allowance

[Eureka]

I guesss it depends on what you expect them to DO with their allowance. Are they to make charitable gifts? Are they to purchase clothes? Are they to fund their own entertainment? Are they expected to buy birthday gifts for their siblings?

When my kids had an allowance, it was for things like buying a snack after school or going to the movies on the weekend. That was it. And the amount was WAY less than what you are considering. I can't imagine what my 12 year old would spend $40 a week on....he hardly goes anywhere without me, and I buy all his clothes, food, toiletries, etc.

Exactly my questions. My kids are in ninth and seventh grades. My high schooler gets $40/month and we pay for clothes, school supplies, lunch account (he does bring his lunch most days though) and whatever he needs. That includes sports fees and haircuts. Also some extras like yearbook. But if he goes out with friends, it's on him. Our middle schooler gets $20/month. Same deal for him but he doesn't go out as much yet. They are expected to save for anything they want like books, movies, electronics etc. during the year (of course we buy them holiday and birthday presents) and they use their own money to buy holiday, birthday and Mother's and Father's Day gifts for us and each other.

 

[angierae]

You want to adopt me? That's more than I spend on coffee, vending machines and gasoline a week!

$40 a week is more than MY allowance for "fun stuff" and I'm an adult with a professional job!

 

[NinaBella]

[Q

 

[MomToOne]

DD15 gets $60 a month. I expect her to cover most of her "wants" and any social activities. All in all, she does quite well, saving at least a bit of the $60 each month. She's learned to be a good shopper, using coupons and watching for sales. She researches activities for her and her friends that allow them to have fun going out without spending crazy amounts of money. But she's also learned that just because she wants something doesn't mean she has to have it. I think that's a life lesson better learned early on.

I also give her a modest clothing allowance $200-250 at the start of each school year but any clothing she wants beyond that she has to buy. And she gets a few hundred dollars for her birthday from myself and her aunt, and money at Christmas from a variety of relatives - she might dip into this cash to buy herself an item or two at the after-Christmas sales, but I expect she won't touch much of it because she is saving for a car since Mom won't be buying that for her either! LOL