How do they do it?

[EMode]

We felt it was important for them to have part-time jobs in high school, to learn the value of a dollar and to have that working experience to put on their resumes, and to start paying for some of their own expenses. We did provide each of them with a car to drive (we sold them after they were finished with them and bought their own) and we did provide insurance but we were able to insure them on an old farm truck so it was less expensive. They did pay for their own gas. And our DD paid for any higher-end clothes that she wanted. And they paid their own way when they went out with friends to movies, etc.

That is definitely how we feel too. I think that life experience outside of what HS offers is just as valuable as the clubs/activities some kids are involved in. I will never place a higher importance on school activities than I will on a part time job and I would never not allow any of my children to work.

 

[barkley]

I'm a bit older & in my day, I made $3.10 per hour & paid $1.50 for gas. So, really not much different than $7.35/hour & $3.50 for gas. But , NOBODY waited to drive. And in those days, you couldn't get a permit at 15 like today. I got my permit & license on the same day - 1 day after my 16th birthday. And that was common.

So, while the current cost of gas is probably a factor, it can't be the only one.

I can tell you what it is with the kids around us-change in socialization habits. they all text and Skype so there's not the compelling desire there was when I was a teen to get together with their friends. they see their friends from 7-4 (or 6 if they are doing after school stuff), and if they want to socialize after that it's not their norm to do it face to face. dd has spent several days this summer 'watching movies with friends'-it means they are both on-line at the same time watching the same movie being streamed. I don't get it, but it's their norm.

another huge factor is the cost. long gone are the days where drivers ed/training is offered free at school. here it's offered during zero period but it's done by the same companies and for the same cost as outside the schools.
if you're under 18 it's a requirement to get your license and can run on the average around $550. that's a huge incentive for the kids (and their parents) to hold off until they are older.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I can tell you what it is with the kids around us-change in socialization habits. they all text and Skype so there's not the compelling desire there was when I was a teen to get together with their friends. they see their friends from 7-4 (or 6 if they are doing after school stuff), and if they want to socialize after that it's not their norm to do it face to face. dd has spent several days this summer 'watching movies with friends'-it means they are both on-line at the same time watching the same movie being streamed. I don't get it, but it's their norm.

another huge factor is the cost. long gone are the days where drivers ed/training is offered free at school. here it's offered during zero period but it's done by the same companies and for the same cost as outside the schools.
if you're under 18 it's a requirement to get your license and can run on the average around $550. that's a huge incentive for the kids (and their parents) to hold off until they are older.

I think you probably really hit on it in the first paragraph. I couldn't even call 90% of my friends without a long distance charge, much less skype, chat, text, whatever.

 

[dennis99ss]

I view your dd's volunteer experience as unpaid work experience which provided her with many of the skills that will serve her well later in life. with some careers there aren't opportunities for teens to volunteer and see what actual 'work' is like, so some are completely unprepared for the realities when they have to become employed. I'm glad our high school has a graduation requirement that includes both volunteering as well as participation in an on the job mentorship program in the field the student wants to pursue.

I think it's fine if a parent doesn't require their teen to get a job, but to forbid them outright because they place a higher value on extracurriculars can be shortsighted. sure, if it comes down to student a and student b applying to the same college, with the same gpa, and the same ap courses, the admissions officer will be looking at their extracurricular activities-but if one had a part time job for an extended period over their high school career, demonstrating they know how to balance work, extra curricular, volunteer and school demands it's going to carry allot more influence on that admissions decision than their peer who did not work but did get the lead in their high school musical.

Barkley
This might be the case for some schools, but a job is not even on the list of points for others. Grades, extra-curricular, athletics. At one of the schools that has a set system for admissions, the above scenario, in having a job, would be viewed as a detriment. At least at the schools both my DS are looking at.

 

[Colleen27]

I'm a bit older & in my day, I made $3.10 per hour & paid $1.50 for gas. So, really not much different than $7.35/hour & $3.50 for gas. But , NOBODY waited to drive. And in those days, you couldn't get a permit at 15 like today. I got my permit & license on the same day - 1 day after my 16th birthday. And that was common.

So, while the current cost of gas is probably a factor, it can't be the only one.

Not just gas, the whole endeavor... $350 for drivers' ed (was free at my HS), high insurance rates, high gas prices, etc. It isn't exaggerating to put the cost of getting a license at $1500 before even driving a single mile. If it had cost that when I was a teen I wouldn't have gotten mine right away either.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Not just gas, the whole endeavor... $350 for drivers' ed (was free at my HS), high insurance rates, high gas prices, etc. It isn't exaggerating to put the cost of getting a license at $1500 before even driving a single mile. If it had cost that when I was a teen I wouldn't have gotten mine right away either.

We haven't had Drivers Ed (free OR paid) here since the 60's

 

[Andtototoo]

There are so many variables, of course. One of which is what quality of vehicle you are comfortable with your kid driving. Our dd worked from the age of 14 on and she was 18 before she had enough money in her savings account to buy what I'd consider a decent, reliable car (and no, I'm not talking about a Lexus or Land Rover or BMW)).

We chose to have her focus on saving for college instead and gave her one of our old cars when it to go that point. I will note that her driving was more of a convenience for me than anything else, especially in terms of her getting to work. There is no public transportation here and often, no sidewalks outside the main drag so before she got her license, I had to take time off from work to pick her up and bring her to work. There are plenty of parents who cannot take time off from work to cart their kids to their jobs, so those kids don't have jobs.

 

[pat fan]

I know I am one of those that "made" our kids pay for their own insurance, so here's how our kids handled it. Just fine One was involved in sports, the other in music department and student gvt. Both worked summers, after school a few days and some weekends. They were busy, but less so than the little kids I see who have dance/gymnastics/sports etc..every night of the week and weekends. And it keeps them out of trouble.

 

[usd2bmd]

When my daughter got her license she drove either my husbands car or mine to work. She worked and saved some money and her grand parents gave her money towards a car. We also gave her some as our arrangement was that we would double what she had saved towards her first car.

When we added her (and her car) to our insurance it only went up about $40/month so it wasn't a big deal for her to pay that.

She pays the $40 for insurance and $40 towards the cell phone bill. She gives us $20/week.

We just had her graduation party and that money went into the bank to help her pay for books. We pay every other time she fills her tank and we will continue to do it while she is in school because she is not dorming and it is a 30 minute ride.

 

[DeaverTex]

I'm wondering how people are adding an underage (under 25) driver to their insurance and not doubling it? Everyone I know has had their insurance double -- at least -- when their child gets their license. And if $40 a month IS doubling your insurance, for Pete's sake where do you live that car insurance is so cheap?

 

[Disneyland1084]

I was reading the thread on when you have your kids start paying their own car insurance and some people were saying as soon as they got their license.

I'm wondering how a high school kid who is in school can work enough hours making minimum wage to earn enough to pay for a car, car insurance, and gasoline like some parents ask them to do. On top of that, how do they have time to do homework and study? I guess extracurriculars are out? Do colleges these days put a fair amount of weight on extracurriculars when considering a college application?

Do these kids ever sleep?

As soon as I turned 16, I paid my parents $100 a month that went towards gas and insurance. I had a neighborhood pet care service and earned good money, for a kid my age.

 

[barkley]

I'm wondering how people are adding an underage (under 25) driver to their insurance and not doubling it? Everyone I know has had their insurance double -- at least -- when their child gets their license. And if $40 a month IS doubling your insurance, for Pete's sake where do you live that car insurance is so cheap?

ours went up 37% when we added dd (and a 3rd car)-which equaled about $71.00 a month.
factors that help keep the insurance lower-dd waited till she was 19, she maintains a 3.0 gpa, did a safe driver program, and she keeps her mileage under a certain yearly level.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm wondering how people are adding an underage (under 25) driver to their insurance and not doubling it? Everyone I know has had their insurance double -- at least -- when their child gets their license. And if $40 a month IS doubling your insurance, for Pete's sake where do you live that car insurance is so cheap?

It varies a lot depending on what car you are using to insure them. If you buy them a car, you are adding the price of an additional car, not just the price of an additional driver. If you are insuring them on a sporty car, the cost will be more.

You can get the best deal by insuring them on an older care with liability only coverage.

And as has been stated, good driver and safe driver discount programs help.

But yeah. Go out and buy them a cool sporty car and you're going to feel it.

 

[eliza61]

For most kids, their insurance will amount to $50-$75 a month, a part time job, even babysitting or mowing yards on weekends would cover that. As far as a car, you start saving before time to get your license and buy something affordable, not brand new. Colleges do look at extra curricular so but not exclusively, you just have yo put that you worked instead of participating.

When I was in high school I worked 2 sometimes 3 jobs, bought my own car, paid my insurance, paid all my own expenses, sr pictures, class ring, etc. I was done at 2 and 12 my junior and senior years and went to work immediately when school was out, I worked my sophomore year too. I participated in a few extracurriculars like choir, drama, and some clubs. I maintained a 3.5 gpa. Was it hard sometimes sure, but I did it.

My daughter will be expected to work if she wants a car. We will likely buy her car for her, but she will be responsible for insurance, gas and her own spending money, which she should easily be able to make without having to sacrifice extracurriculars or grades.

Sweet Lord, where do you live where car insurance for a 18 year old is only 700 a year???

Op, I'm always dumbfounded myself. My son has a 2008 Honda accord, paid off and car insurance for him is 4300 a year. No way can he afford that and go to school

Now we live in a major city (Philadelphia) so that may add into it.
My oldest is 22. Even a 25 year old beater that he had with 285K miles cost him 2500 a year to insure.

Now both of my sons work and pay me 10% each check but my youngest works at Burlington coat factory, he's lucky if he nets 400 a month. he has to save at least 50% for school so absolutely no way could he get car insurance on his own.

neither of them have "sports' cars but I also prefer if they weren't driving 30 year old clunkers that you have to dump money on every week to keep on the road.

During the school year, my sons can't work. My youngest is on the football team (necessary for scholarship) and has to maintain a b average. Now it's great that you could work, keep a b+ average, go to clubs and school but my kids can't. I couldn't do it either when I was in school. I forgoed the car, which was easy since I went to college in a city that had public transportation but between classes and my work study job (which didn't pay much) that was all I can handle and get decent grades.

Op, some kids can do it but some can't and that's totally ok.
We prioritize with our kids. our primary goal is for them to get a good education.

 

[aprilgail2]

Sweet Lord, where do you live where car insurance for a 18 year old is only 700 a year???

Op, I'm always dumbfounded myself. My son has a 2008 Honda accord, paid off and car insurance for him is 4300 a year. No way can he afford that and go to school

Now we live in a major city (Philadelphia) so that may add into it.
My oldest is 22. Even a 25 year old beater that he had with 285K miles cost him 2500 a year to insure.

.

I was thinking the same thing- even an old beater for a kid to drive is well over 2,000 a year with just liability.

 

[usd2bmd]

I'm wondering how people are adding an underage (under 25) driver to their insurance and not doubling it? Everyone I know has had their insurance double -- at least -- when their child gets their license. And if $40 a month IS doubling your insurance, for Pete's sake where do you live that car insurance is so cheap?

We have a daughter and that alone means the rates are lower. But she is not insuring the car herself.

Sweet Lord, where do you live where car insurance for a 18 year old is only 700 a year???

Op, I'm always dumbfounded myself. My son has a 2008 Honda accord, paid off and car insurance for him is 4300 a year. No way can he afford that and go to school

Now we live in a major city (Philadelphia) so that may add into it.
My oldest is 22. Even a 25 year old beater that he had with 285K miles cost him 2500 a year to insure.

We added my daughter to our existing policy...she is listed as a driver on her car but has permissive use of all three vehicles. Our insurance went up $40/month. We have high enough liability limits to cover if something were to happen and we sat down with the agent and went over everything.

 

[MIGrandma]

I'm wondering how people are adding an underage (under 25) driver to their insurance and not doubling it? Everyone I know has had their insurance double -- at least -- when their child gets their license. And if $40 a month IS doubling your insurance, for Pete's sake where do you live that car insurance is so cheap?

Our car insurance agent told us to put our DD as the main driver of our old farm pickup truck, as that was the least expensive way to add her to our insurance. I don't remember the actual cost as it's been about 20 years, but it wasn't a huge increase. Plus with her being a girl it was cheaper too, and she had no accidents.

DS, on the other hand...I'm sure our insurance was higher when we put him on our policy as he had two accidents between ages 16 and 18.

 

[LisaInNc]

When I was a kid I paid for my own insurance. I worked summers, I worked school vacations and I sometimes picked up a shift during the week. I had a full schedule of extra curricular activities but I really wanted to drive so I found a way.

It will be the same for my DD she will start driving all too soon. She will pay for her insurance and gas. We will buy her a car. She has a summer job this summer and we have started saving some of that for the lean months when she won't be able to work.

We live in a small town and my daughter gets straight A's so her insurance would not be that bad.

Even if your child can't afford all of it they should be learning the responsibilty of at least paying for a portion.

Lisa

 

[Mkrop]

Barkley
This might be the case for some schools, but a job is not even on the list of points for others. Grades, extra-curricular, athletics. At one of the schools that has a set system for admissions, the above scenario, in having a job, would be viewed as a detriment. At least at the schools both my DS are looking at.

We just went to a seminar at DS16's school and they had admissions counselors there from Villanova, Cornell, Northeastern and some some college in NY that I cant rememeber...Hobart maybe? Anyway, all FOUR counselors said that having a job is actually a good thing on a college app, that the trend is moving away from the whole app being extracurriculars and volunteer work. We did a project where we were given 3 similar apps and we had to accept, waitlist and reject a student. Most groups and all the counselors had us accepting the kid we a PT job at a yogurt shop as well as doing other things. One of the parents specifically asked this question and all four said that if the student could handle a job and classwork than they should get a job. I found that interesting.

Anyway I worked when I was in HS and college A LOT, and I missed out on a lot.

DS16 just got his license and we will do a combo or some work and some of us paying for the car, gas and insurance. We got the discount for good grades (a 4.38) and for taking drivers ed. He is involved in a lot of stuff before and after school so now he can drive himself. He got himself a job as a dishwasher at a place that holds retreats. He is on the sub list and this allows him a lot of flexiblity if things like tests, projects or most recently baseball interfer, he can decline the shift. Although I did tell him this summer that he needs to work as much as possible bc during the school year he will not have as much time with cross country and the play.

 

[Colleen27]

We just went to a seminar at DS16's school and they had admissions counselors there from Villanova, Cornell, Northeastern and some some college in NY that I cant rememeber...Hobart maybe? Anyway, all FOUR counselors said that having a job is actually a good thing on a college app, that the trend is moving away from the whole app being extracurriculars and volunteer work. We did a project where we were given 3 similar apps and we had to accept, waitlist and reject a student. Most groups and all the counselors had us accepting the kid we a PT job at a yogurt shop as well as doing other things. One of the parents specifically asked this question and all four said that if the student could handle a job and classwork than they should get a job. I found that interesting.

Gah! I really hope admissions counselors take local/regional trends into account with things like this. DD has her sights set on some pretty competitive schools but she's not going to work in high school. In our small town there are only a handful of employers that hire teens, fewer now than even 5 years ago because they're still getting dozens of adult applicants for every opening, and they expect open availability within the work limits for minors. Unless you can find a job working for family or a family friend it is work OR sports/activities, not both. Since DD is very active (multi-sport athlete, 4H, volunteering) I seriously doubt she'll be able to fit in a PT job.