How much pocket money for a pre-teen?

Question

My kids all get $10 fortnightly for their personal use ($5 guaranteed, $5 if chores are done). This is strictly personal cash. I still pay for lunches,excursions, canteen etc. My eldest daughter now has a mobile and I also give her $20 fortnightly credit, that seems like a lot to me (most of it is used texting friends in the evening where a 5 minute phone call would be sufficient). Just wondering how other parents manage pocket money with their kids. Looking for some ideas regarding 'normal' pocket money range (my 11 YO tells me some friends get $50 a week) whilst attempting to encourage a sense that money isn't easy to come by,and saving is important if you really want something. Any input much appreciated.

Answer 1

We have a 16 yr old boy a 15yrd girl a 11 yr old gr and 3 younger kids. My advice is be strict with the money and really make them earn it! Our oldest kids are my step and live haf time with their mother. They are paid for everything and then given extra. The children who reside in our home ar able to manage money at only 11, 8, and 6. We have a bank ( a lock box) when they get Bday money they get half in their pocket and half in the bank. Allowance is for chores (at 11 my child gets $5 a week) all to the bank. They don't have it in their pocket to spend or laying a round to lose. If they want spending money they fill out a withdrawl slip and we will approve or deny it. We are pretty easy about giving the money if they go through the effort of turning in the little paper. We still give the older a few extra opportunites to earn other pocket money but she does have to EARN it. We buy most clothes and all necessary things but extra's she has to buy. Now she really pays attention o price and product. Our older kids walk around with more money on them that us! And they they still complain if we don't buy them evrything they ask for. They think jeans ar only good if they are from a store at the mall and cost over $50.00.



Read the book America's cheapest family. They have a n awesome idea on teaching children about money.

Answer 2

I think you're giving them a good amount, and in a good way, but maybe a bit too much for that mobile! What is she doing to earn that? I think $50 a week will only lead to trouble! I remember in high school, that the kids with the most pocket money spent it on the worst possible things, and I'm not talking about impractical clothes, I'm talking about drugs. For some reason, this didn't apply so much with kids earning money from after school jobs.



Anyway, I really can't imagine what a pre-teen would need more than $20 a month for if you're paying for most of their expenses. I think you're teaching them some good lessons about money!

Answer 3

Lela, you need to provide them with a small amount of money each week, so that they will have money in their pockets. Their job, right now, is to do well in school so that they can make good money when they start working for real after graduation. They have food, a home, clothes and a family. Those are the important things, and good for you for providing for them. You did not say how old they are, but they, perhaps, can do chores for some neighbors during the summer, helping with grass cutting, raking, etc. Maybe you can get them to plant a garden at home to raise vegetables for sale? Seeds don't cost much. In fact, if you have a green pepper, the seeds in it can be planted and turned into more green peppers. Same with zucchini, cantaloupe, watermelon, tomatoes, etc. Just an idea. Keep up the good work. Regards, Dan

Answer 4

My 11 and 9 yr old boys both get $5 per week if all chores are done. My younger child (6) does not get an allowance yet.

Of the $5 - $1 into the bank, $1 for charity, $3 to be spent as they choose. The older spends it all on candy, etc. The younger saves almost all of it.

Answer 5

I would say that preteens in reality don't need pocket money. If you think about it, they don't drive, thus they can't really "hang out" all the time with their friends at restaurants, malls, ect (either way they shouldn't be in cars with teenagers). When I was a preteen I would always play outside or just go play at a friend's house. I would only ask my mother for money on the rare occasions that I would go to a movie, the ice cream man, ect.



So I would say if you want to give them pocket money, the amount you're giving them is fine. That money will be more needed when they become teenagers and start going to other places more often.

Answer 6

If your 11 you tells you that 'some' friends get $50/wk, I'd bet it's not very many, or the kids are lying, or the parents tell them they will give them $50/wk but only give it a couple of times/yr. My kids are 11 and 12 and get $5/wk, of which they give .50 to church and put $1 in the bank. The money they have can only be spent in approved ways. They have the opportunity to earn more if they want, and sometimes they will do that to get more for special things they want. Of their friends, I'd say most are given $5-$10/wk, BUT I do not know of ANY of them whose parents actually give them an allowance every single week. Sometimes they get it and sometimes they don't.

Answer 7

Are you serious that is really crazy!!! To tell you the truth I am glad my parents aren't doing that for me. I'm 18 and I have had to work for everything in my life so far. I never got chore money or just spending money. I had to earn everything that I made. I think that the money should be lowered to maybe $20 a WEEK if that!!

Answer 8

A preteen should have 5-10 at the most. A preteen should still be accompanied by an adult so if something is needed she can ask permission. By the way, the oldest has it too good!

Answer 9

I think a good allowance for an 11 year old is $15 week.

Answer 10

My 11-year-old is a very generous kid, and if I gave her pocket money she'd end up "lending" it out to kids who forgot their lunch, and probably never get it back. I give her money for whatever she needs, as the needs come up.

Answer 11

first the way you are supplying the money is great they do good things they reciece good things. any way monitor what your children do with thre free time and and see exactly what amount is needed. your oldest teen more money equals more showing off so see what she or he needs more for if nothing to important than continue with the current amount. as they grow and you continue to dis the money the way you do i believe they will come to love thevalue of an dollar

Answer 12

THEY DONT NEED MONEY, the only thing they should have is you. And your 11YO is lying, cause the parents would be rich, he is scamming u to get more $$



Kids shouldn't get money for what the are expected to do! (that means no money for chores)

Answer 13

$1 is too much. At pre-teen age they don't need any money. If they want money they need to get a job and earn it. That worked for me when I was young, many decades ago.

Answer 14

They dont need any pocket money. Unless it is used to buy food,shelter,or water.

Answer 15

How much money pocket money should a pre-teen get?? $0.00 They don't need money!!

Answer 16

60 dollar or 25 dollars