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Post by luvmygirls on Jun 3, 2015 0:22:57 GMT
My DD has been working at her first job since January. Her check gets direct deposited into an account we share. She has a debit card to use when she wants something. She also saves a good portion of her check. I am wondering what other teens spend their money on? I've noticed that most of her money is being spent of fast food, candy and fountain sodas. There is no need for her to buy food or drinks of any kind because we always have them in the house. I know it's her money to spend how she pleases, but I'm trying to teach her good spending habits. As of now DH and I pay for her phone and car insurance (she pays for her own gas). We are thinking about asking her to start helping out with those bills if she continues to waste money. What would you do?
Update...Thank you all for responding. I really needed to talk to other Moms about this issue and my DDs friends are not working and/or driving yet. I never thought about the social aspect of spending money on fast food. I also didn't know spending money on fast food was normal for teens. When I was a teen, I was a saver and would go without until I got home. I Am very proud of her for all the money she has saved so I'm not going to ask her to pitch in for cell phone or insurance bills. What I'm going to do is print out her last few bank statements and go through them with her. I'm going to let her see what she's spending money on. Maybe then her and I can come up with a budget for her. I want to make sure when she's an adult she understands how to save money and spend wisely.
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Jun 3, 2015 0:28:12 GMT
I think if she's saving a lot of it she should be able to spend some on whatever she wants fountain Cokes, fast food, whatever. I'm sure there's socializing with her friends included in those meals and snacks. Everyone needs "blow money"
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Post by kristi on Jun 3, 2015 0:35:11 GMT
My daughter lacks self control in spending. She buys candy, fast food, movie tickets, clothes, Starbucks, lush bath bombs, books. While I think it is a waste, I am hoping that when she is broke at the young age of 15 that she will rethink her spending habits when she gets older & it matters more. I don't expect her to pay for her phone or things we would normally cover. Her money - her choice.
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Post by leannec on Jun 3, 2015 0:35:39 GMT
My 16 year old dd doesn't have a job so has a very limited amount of money ... I would say all of it is spent on coffee and fast food Meh, when I give it to her she can spend it on what she wants
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Peal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,524
Jun 25, 2014 22:45:40 GMT
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Post by Peal on Jun 3, 2015 0:39:09 GMT
My teen doesn't have a job, though he is desperately looking and having a hard time finding one close to home that hires kids under 18. When he does have money he spends it on computer parts. Which is why he is desperate for a job.
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Post by ihaveonly1l on Jun 3, 2015 0:39:18 GMT
Music, apps, and entry to the rec center
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,831
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Jun 3, 2015 0:40:15 GMT
Why not teach her a modified envelope system?
Gas Food/Snacks entertainment Clothes
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Post by alittleintrepid on Jun 3, 2015 0:41:15 GMT
I think that's pretty typical but it probably couldn't hurt her to have some responsibility for her phone, assuming it's not just *you* she talks to?
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Post by polz on Jun 3, 2015 0:41:51 GMT
Food, movie tickets, clothes, makeup. DD is like her Dad. She could earn $1000 per week and still blow thru it all. I'm making her give me $25 per week to save for college. DD is 15 and has had a part time job in a pizza place for two years.
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,295
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
Jul 6, 2014 21:50:44 GMT
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Post by lesley on Jun 3, 2015 0:43:22 GMT
I'm intrigued by you having a shared account with your teen. How does that work? Both my teens spend a fair bit on fast food and sweets. As akathy said, it's as much a socialising thing as anything. I know what you mean about it seeming like a waste of money, but it is their money. And I would absolutely have your DD contribute to household expenses, however she spends her money. My DD20 is on disability benefits, and she gives me between 25% and 33% of them every month towards her 'keep'. She needs to know that her benefit is not just for taxis, McDonalds and new clothes. It means when she eventually moves out (if she is ever well enough to), that she already has an appreciation for how much things like broadband, electricity and insurance cost!
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jun 3, 2015 0:50:40 GMT
I'm intrigued by you having a shared account with your teen. How does that work? Both my teens spend a fair bit on fast food and sweets. As akathy said, it's as much a socialising thing as anything. I know what you mean about it seeming like a waste of money, but it is their money. And I would absolutely have your DD contribute to household expenses, however she spends her money. My DD20 is on disability benefits, and she gives me between 25% and 33% of them every month towards her 'keep'. She needs to know that her benefit is not just for taxis, McDonalds and new clothes. It means when she eventually moves out (if she is ever well enough to), that she already has an appreciation for how much things like broadband, electricity and insurance cost! Not for a minor child, I wouldn't. (I am not clear on the age of the OP's daughter.) But the law requires you to house your children until they are 18; you don't get to collect rent for that.
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Post by bc2ca on Jun 3, 2015 0:51:57 GMT
DD spends her money on eating out, movies and concert tickets. Christmas & birthday gift cards keep her stocked for iTunes & clothes for most of the year.
DS spends most of his on junk food, movies and gaming.
Neither are spending excessively on these things and can be a little miserly when it comes to spending their own money instead of mine.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 23:25:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2015 0:55:10 GMT
Expensive sh!t. Fancy clothes, his car, his lifestyle as a bachelor, and living in a big city!
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Post by tuva42 on Jun 3, 2015 0:58:47 GMT
For my DD fast food is a social thing. There is so little in this town for kids to do, that hanging out together at Fazzolis or Waffle House for a while is fun for them. My 16yo DD spends a good bit of her money on clothes and movies, too.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,623
Oct 11, 2014 3:17:29 GMT
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Post by bethany102399 on Jun 3, 2015 0:59:24 GMT
Part of me says her money, her choice especially if she's saving a good portion of her check. On the other hand, having her pay for part of her phone is a good learning experience.
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Post by birdy on Jun 3, 2015 1:02:20 GMT
apps, game downloads for xBox, PPV wrestling
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,295
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
Jul 6, 2014 21:50:44 GMT
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Post by lesley on Jun 3, 2015 1:05:26 GMT
I'm intrigued by you having a shared account with your teen. How does that work? Both my teens spend a fair bit on fast food and sweets. As akathy said, it's as much a socialising thing as anything. I know what you mean about it seeming like a waste of money, but it is their money. And I would absolutely have your DD contribute to household expenses, however she spends her money. My DD20 is on disability benefits, and she gives me between 25% and 33% of them every month towards her 'keep'. She needs to know that her benefit is not just for taxis, McDonalds and new clothes. It means when she eventually moves out (if she is ever well enough to), that she already has an appreciation for how much things like broadband, electricity and insurance cost! Not for a minor child, I wouldn't. (I am not clear on the age of the OP's daughter.) But the law requires you to house your children until they are 18; you don't get to collect rent for that. In Scotland you are only legally responsible to house your child until they are 16. And I don't know if there is any legal requirement to provide cars, mobile phones or broadband at any age! Even if it's just a few dollars a week, I think it's good for children who earn money outside of the home to contribute to running costs. You can always save that money and give it back to them when they move out.
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,840
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Jun 3, 2015 1:05:44 GMT
Now is the perfect time for your teen to learn about money & savings. It is never too early to learn to get good money habits such as regular savings and how to budget their money.
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Post by Flowergirl on Jun 3, 2015 1:05:53 GMT
DD16 has been working since she was 14 at a private school as a summer camp counselor and a few days a week after school freshman year and this year. She also babysits occasionally. She wanted to save money toward a trip to Italy. We told her if she could save roughly half, we'd pay the rest and for things like passport, spending money etc. She's saved her portion and much more in that time. We're proud of her for having this goal and sticking with it. Plus, she loves the kids at her job, and they love her.
Aside from travel, she spends money on some clothes when she shops with her friends, dining out with friends, concerts, gifts etc. She also pays a portion of her data for her iPhone.
DS is college age and pays for the majority of his personal expenses, part of his data for his phone, and part of his college expenses.
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Post by brina on Jun 3, 2015 1:15:26 GMT
starbucks, video games, iTunes cards for apps and music, movies, food
However, we require that they save 20% of their income, which goes into a jar and is deposited in the back once per year.
Also my one son wanted to attend two week camp in addition to the camp he has attended for the last few years. He is paying for half of that camp.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,276
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
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Post by iowgirl on Jun 3, 2015 1:17:53 GMT
My kids buy most of their clothes, but we buy anything related to them working on the farm ( boots, Carharts, jeans, etc) . We pay for their first new car, college, and insurance while they are in college. Oldest dd should graduate with zero debt, a fairly new car and about 30k she has saved from her internships and working for us since she was 11 or 12. No w to avoid marrying someone mired in debt ?
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Post by cakediva on Jun 3, 2015 1:30:47 GMT
My girls are 17 & 19. Both have jobs.
They each pay for their cell phones. We paid until they wanted iPhones and data, so they are on their own with that. They also pay their car insurance and gas for the car (we bought them a 97 civic to share).
Oldest DD is excellent with money. She puts 2/3 of every pay into a high interest savings account, which is her tuition savings for University. Even paying for tuition this year, she managed to save even more than she started the year with. But she spends on food, clothes, silly comic book stuff, movies and books.
Younger DD is a little more free with her money. She spends a good deal of it on clothes. That is about to change - as of July, she is taking a year off to save money before College. So she'll be needing to save way more!
DS does not have a job, so any money he earns cutting the grass and such, he usually spends on food...LOL
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jun 3, 2015 1:48:03 GMT
Not for a minor child, I wouldn't. (I am not clear on the age of the OP's daughter.) But the law requires you to house your children until they are 18; you don't get to collect rent for that. In Scotland you are only legally responsible to house your child until they are 16. And I don't know if there is any legal requirement to provide cars, mobile phones or broadband at any age! Even if it's just a few dollars a week, I think it's good for children who earn money outside of the home to contribute to running costs. You can always save that money and give it back to them when they move out. Oh, I would agree that cars and mobile phones are not required. LOL. I guess I wouldn't have called those "household expenses" in this context. When I think of "household expenses" in terms of "things my no-longer-a-minor has to contribute to if she's going to keep living here," I am thinking of things like rent/mortgage, utilities (water, electric, gas), and food. Maybe cable or internet if I as head of household am not willing to ditch it.
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Post by 2peaornot2pea on Jun 3, 2015 1:50:53 GMT
My son spends most of his money on his girlfriend. I'm actually starting to get a bit irritated about it too. They have been dating over six months. I think it is reasonable to expect that she should go dutch or reciprocate on occasion.
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psiluvu
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,217
Location: Canada's Capital
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:26 GMT
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Post by psiluvu on Jun 3, 2015 1:52:25 GMT
My 15 year old dd has been working since Decemeber so far has paid for a school trip to NYC with her own spending money, bought a 10 day concert pass for a Music festival we have here, bought a macbook air (making monthly payments for 12 months), lots of clothes and makeup. She buys her friends birthday presents and since they are all turning 16 it seems like that always includes an expensive dinner out. She treats herself to Starbucks and Timmies on a regular basis. IMO she "wastes" her money on very expensive makeup and more clothes than she needs but she is an awesome saver and works hard for her money so I don't say anything. She is working a full time job this summer along with her part time and is planning on saving that all for university and just using her part time job as spending money. Sorry bit of a mom brag but I am very proud of what a hard worker she is.
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Post by ptamom on Jun 3, 2015 1:55:21 GMT
My DD? Clothes.
And she has worked at a resale clothing store geared toward teens for a few years, so a portion of her paycheck has gone directly back into the cash register.
Today is her last day at the resale shop, though. She has taken a summer job running drama camps for our city. Then it's off to college!
She has been better about saving this year, but she will still hit college very well dressed!
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Post by deekaye on Jun 3, 2015 2:07:40 GMT
My kids buy most of their clothes, but we buy anything related to them working on the farm ( boots, Carharts, jeans, etc) . We pay for their first new car, college, and insurance while they are in college. Oldest dd should graduate with zero debt, a fairly new car and about 30k she has saved from her internships and working for us since she was 11 or 12. No w to avoid marrying someone mired in debt ? Oh my, I could have written this same post a few years back. It was (is) important to us to pay for our children's education and associated expenses so that they can start out debt free after graduation. Oldest daughter graduated with zero debt, a fairly stable bank account from working and a not-new-but-nice car. During her college years she fell in love, became engaged and eventually married a fellow student... who is currently in medical school. So much for a debt free lifestyle! (It's okay though... he is a pretty wonderful son-in-law!). And, to stay on topic, we taught our girls about spending wisely but ultimately left it up to them how/where to spend their money. I also agree: Fast food is not so much about the food (they could get that at home) it's about the socializing.
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
Jul 8, 2014 20:17:31 GMT
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Post by scrapaddie on Jun 3, 2015 2:52:37 GMT
My DD has been working at her first job since January. Her check gets direct deposited into an account we share. She has a debit card to use when she wants something. She also saves a good portion of her check. I am wondering what other teens spend their money on? I've noticed that most of her money is being spent of fast food, candy and fountain sodas. There is no need for her to buy food or drinks of any kind because we always have them in the house. I know it's her money to spend how she pleases, but I'm trying to teach her good spending habits. As of now DH and I pay for her phone and car insurance (she pays for her own gas). We are thinking about asking her to start helping out with those bills if she continues to waste money. What would you do? so you want her to hang out with her friends and watch them eat, telling them "I'll eat when I get home'.... I am certain this is what you do with your friends. She is saving and everyone should have some discretionary money!! And this is the first time she has had a chance to spend her own money!
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Post by mom on Jun 3, 2015 3:00:31 GMT
My 16 DS spends most of his money on movies, iTunes, and fast food. That being said, when we go to the mall for clothes, I give him a set amount of money for school clothes - and he pays the difference if what he wants is more than I want to pay.
My son is currently saving his money for a new stereo for his car and also for a summer camp he is helping to pay for.
I say as long as your daughter is saving some of her check, then let her spend it on whatever she wishes.
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Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,233
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Jun 3, 2015 3:19:04 GMT
My 17 yr old DD buys shoes, clothes, purses, and makeup. She likes nice things. She makes good grades, works two jobs, and volunteers at the local children's hospital. DH teases her that there isn't a dorm room anywhere with enough room for all of her shoes.
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