buy and they would say yes or no. If it was money for a movie and popcorn on a weekend they would give me enough money and let me go. If i wanted to go on a private jet to disneyland, they would laugh at me. If i wanted to buy some clothes and they were appropriate my mom paid for them and i was happy. i eventually leant what my mom and dad would and wouldn't pay for and they were always very logical and reasonable, and that's how i developed a sense of right and wrong. Looking back i never felt like i had to beg for money, but i was never given any without accounting exactly where it was going to go. If i could make a case for it, i could have it. Not sure if it would work for all families but it worked for us. <em>edited by NotMyRealName on 27/02/2012</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 February 2012 - 10:18
I do think it depends on the child's age. Mine is almost 13 as with the OP. We have just increased her pocket money to 80 Dirhams a month and she is able to supplement that by doing jobs around the house. We have a list of jobs and their 'value' - only between 1 - 5 dirhams each (except cleaning the car which is 15). If she wants or needs extra money she can make more of an effort to do more jobs - this has particularly worked in the months leading up to Christmas and she feels so proud that she is able to use the money she has earned to buy everyone presents. We buy all her 'necessaries'. If she wants magazines, sweets, extra clothes and the like she must use her own money or save for them. It's not set in stone but we are hoping that it will help her to learn the value of money and that you can't always have what you want when you want it. What value of pocket money did you begin with? thanks
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 February 2012 - 10:17
I do think it depends on the child's age. Mine is almost 13 as with the OP. We have just increased her pocket money to 80 Dirhams a month and she is able to supplement that by doing jobs around the house. We have a list of jobs and their 'value' - only between 1 - 5 dirhams each (except cleaning the car which is 15). If she wants or needs extra money she can make more of an effort to do more jobs - this has particularly worked in the months leading up to Christmas and she feels so proud that she is able to use the money she has earned to buy everyone presents. We buy all her 'necessaries'. If she wants magazines, sweets, extra clothes and the like she must use her own money or save for them. It's not set in stone but we are hoping that it will help her to learn the value of money and that you can't always have what you want when you want it. Now this is a good idea, I like the idea of list of jobs and the prices to earn extra. I pay 20 dhs for cleaning out the guinea *** cage...but not sure they could do the car....is this 15 dhs for cleaning inside and outside the car? I have told my kids I will not pay for bed making, curtain opening, hanging up clothes and putting dirty laundry in the right place! However I have 3 children and I am concerned that I will not have enough 'jobs' to go around..lol <em>edited by loube on 27/02/2012</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 February 2012 - 10:10
I do think it depends on the child's age. Mine is almost 13 as with the OP. We have just increased her pocket money to 80 Dirhams a month and she is able to supplement that by doing jobs around the house. We have a list of jobs and their 'value' - only between 1 - 5 dirhams each (except cleaning the car which is 15). If she wants or needs extra money she can make more of an effort to do more jobs - this has particularly worked in the months leading up to Christmas and she feels so proud that she is able to use the money she has earned to buy everyone presents. We buy all her 'necessaries'. If she wants magazines, sweets, extra clothes and the like she must use her own money or save for them. It's not set in stone but we are hoping that it will help her to learn the value of money and that you can't always have what you want when you want it.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 17:16
My 18 year old is at Uni here and gets 1,000 per month. He struggles on that with his hectic social life and finds he needs to stay home the last weekend of the month :) He has it deducted as appropriate as punishments. In order to receive it every month he needs to fulfill certain obligations around the house, otherwise, no wages. His friends get around the same although some get more and some a LOT more, but as I have answered to his pleas, you should have ordered rich parents and not us then! :)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 15:25
My 17 yr old gets 550 per month to cover all his expenses, lunches if he doesnt like what is in the fridge, taxis, entertainment. We still buy most of his clothes unless it is deemed an 'extra'. Seems to get by on this....just. End of the month finds him packing a lunch box!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 15:06
Amazing! When I was 17, I was paying my mum to live under her roof and help pay the bills, not getting hand outs. I know "real" jobs are not really an option here for teens but there are plenty of other ways to earn their own money WTG Highland lass! actually no there aren't.... he babysits for friends but i can't think of anything else... ETA - i wouldn't be so insulting as to describe his pocket money as a "hand out".... <em>edited by Sue62 on 26/02/2012</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 15:02
what ages did you start to give pocket money? I just give the money when they want something, they do odd jobs, vacuum car interior, clean guinea *** cage....some other random jobs I can think of....only offered in school holidays. I guess cause my eldest is 12, nearly 13 I am starting out with the idea to give money per week, but not sure if the timing is good yet, he does not have a phone
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 14:38
No I don't think there are plenty of other ways for them to earn money.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 13:11
Amazing! When I was 17, I was paying my mum to live under her roof and help pay the bills, not getting hand outs. I know "real" jobs are not really an option here for teens but there are plenty of other ways to earn their own money WTG Highland lass!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 13:00
18 and 16 year olds get 500 per month, to include phone, metro, entertainment and any outside food not sanctioned by me! 11 year old gets 30 per week and entertainment paid by me as he is still supervised. Everyone gets a complete wardrobe overhaul each year, in the summer holidays, any additional fashion items they have to purchase from their money. The older boys also do odd jobs as they come up, and all have deductions if chores are not done! I'm with you highland lass! They can eat Lunch boxes or not - they choose but no alternative, although I do occasionally give them 15dhs to spend in the school cafe, VERY occasionally!
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 12:51
My 2 teens (15 and 17) get 500 dhs a month each and have to budget for phone credit, going out, birthday presents and some clothes. I buy basic clothes but if they want extras they have to buy. I was getting so sick of forking out 100dhs everytime a friend had a birthday. They both earn extra money doing baby-sitting.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 09:29
125 dhs a week plus lunch money. He likes to shop for his own clothes but we pay and we also pay for his phone credit (though he buys his own phones). He pays for his own "entertainment" but if he's got a special trip we may give him some extra spending money.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 09:22
Hope my kids don't read this! They get 25dhs a week for which they have to do extra choirs. For every choir not done 5 dhs is deducted (I don't remind/nag them) No money for school snack. If they don't like what I put in the lunchbox, Tough. From this they save for things they want. They will sometimes agree in advance to club together to buy an xbox game or something they both want.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 08:57
You buy them...most boys hate shopping,so I just buy them for him then if he doesn't like it take them back.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 08:40
thx to both of you.....my son is nearly 13, and he has the 15 dhs a day for school snack, but it is useful to read about the rest, so I suppose without phone, it would be okay to give about 50 -75 dhs,....I was thinking 50 dhs to start with, also does anyone give kids a clothing allowance, or is it less expensive to keep buying as and when, due to growth and irrational choices a teen may make when choosing their own clothes
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 07:26
Our 2 17 year olds take lunch boxes to school and get AED300 per month. They don't however have to pay for everything, we do contribute for special occasions.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 07:18
DS gets 15dhs per day for his lunch at school as well as 150 pw for pocket money. He has to pay for phone credit,movies,food,taxis etc. with that
 
 

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