How does your family handle spending money for Teens on their own at the parks?

[mello]

Our boys (12 & 14) so far have earned & saved their own spending money for our trips, and this trip they each had more cash to bring than we did lol! Since we didn't necessarily want them carrying that much cash around with them, we gave them both charging privileges and then they paid us back for their purchases. They were extremely responsible, even to the point of buying their own snacks and things that we might have otherwise bought for them. They even went in together to buy some things for their little sister. We felt like it was a good life lesson for them, and were very pleased with how it went.

 

[Tink-aholic]

We just went in April and we found what works for our two boys (15 and 13): we get the DDP and explain what they purchase as far as CS restaurants and snacks. We also gave them $10 each per day and told them that if they wanted an item they can't afford to let us know and we will make a decision at that time. They had to tell us where they were going and keep in touch during the day (we would usually meet up for dinner as a family).

We figured the cash would pay for random souveniers and additional snacks/beverages. By the end of the trip, they had used the DDP appropriately and had $70 each!

 

[Olaf]

Looks like I'm the only meany. My DS 11 is expected to put money aside from his $11/week allowance for his spending money. He has $50 saved and we go in July. He buys the same things every year - a sharks tooth necklace and itzakadoozie's (frozen treat) and pins.

You're no meanie, but a smart parent. Your DS will think long before he parts with that hard-earned money.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

I give them each a $1.28 for the week, and they spend it however they choose.

 

[mikesmom]

My DS is 25 now, but we have let him go about by himself (with charging privileges) since he was about 14. He carried some cash he had saved for souvenirs, etc, but the meals, snacks, etc were on me and he had charging privileges for that. If he had saved quite a bit of money he gave me the cash and knew he could charge that amount also . Really didn't want him going about with a lot of cash on him. When he had a friend along he had the privilege to cover the 2 of them. He knew not to go wild, kept us informed every day as to what they had spent, and never abused the privilege.

 

[Entropy]

At 15 it's time that they showed you that they can handle a little responsibility. I'd set a limit with them and make sure that they understood it and let them charge their meals to the card. If they want to charge something else, have them clear it with you by phone. This will give them a chance to practice taking responsibility and a chance for them to show you that they can be responsible.
What's the worse that can happen? They might exceed their limit and they'll have to owe it to you or they might get caught-up in the "Disney's Best Kept Secret" thing and they'll own a bunch of points on your dime.

 

[minnierealtor]

We have let our DD (now 15) charge for a few years now. She has gone over a little here and there but nothing major and has learned to manage it better every time. We also have given her the Visa cards with money on it for school trips and such. I felt better giving her something we could replace if she lost it and we could add money if necessary. I don't think kids can get into to much trouble at Disney and it is a great learning experience.

 

[rinkwide]

I give them each a $1.28 for the week, and they spend it however they choose.

(That quote really needed a face to go with it.)

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Each of my DDs (14 and 9) have their own debit card that is tied to their individual bank account onlines. The debit card has a Mastercard logo so it is accepted anywhere. The girls each get half of their allowance added to their gift card each month (the other half goes into a savings account) and they are allowed to spend that however they choose.

DD14 has a school ID with her picture and name on it and has shown that when asked. DD9 doesn't have an ID but has never had a problem using her debit card (I am always with her when she uses it and can show my ID if necessary).

The debit cards require use of a PIN number and if the card is lost or stolen we can cancel it or dispute any unauthorized charges.

We usually add any extra spending money for Disney to their debit cards so they can spend it there.

It's a good lesson in math for both of them to be able to keep track of how much they have spent and how much they have left.

 

[dhluvsDisney]

We've allowed charging privileges based on if they have a regular part time job or not. If not, they must use the money they have saved up for purchases (if it's a larger item, I charged it and then we would put the money directly against the account). We just took 4 young adults, and they all charged and we very responsible about putting their cash towards the account after they added up the bills. We just have the front desk run individual bill purchases, and then they go and put money against the account. It works really well.

 

[bom_noite]

When they were 12 and 9 (respectively) we were going through a HUGE sibbling battle stage! Every day they would get in to an argument.

So, I said 50 days (or so) prior to our visit:

Each day there is no fight - you BOTH gain $1 that you can use ANY way you want.
Any day a fight erupts - you BOTH lose $5. And, whoever says: They started it - or "thanks $#%$#&" after we lay down the penalty loses another $5.

A few years later I just put my spare change in to a Coffee Can. At the end, they wrapped it and split it 50/50. That was their pocket money. With the rule: No more when that go's.

One interesting thing I found: They actually spend less when it is THEIR money! That "I gotta have it" syndrome go's away when the dime comes out of their own pocket.

Now they are older and are both working - so - I borrow from them.