Teens paying rent

[goodstarr]

I was 15 and a sophomore in high school when I got my first job. When I got my first paycheck of $17, my mom had me give her a portion of it and of every check thereafter (as rent, not to save it for me for later). I did this all through high school and up until I graduated from college. Just curious to see what other people did or have their high school/college students do.

 

[Chrissi Pooh]

I paid rent only after I graduated from high school and it was something rediculous like $15-30 a month just because they wanted me to learn the value of a dollar and since I didn't make alot of money I learned fast.....get a better job or move out!!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

no I will happily provide room and board for my children until they graduate from college or turn 18 and get a job.

If they want to get a job in High School to purchase a car and save for college, that is one thing. But basically I want them involved in their studies and I also want them to stay involved in fun activities.

There is plenty of time in life to be an adult and work. I don't see a huge need for them to start earning their keep at age 16.

 

[Sandy V.]

My 16 year old daughter will be getting her first job this summer. My husband and I plan on having her contribute a portion of her paychecks for car insurance and she has to put a certain percentage directly into her savings account. She has to pay for her own gas for the family car that she drives. She'll be expected to pay for more of her own clothes with the money, but I will still contribute some in this area. Other than that, she can spend the money as she wishes.

I would have felt strange asking my teenager to contribute toward the rent unless I was really struggling financially to make the rent/mortgage payment. But every situation is different so I'm not judging.

 

[mommytotwo]

I never had to pay rent to my parents during high school or college. My mom didn't want me to get a job and wanted me to concentrate on school and to just be a kid, so that's another reason why I wouldn't have the money to give them, but no matter what, they wouldn't ask me for money.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

im living at home now while im in college...i dont pay rent or anything..just pay for my own gas and clothes and stuff..

 

[Cindy B]

I paid rent at 18. I also was required to save for any work paychecks.

I worked from 14 on.. so I had quite a bit of money saved up.

I also paid my own phone, food, and car insurance at 16.

 

[bjgrazi]

When they're done with school and still living at home, they'd have to contribute. I think it would be the correct, responsible thing to do.

My dd is 15 and has already worked one summer, she made pennies, but had to put 1/2 of it each week in the bank up to $50. When she started to see the account grow, now matter what 1/2 went in. She saved the rest and was able to buy whatever school clothes she wanted, because she had money. She's now taking a lifeguarding course so she can be a lifeguard this summer.

On the other hand my stepson who is 17 refuses to work, says he doesn't need a job, because it's his fathers job to support him. Wait till he wants something this summer. I won't allow them to work during the school year, but in the summer what else do they have to do.

 

[CBRorBust]

I never had to pay rent to my parents during high school or college. My mom didn't want me to get a job and wanted me to concentrate on school and to just be a kid, so that's another reason why I wouldn't have the money to give them, but no matter what, they wouldn't ask me for money.

Same here

I personally, think it's nuts to make a 15 year old pay rent. JMHO.

 

[peg2001]

I think it is a GREAT idea. If a family member is working and earning money, they should make a contribution to the family.

Peggy

 

[stinkerbelle]

My parents gave me one of their old cars when I got my license and they said - get a job to pay for the insurance/gas/minor maintenance (ie - oil changes) and you can keep it. So I did.

My grades actually went UP after getting an after school job. (I was budgeting my time so much better.) And I made a ton of friends outside of school by working at the Taco Bell one town over. (Don't laugh - I worked there on and off for nearly 7 years! They always took me back for a week to one month during my college breaks - it was decent money. Worked my way up from a taco slinger to a shift manager.)

My parents of course "threatened" me with paying rent - but I told them "If I pay rent - I do what I want. No curfew, no rules, if I'm paying to live here you basically give up all parental rights". hehehe...they didn't like that! I was just a smart-alecky kid though...

 

[mrsdon]

Im a parent and my 2 boys still live at home. One has had serious medical problems and cant live on his own yet. The other one is on the delayed entry program for the Marines. They both work full time. I charge them $100 a month for rent.
IMHO it is wrong to charge someone who has not graduated from HS rent. Unless, you are puttung it aside and saving it for them.
I is our duty as parents to feed, clothe, and keep a home for the kids.

 

[2bemarried]

I had two jobs in high school. Both were considered a luxury. My top priority was school. As long as my grades remained above a B- I was allowed to keep my jobs. Most of the money went into to savings and the rest was used to pay for gas and part of my car insurance. My parents didn't start charging rent until after I was out of college and working full-time.

 

[caitycaity]

when i was in high school, school was my "job." if i wanted to get a paying job, i had to keep my grades up - like 2bemarried, working was a luxury.

i went to a college that was far from where i grew up after i graduated hs, so i was never in the position that i had to pay for rent at home. after i graduated college, there were about 3 months where i had a part-time job and was looking for a full-time job. my part-time job did not pay enough for me to afford rent in this area (even with a room mate), so my parents helped me with rent while i was actively looking for a job too.

 

[robsmom]

Agree with the folks that say not to charge rent until after they are out of school. It is o.k., however, to expect the teen to pay for more of their own expenses (clothes, etc.) so in a way if you make them do this they are "contributing to the family". My parents gradually increased what we were responsible as we got jobs. When I graduated from college with a real job they paid for nothing and started charging me rent. $150/ month. I lived at home for 6 years and each year my mom raised the rent because she said that is what a real landlord would do!!!. My husband could not believe it when we decided to get married and I told him I was paying $400 a month to live at home. It worked out great because my parents put our (siblings and I) rent money into savings and then used it towards our weddings.

 

[lil mermaid]

Originally posted by CBRorBust
Same here

I personally, think it's nuts to make a 15 year old pay rent. JMHO.

I agree - isn't it a parent's job to give their child food and a roof over their head????

I can see having a teen help to pay for car & insurance, extra clothes or things of that nature, but not rent.

 

[shortbun]

Nope. I didn't have to pay rent and I don't plan on having
DS pay any either. There will be chores to be done for sure.
If he wants to hire a cleaning service to do his share-he's
welcome to do it. LOL!

 

[Talking Hands]

My daughters 25 and 21 do not pay rent. They do pay for their gas and car insurance and for any special foods they want. Both are in school. One undergrad and one grad student. They are both saving to move out in a few months to Ohio.

 

[aprilgail2]

Never would I make my child who was in school pay rent! If they worked I would like them to put aside a certain amount of money for themselves in savings but I would never take money from my child for rent. If they worked then I would expect them to pay for their own recreational type things but I would still pay for clothes and food....heck I the mom, thats my job LOL!!

 

[wdwnutze]

My DS worked off and on during HS but I never would make him pay rent. When he graduated, he went to live away at college and we continued to support him. He didn't work and we paid for his school. He decided to "take some time off" about a month ago and came back home. He is working full time and paying rent - $75 a week. He has the opportunity to decrease his rent by helping out at home but he chooses not to.