Thinking of putting DD14 on a budget, suggestions needed.

[bluesaturn]

Along these lines - I buy soap, shampoo etc. for the house. My 12 year old daughter is starting to get more particular about some of these items - she wants products that are made for frizzy or dry hair - which often cost a lot more that the stuff I have been buying. How do you decide which products you are willing to buy and how much you are willing to spend? She does get a weekly allowance and she is paying for texting on her phone out of her allowance because she is the only one in the family to use texting.

Is her hair frizzy? I would be somewhat lenient about things like hair and skin during those early teen years. The fact is, their hair and skin are changing. They can't use the same stuff they used as kids, and sometimes it takes awhile to figure out what works with their skin. And what works might suddenly change too. I think that's part of the "gimmes" in the toiletry aisles for teens, they are trying to figure out how to deal with their acne, dry skin, frizzy hair, etc.

To head off the trying 17 different shampoos to find the one that works, you could ask a stylist you trust what kind of drugstore products would work with your daughter's hair. Honestly even the salon products aren't that bad of a deal. They come in huge bottles that last forever (for me), and they frequently go on sale at Ulta.

 

[Leader of the Club]

I have a DS14 and its a little different with boys. He doesn't care what kind of personal care items he uses. He'll use whatever is handy. And he'll wear whatever he can find--even if its off of his bedroom floor.

But he does think he needs every video game and NERF item that comes out. He has been working for 2 years and earns about $100 a month. I make him bank a portion of it to save for his big ticket buys. He has bought himself an XBOX 360 and an iPhone. He pays for Netflix every month and his cell phone. The rest he blows at the mall on junk food and clothes and video games.

I usually have him pay for 1/2 of his Boy Scout and youth group trips.

 

[Bowen9475]

Is her hair frizzy? I would be somewhat lenient about things like hair and skin during those early teen years. The fact is, their hair and skin are changing. They can't use the same stuff they used as kids, and sometimes it takes awhile to figure out what works with their skin. And what works might suddenly change too. I think that's part of the "gimmes" in the toiletry aisles for teens, they are trying to figure out how to deal with their acne, dry skin, frizzy hair, etc.

To head off the trying 17 different shampoos to find the one that works, you could ask a stylist you trust what kind of drugstore products would work with your daughter's hair. Honestly even the salon products aren't that bad of a deal. They come in huge bottles that last forever (for me), and they frequently go on sale at Ulta.

You make some very good, and helpful, points. Thank you

 

[punkin]

Is her hair frizzy? I would be somewhat lenient about things like hair and skin during those early teen years. The fact is, their hair and skin are changing. They can't use the same stuff they used as kids, and sometimes it takes awhile to figure out what works with their skin. And what works might suddenly change too. I think that's part of the "gimmes" in the toiletry aisles for teens, they are trying to figure out how to deal with their acne, dry skin, frizzy hair, etc.

To head off the trying 17 different shampoos to find the one that works, you could ask a stylist you trust what kind of drugstore products would work with your daughter's hair. Honestly even the salon products aren't that bad of a deal. They come in huge bottles that last forever (for me), and they frequently go on sale at Ulta.

This.

My DD12 has frizzy hair and a very dry/dandruff prone scalp. Her shampoos and conditioners cost a fortune and I gladly pay for them. I also pay for face wash and acne medication (very expensive). On the other hand, I don't think I should pay for blue nail polish. She can pay for it herself or use the reds and pinks I already have in the house.

 

[mhsjax]

We give our kids $50.00 per month. They do with it what they want. At first I thought it was a bad decision, but after a coupe of years, they have learned. When we first started, they would spend their money on anything for immediate gratification, now, they are tight wads. They have learned to save and that something they want more will always come along.

I do buy what they need, I don't skimp on skincare, 2 of them are teens, and they use Clinque Acne system and they don't have any pimples since they started. The 2 older one do like the name brand stores, the expensive ones. I buy things only on sale and for a certain amt. If they want an expensive item, I tell them what I would be willing to pay and they have to come up with the difference. DD knows now that I will say no to something that isn't on sale and since she has to spend her own money on it, she gets it and there is not so much as a eye bat at the word no. They aren't old enough to work and if they were, frankly, there isn't any time for them to do so, but I do require quite a bit of help around the house and they do comply without attitude, or no allowance.

Anyway, OP, I hope this helps to some extent.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Op here. Thanks for those of you who gave suggestions. She is actually very good with her money. We do most of the things you all mentioned. It isn't that she doesn't know how to manage money when it is hers. If she wants something lets say from Holister, she knows I am not going to buy it unless it is an amazing deal. We will split cost on things like that. I remember how it was to be 14/15 yrs old and want the in thing. For example she knows I am not about to go to the Buckle and buy her a pair of Miss Me Jeans, so we went to a resale shop, Plato's Closet the other day. She found a pair of Miss Me Jeans for $45 and a couple of other things. She offer to pay half which was about $35 dollars towards the purchase. So she does get it. The only time it is a problem is Walmart or Target and it is make-up, hair stuff etc... I don't really believe in an allowance, I think she earn money like I did, babysitting or pet sitting which she does. We give her money if she is going out with friends to a movie etc... But, I do think I am going to give money for those items and she will be responsible for buying them. I just can't decide what is a fair amount.

Hairspray and facial cleanser are the only things my mom would buy me when I was that age. (Everyone in the house used the same shampoo/conditioner so we bought those in bulk.) Anything else I wanted, I had to buy with my own money (including make-up). Which came from the summer job I had starting at 14 not an allowance.

Make-up is really not so much a necessity but an extra at that age. Just as the "in items" you know she would like to have, but you are not willing to pay full price for them (can't blame you...not when a brand of a different name would be just as well for cheaper). So, if your daughter wants the make-up, she needs to buy it. Who is going to buy these items for her once she's in college or out on her own? I think it's important for her to start seeing what she spends on make-up and other items she considers necessities (clothes not included, however, she should start paying for her own clothes as well).

 

[BoardWalkBelle]

not that this has much to do with the topic..(but then again, i guess it does) my mom related this story to me..she said when i was little. maybe 5 or so i wanted something and my mom said no becasue we didnt have the money, then my wise 5 yr od self piped up with " just go to the bank, theyll give you the money "" lol out of the mouths of babes..