Teens/College Students Clothing Budget?

[luvmarypoppins]

With back to school and back to college startingj ust wondering if you have a budget that you stick to for your teens/college kids.

We have 3 ds and they spent all their HS years in uniforms, plus at their jobs they have to wear a job issued t shirt etc. So now they want to buy their own clothes. DS 19 is pretty good. Last year I gave him $100 and he went to kohls, got everything on sale etc.

I gave ds21 like $75 for sneakers. He comes back with basketball shoes, his friend works at dicks. He is not even suppose to be playing as per dr. So I told him well you just blew the money because I am not buying you regular sneakers etc.

They do use their own money for gas to college (commuting) and entertainment etc. So I just dont know how much to give them etc? I already feel like I cant trust ds21 to be a wise shopper etc. What do you do?

 

[java]

He's 21 with a job. let him buy his own clothes with his own $$. (or take him shopping so he doesn't waste it)

For my teen he will wear whatever. So he's happy with whatever as long as it fits.

I try to keep his budget for back to school stuff- like around $250. Depending on the shoes.

 

[mtemm]

my parents stopped giving me money for clothes as soon as I got my first part time job (at age 16). honestly my kids are young (7, 5, 5) but I would think I would expect the same out of them. if they spend their money foolishly, or if I do budget an amount I would expect them to live within those means. in other words, if they blew it all on tennis shoes, well, they'd be figuring out how to get anything else they needed without my help. that's part of growing up.

am wondering if your 21 year old isn't a wise shopper because he doesn't need to be? does he believe you will bale him out/do it for him? or does he maybe feel like he needs fewer clothes than you feel like he does?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I really don't set a budget. I tend to get what they need after they try on things from their closet. This also doubles as a clothing purge.

My dd who is going off to college needs a SERIOUS purge. Right now she is using a smaller closet to hang up what she is bringing to school. Her walk-in closet is still full.

 

[PatsGirl]

Great topic and good timing! DD12 and I discussed her school clothes budget last night. We tend to get very frustrated when shopping together with me continuously asking "do you like this" and getting smirks for a reply She has asked if she can do her own school shopping and I have agreed

DS started his own school shopping at about age 16 when he began getting picky but it seems that 16 boy years = 12 girl years at least in my household.

So, here's what I've decided:

1. She needs to go through all her clothing/accessories and make a list of what she needs vs. what she wants. She did this yesterday and we discussed the list. I was surprised to find ankle bracelet and black hat on the list

2. We'll decide together what items she can buy. It's going to go something like this: 2 pair jeans for $40, 2 shirts for $40, one pair of shoes/sneakers for $30, accessories $25, socks and underwear at $15, school supplies $25, with an extra $25 to make up any differences for a total of $200.

My biggest problem is where to go that I'll feel safe with her going off on her own for a bit with a friend. I think we've decided to start at Target for socks and underwear and to "check out" the clothes and then head to Wrentham Outlets where she'll have large selection of jeans, etc. If she doesn't find what she wants, we'll go to Marshalls and Sears (which is where we usually shop).

So, short answer is $200 but she doesn't need much to start school.

 

[java]

Pat's girl I have a soon to be 12 year old daughter(on Friday!)
She is the shopping fiend. Although I have to give her some props- she was able to buy 3 pairs of shoes for $30! So she got variety and stayed on budget. Clothing was bought at Justice at the 40% off sale- she was able to get 2 pairs of jeans(one of them hot pink) 2 skirts, 3 shirts, a sweater, 2 leggings a pair of khakis-all for around $150. And she's done. She will be able to fill in with the rest of her stuff- although
Aeropastale is having their friends and family sale this weekend so maybe a little more from there. Unfortunately Aero is uncool to my 15 year old son.(the one that normally doesn't care what he wears)

 

[SC Minnie]

DD15 says she doesn't need any new clothes for school this year.

We'll see if she sticks with that statement. I have never really set a budget but we always shop sales and clearance racks. She knows I won't buy name brand just for the sake of it being name brand. I also won't pay full price.

 

[DVCLiz]

Great topic and good timing! DD12 and I discussed her school clothes budget last night. We tend to get very frustrated when shopping together with me continuously asking "do you like this" and getting smirks for a reply She has asked if she can do her own school shopping and I have agreed

DS started his own school shopping at about age 16 when he began getting picky but it seems that 16 boy years = 12 girl years at least in my household.

So, here's what I've decided:

1. She needs to go through all her clothing/accessories and make a list of what she needs vs. what she wants. She did this yesterday and we discussed the list. I was surprised to find ankle bracelet and black hat on the list

2. We'll decide together what items she can buy. It's going to go something like this: 2 pair jeans for $40, 2 shirts for $40, one pair of shoes/sneakers for $30, accessories $25, socks and underwear at $15, school supplies $25, with an extra $25 to make up any differences for a total of $200.

My biggest problem is where to go that I'll feel safe with her going off on her own for a bit with a friend. I think we've decided to start at Target for socks and underwear and to "check out" the clothes and then head to Wrentham Outlets where she'll have large selection of jeans, etc. If she doesn't find what she wants, we'll go to Marshalls and Sears (which is where we usually shop).

So, short answer is $200 but she doesn't need much to start school.

I did this with both my daughters all during their middle school years - they've both had clothing allowances for years.

I made them make a list of everything they needed for a full year - from bathing suits to a winter coat. They checked their drawers and closets for everything they had that fit one of their categories - I made them give away anything that didn't fit or wasn't in fashion anymore. Once they knew what they really had, I made them list everything for the year they needed, and estimate what it would cost. I let them choose based on the stores I was comfortable buying from, and there was a mix of fashion/latest trend and inexpensive classic from Kohl's., etc. Once they knew how much money they needed for the year, I split that amount in half and they got it once in the spring and once in the fall, so they could shop for summer and winter clothes.

I also made them contribute some of their babysitting money if I felt they had too many "high end" items on the list. I was willing to buy one or two more expensive shirts from Limited Too, for example, but not a whole wardrobe.

I do think it's important to budget for a few "extras" - in the case of your daughter, an ankle bracelet and a black hat. Those are the fun "fashion" things that can be really important!! I don't think it's excessive for a teen girl to want some of those items, and I also added a couple of that type of thing to the list and budgeted accordingly.

Having a clothing allowance made them understand how to make their choices to maximize what they wanted. It worked really well and it made them good shoppers. It also helped internalize for them their own opinions about what was expensive and what was reasonable, in a way that "Do you know how hard I had to work to earn that much money? No, you can't have those expensive blue jeans!!!" never would have.

It's a lot of work and it's easier just to hand them some cash when they need or want things, but I'm glad we took the time to do it this way at least a couple of seasons. It was a good lesson for us all!!

 

[EthansMom]

I gave ds21 like $75 for sneakers. He comes back with basketball shoes, his friend works at dicks. He is not even suppose to be playing as per dr. So I told him well you just blew the money because I am not buying you regular sneakers etc.

Personally, I'd tell him he needs to go return the shoes so he has money for regular sneakers.

When my kids are that age, I plan to give them a monthly spending allowance (not a lot... maybe $100-200) as long as they are going to college. They can use it however they want (clothes, food, movies, etc..) but if they want more, they'll need to get a job.

 

[Shmily1]

DS19 and DD18 will be in college this year and we have yet to do the shopping thing. DS19 has had the same jeans for a few years now so I know he needs more. DD also needs some more clothes so we will be doing the shopping thing coming up soon. They both know how I am about only buying stuff that is on sale so we usually do pretty good.

We took DGD16 shopping yesterday and bought all her school clothes from Hollister, AE, Aerie, and Aeropostale for $283. I thought that was pretty good!

 

[missypie]

The other day, D16 casually said, "I think we need to start buying my jeans at Buckle instead of American Eagle."

At American Eagle, the jeans cost $30-$50 and they have frequent buy one get another for half price sales.

At Buckle, the jeans cost $70-$150 and they don't have sales.

I absolutely have to give this child a set clothing budget this year...she can buy one pair at Buckle or five at AE...her choice.

 

[DVCLiz]

The other day, D16 casually said, "I think we need to start buying my jeans at Buckle instead of American Eagle."

At American Eagle, the jeans cost $30-$50 and they have frequent buy one get another for half price sales.

At Buckle, the jeans cost $70-$150 and they don't have sales.

I absolutely have to give this child a set clothing budget this year...she can buy one pair at Buckle or five at AE...her choice.

Yep, that's the beauty of the clothing allowance - you don't have to argue about anything. IF you can make peace with their choices, that is - it doesn't work if they shop within the guidelines and then you (the general you, not you personally!) second guess and criticize what they bought.

Some girls like one pair of designer jeans and some girls like having 4 or 5 pairs of regular jeans. I don't think it matters in the long run which kind of girl you are!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The other day, D16 casually said, "I think we need to start buying my jeans at Buckle instead of American Eagle."

At American Eagle, the jeans cost $30-$50 and they have frequent buy one get another for half price sales.

At Buckle, the jeans cost $70-$150 and they don't have sales.

I absolutely have to give this child a set clothing budget this year...she can buy one pair at Buckle or five at AE...her choice.

Oh that is hilarious. My short answer would be heck no.

I will admit we are not "shoppers" so that is why we don't set a budget. We go to the stores and look for sales, not brands. Sometimes you hit the jackpot.

We have looked at Buckle for kicks. Yes, they are nice.

So today in honor of this thread, I am going in....time to purge their closets and make a list.

 

[NHdisneylover]

When my kids are that age, I plan to give them a monthly spending allowance (not a lot... maybe $100-200) as long as they are going to college. They can use it however they want (clothes, food, movies, etc..) but if they want more, they'll need to get a job.

That is what my parents did for me when I was in college. When I lived in the dorms and had the 14 meals per week meal plan I got $50 a week to spend. $35 a week was how much more the 21 meals per week would have cost--so my parents gave me that amount plus smidge more and I covered my own breakfast, snacks, clothes, entertainment, etc. When I got a studio apartment (turned out cheaper than the dorms) they gave me $100 a week as I needed groceries and gas at that point. I still occasionally got clothing as a gift but nothing I could "count on."

Personally I would not try to control where he shops or what he buys. Just tell him he gets X amount to shop in the fall and X amount again in the spring and you will not be buying other things so spend wisely. My friend has given each of her kids $250 in the spring and $250 in the fall each year for clothes since they turned 12 (it was $300 when they lived where winter coats, gloves and boots were a must but went down a bit when they moved to Austin, TX). One always buys a few high end items plus lots of sale stuff and spends all the money. The other buys all used and pockets half Mom has no issue with the bargain hunter (her girl BTW) getting to keep the rest.

 

[sbgrhb]

I am a student at UMSL. Between paying for books, car payments, and insurance, I have no money for new clothes. Any time I do go shopping, I go straight to the sale racks. Its insane how much people are spending on clothes. I have a friend who attended stephens college in Colombia, Missouri. Those girls are addicted to designer everything. Even to class they had to dress to impress. I think it is absolutely ridiculous. My friend has so much credit card debt its not even funny. She was taking out loans to pay for her over draft fees from buying a new outfit for the weekend. Its sad, but she did it to herself.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm just amazed that there are parents of 21 yo's that routinely give them money for clothes. No one I knew when I was that age still asked their parents for money for clothes, unless maybe they were borrowing because they had to stand in a wedding, or some other formal occasion that called for special clothing.

 

[HunnyPots]

I'm just amazed that there are parents of 21 yo's that routinely give them money for clothes. No one I knew when I was that age still asked their parents for money for clothes, unless maybe they were borrowing because they had to stand in a wedding, or some other formal occasion that called for special clothing.

My daughter is 22 and a full time college student. She takes a full load of classes and works part time to pay for her rent, groceries, and gas. There is NO money left to buy clothes or anything else, for that matter. For her birthday last month, I took her shopping and we bought "school clothes"!
The way I see it, she is doing as much as she possibly can and I am picking up the slack. What's so odd about that? Once she is out of school and working in her career job, she'll be buying her own clothes. Untill then, that's what I'm here for.

 

[Sandy V.]

My daughter is 22 and a full time college student. She takes a full load of classes and works part time to pay for her rent, groceries, and gas. There is NO money left to buy clothes or anything else, for that matter. For her birthday last month, I took her shopping and we bought "school clothes"!
The way I see it, she is doing as much as she possibly can and I am picking up the slack. What's so odd about that? Once she is out of school and working in her career job, she'll be buying her own clothes. Untill then, that's what I'm here for.

That's the situation we're in as well. They're great kids, very hardworking, so I'm glad to give them "X" amount of dollars to buy what they need (I determine the amount).

When they were younger, I made a point of taking our clothing budget in cash to the stores so they could see it "disappear" as we made the purchases, and then they knew exactly where it went and what they had left. They had to live with their purchases because they were THEIR choices, not mine. It worked well.

 

[RitaE]

My son pretty much buys his own stuff and he did through High School. We're kind of the opposite of above though - I pay his tuition, dorm fees and meal plan ... in addition to his car insurance, cell phone bills, and amtrak fare whenever I drag him home because I'm missing him. He covers his spending money (beverages that I probably don't want to know about and pizza), dates, and other incidentals from his own money.

I bought him a winter coat last year and sometimes he'll call and ask if it's okay if he buys new shoes from Zappos and I usually say yes because I'm a sucker. Sometimes when I have the other kids out shopping I'll pick him up something and stick it in a Care package - sometimes not.

My dd who is going off to college needs a SERIOUS purge. Right now she is using a smaller closet to hang up what she is bringing to school. Her walk-in closet is still full.

When my son left for college last year I went down to his room and packed up an enormous amount of clothing into boxes to send off to Goodwill. Seriously enough clothing to keep a small third world country from going naked and that was just the stuff that got LEFT BEHIND. I don't think he ever even noticed any of it missing.

So I'm pretty much thinking, whatever amount it is that I'm spending on clothes for the kids .... it is probably way too much.

 

[Kath2003]

From age 15-17, I got $60/month allowance for clothes, going out, movies, lunch if I didn't take it from home etc. I had a job from when I was almost 16.

My parents quit giving me money for clothes the moment I was old enough to drive (17); that money went straight toward car insurance. Luckily I worked in my favourite clothes store At this point, I was making $200 - $1500/month at my job ($1500 in the summer vacations).

When I went off to college, food wasn't provided. They gave me money during my three year Batchelor degree which covered food, bills, travel, books and clothes. After food I usually had $20-30/week, but I also had a job, bringing in $120/week. I didn't buy many clothes though; instead I saved and went around the USA for a month shortly after graduation.

During my Master's degree (1 year), they gave me money towards rent. It almost covered my rent. I earnt the extra and money for everything else. I don't think I had any new clothes that year, apart from at Christmas.

No pennies for clothes since then; I've done another year at college teacher training and finally became a teacher a year ago.