Does anyone require their teens to pay for anything?

[tzeitel]

I don't think there is anything wrong with having your sister to contribute a little to the expenses. I know some of these ideas have been said before () but -

Maybe you could talk to her about having a yard sale together - she can go through her room looking for things she does not need/use anymore, her parents could also let her take some things from around the house she could sell, you could also put some stuff you would not mind selling. Or maybe even sell stuff on Ebay - she could take the pictures or help with the description so she is involved in the process.

DD has a Mickey piggy bank, she get all our change (coins). Once full we take it to the bank and change it into bills - it is usually between $50-75 for about 6 months of collecting.

To save a little you could get discounted Disney cards, If you have a Target card you can get 5% off (buying them in-store), or you can get them from BJ's (the warehouse-style store but you do not need to be a member to get them online) for 4% off. It is not a lot but every little bit helps.

Both of you could go through the menus of places where you want to eat and make a budget. You can also find discounted Landry's cards that can be used at Rainforest Cafe, TRex, and at Yak & Yeti (at AK) which could be a TS "splurge". Check out giftcardgranny for the best deals on gift cards.

If you have time check out the Swagbucks thread here on the Budget board, lots of us use reward sites for Disney trips. Even doing it once in a while you could earn enough for a gift card or Paypal every month to cover a meal or two. I use Bing (the search engine) which takes less than 10 minutes a day and I get $10 in gift cards a month - I get Starbucks which I use to buy not just coffee but sodas, Mickey cookies, water etc.

 

[Dakota731]

As for ways for a 12-13 year old to make money, several have been listed, but for the sake of having a large list, I'll include what I remember reading as well as my own ideas:

Great list! And 12-13 is a great age for instilling a work ethic in any child. I know people whose kids have never held a job throughout high school or college saying they want to them to concentrate on school only! That’s crazy - studies prove that busier kids do much better in school and have better time management skills. My kids have worked for money since age 12 and two went to medical school all graduating with honors plus doing sports and other activities. Better to learn money lessons gradually then to be thrust into the working world and independent living at age 22 with no idea how a budget and a paycheck work. You go big sister!!

 

[tarak]

I like your style! I think b/c you two are sisters,you're not the parent, this is great..... it's more of a partnership experience- neither of you can afford to go on your own, but together, you can make it work! I'm betting you'll have a great time!

I agree with this. I see nothing wrong with asking her to contribute some effort into making the trip happen. My kids don’t get an allowance per se, and they’re expected to all help with chores like vacuuming, dishes, and laundry. But if my teenager wants some extra cash to take on a trip, she knows she’ll have to earn it. I took her to see a show in NYC for Christmas. That was obviously on me as a gift. But the souvenirs she wanted she paid for out of her own money. I talked to a friend whose daughter started a business in her neighborhood walking dogs, raking leaves, shoveling snow, etc. He said she’d go out on a Saturday and come back with a couple hundred bucks from shoveling snow. Obviously, that’s season-specific, but when it’s nice, the lawns need mowing, right? My son wanted another nerf gun, cause you can’t have too many of those. He asked me what he could do around the house to make money for it. Is the money still coming from me? Yes. But I got three clean bathrooms out of the bargain.

I’m not suggesting she go to a stranger’s house and ask to scrub the toilets. But I’m betting she could find neighbors who could use some help and wouldn’t mind paying a child who’s willing to do the work.

OP, I applaud you for wanting to work with your sister to make another trip happen.