Lisatexmom
enthusiast
Posts: 853
Reg: 01-19-05
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04-12-11 01:15 PM - Post#129128
My beloved son is 16 years old, I am thinking of starting to give him an allowance. He will not get this for free, he will have to do chores, clean, take care of the dog (which he basically all ready does), wash his clothes (on a regular basis), etc.
I figure since he is more active with his friends that it will be a good way for him to have money instead of me worrying or trying to meet him some place to give him money. We have talked about him getting a job, but he is busy with after school activities and he is also working at the church to make money that goes towards a mission trip.
What is the going rate for allowance? $20.00 a week, every other week?
Thanks in advance for your time/help!!!
| Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend. - Albert Camus |
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workingmom
enthusiast
Posts: 1089
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 06-03-04
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04-12-11 03:07 PM - Post#129144
In response to Lisatexmom
I don't personally pay allowances but I have read about it and considered it over the years. From my research, and of course depending on your budget and what you expect your child to purchase with allowance, around $16 per week would be appropriate.
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lostyankee
enthusiast
Posts: 1336
Reg: 10-27-05
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04-12-11 06:33 PM - Post#129154
In response to workingmom
I like Dave Ramsey's philosophy on this. He calls them commissions rather than allowances. Some would say semantics, but I think it makes a big difference. You're allowed to live in my home and be fed, you commit certain behaviors and earn a commission.
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Lisatexmom
enthusiast
Posts: 853
Reg: 01-19-05
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04-13-11 10:42 AM - Post#129187
In response to lostyankee
What I was thinking of doing was a contract, at anytime if something happens, such as, breaking curfew, playing on the computer instead of doing chores, not calling me and (the big one) if I ever find him lying to me – I am sure there will be more, but we are just playing with the idea at this moment, he will not get his allowance or commission for that week. I and only me - can cancel the contract at anytime if I feel it is not working and or if he is not holding up to the contract as expected.
If he wants spending money to go hang out with his friends this is what he will need to do – instead of me just giving him money here and there. That is the way I feel anyway and I am hoping it will put some responsibility in him, instead of a computer nerd (nothing wrong with that, just don’t want my son on the computer 24/7) or sitting on the sofa watching TV all day, which I can be found guilty of myself – but as I told him, I have a job and I pay for the TV and I pay for the cable and I pay for the right for us to live where we do. Sorry got on my high horse there for a minute. lol :o)
Does that sound good? Or am I going over board?
| Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend. - Albert Camus |
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momatboyd
member
Posts: 28
Reg: 06-24-04
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04-13-11 03:27 PM - Post#129211
In response to Lisatexmom
We pay our son by the job. There are certain standard chores he does around the house in exchange for extras on his phone (i.e. texting)or for playing on-line games. Above that, we normally talk a head of time to determine what the job is worth; how hard is it, how long will it take him, etc. I have been pleasently surprised how realistic our son is on the pay expectations. We have been doing this since he was 10; received his first video game console (I buy the console, he buys the games).
Edited by momatboyd on 04-13-11 03:28 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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monita
enthusiast
Posts: 443
Reg: 06-05-08
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04-13-11 06:12 PM - Post#129228
In response to Lisatexmom
I think it sounds fair.
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SAS
enthusiast
Posts: 230
Reg: 10-09-02
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04-14-11 01:44 PM - Post#129264
In response to monita
There are other methods: pay per week = age in years, pay for good grades, etc. I don't subscribe to these methods, but know of many parents who do. YMMV
We've always given our kids a specific amount since they were in 1st grade, but a portion of that must go into savings, and they are expected to spend their own money for movies, snacks, video games, gifts, etc. We don't give them a lot of money for holidays/birthdays. They are expected to help their family willingly around the house (without an attitude), make good grades, be responsible, help out with house projects, and do volunteer work in return for their 'pay day'. They get paid once a month, and have to manage their expenses monthly, just as we do.
Leaving them to their own financial management, one child has naturally emerged as a saver, and one is a spender (vintage video game collector). However, the "spender" is incredibly good at knowing prices/value of items, has experience in buying/selling items on ebay/yard sales, and has a greater understanding of financial management. The "saver" doesn't even know how much money is in her account! Go figure. :)
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acs815
enthusiast
Posts: 248
Reg: 06-08-07
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04-14-11 04:56 PM - Post#129280
In response to Lisatexmom
In lieu of allowance, which I could never keep up with we decided to create a chore box. It's a index card box with a bunch of index cards in it with different chores and a dollar amount. We sat down and created the cards together, agreed on dollar values. It's really worked well for us, and and let me tell you, if something is coming up that she's trying to earn money for she'll start pulling lots of cards. Some of the cards are clean her bathroom for $5.00, dust the front room for $2.00, etc. She has to do a minimum of 5 different cards a week and can't do the same task twice in 1 week (of course, these are rules that were set in place after she figured out if she cleaned her bathroom everyday she'd get $5 each time). :)
Edited by acs815 on 04-14-11 04:57 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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allen
enthusiast
Posts: 1965
Reg: 12-02-05
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04-26-11 12:11 AM - Post#129916
In response to acs815
16 year-olds are old enough for real jobs. Allowances are for little kids.
| We sittin' here, I'm supposed to be a franchise player....and we in here talkin' 'bout PRACTICE? |
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Lisatexmom
enthusiast
Posts: 853
Reg: 01-19-05
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04-26-11 09:58 AM - Post#129935
In response to Lisatexmom
We have talked about him getting a job, but he is busy with after school activities and he is also working at the church to make money that goes towards a mission trip.
Did you read my post? Quote above just in case you missed that section.
But thanks for your comment - your time is appreciated. 
| Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend. - Albert Camus |
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