Should parents pay for all their teens expenses?!?

Answer 1

Hell, no.

Food, shelter, education, health care and basic clothing. Everything else that the kid wants, they should work for--cell phones, designer clothes, movies, video games, and yes, even a car.

Answer 2

If they want an irresponsible teen, then go right ahead.

There is no reason for parents to pay for all of a teen's expenses. If the teen has a way of making money, there is no reason that a teen can't pay some of their own expenses (buying electronic items, paying for tickets to concerts or events, buying the more expensive clothing, etc). Maybe dealing with them on the end of the parents paying for the "necessities", while the teen pays for the "extras". It may not be popular with the teens, but I think in the end, the teen will thank their parents. I know I do every day.

Answer 3

Well, actually while your kids are teens is the best time to start teaching them about money if you haven't started yet. Give them an allowance, give them optional jobs around the house to earn more (Such as washing cars, windows, etc...) and let them learn how to spend their money on extras. For example: if a teen wants a brand name tennis shoe that costs over $100 and you want to buy them the $60.00 pair because it's a more reasonable expense, then offer to pay the $60 towards the shoes and they can pay the remainder from their allowance....

Answer 4

depends on what the teen consideres an expense. Like they don't need to have 8 pairs of shoes and if they want that many they need a job. They don't need a cell phone or a car those things teens should pay for

Answer 5

I suppose it depends on the personality of the teen. Generally, I think it's appropriate to give kids more financial responsibility as they grow older. That means upping the allowance, but also the things they're responsible for buying. This teaches teens to manage their finances, and budget esp. if your limits and amounts are set in stone. Growing up, my Dad would say, I'm giving you $1000 a year to buy clothes. I don't care if you spend it on 20 outfits at k-mart or 10 outfits at the gap. Or if you buy all winter clothes, or all summer clothes (when we were younger, he did it seasonally). But when you've spent it all, you can't come crying to me for more. I don't care if you have to wear the same three outfits for a year. That's it. We knew the rules, we appreciated the freedom, and learned from our mistakes.

Teens should have a bank account, both checking and savings, and they should be using them. For later teen years, a credit card with a low limit might be a good idea (depends on the individual) -- it's better for them to learn about credit while they're still under your roof, than when they go off to college and succumb to one or more of the many on-campus bank marketing campaigns.

Answer 6

It depends on the age of the child. If they are 14-17, I think some responsibility should be mandatory.
When I was a senior in high school I worked 30 hours a week, so they I could have the money I wanted. Along the way it taught me money management and budgeting.
My mother still payed for household expenses and I payed for the "trivial" things I wanted.
She still bought the groceries but once a week I took her out to dinner with my own money.
It is an invaluable lesson for teenagers to learn. Plus it will be less of a culture shock when they got out on their own.
My mother firmly believed in Independence. When I got my first car at 18 she did not put me on her auto insurance because then I would not completely be responsible for my own actions.
So in short, responsibility is a stepping stone for all young adults.

Answer 7

depends sometimes if its like a buss pass or school activities you can claim these monies on your taxes... I know this is true up here in canada. as for other stuff though, teens should be able to hold up a part time job (2 or 3 days a week) and school. if they do chores at home then they should be entitled to some cheap form of allowance (i.e. match the hourly wage they make) so if you do this maturly and teach your child to manage their money you should not be considered a bank.

Answer 8

I have a younger step-brother and my mom (against her will) and step-dad pay for everything for him. He is 18 but still in school. If he needs a special shampoo for dandruf, they buy it. If they go out to eat without him he wont cook for himself so when they return they have to go get him fast food. Not to sound jealous but I think it is ridiculous. When I was 16 I bought just about everything for myself besides being able to stay with my mom and have bought my own car insurance since I could drive.

Well, my step-brother has had a DUI, he has now started taking drugs and gets in fights at school a lot because of being so spoiled and sadly it is too late for his dad to intervene.

The gap is closing on your authority over him. Teach him to be an independent, responsible person. He will have more respect for you in the long run

Answer 9

No, if they wants to drive they will work. I personally feel they need to help pay for upkeep on their can and pay the car insurance premium. If the parent wants to give the money back by putting it into savings, thats fine.

A parents responsibility is to give them food and shelter, and basic clothing . I do stress basic. They need to pay for education but extra sports ect the teen can help pay for if he really wants it. They are more willing to follow thru or take care of the things they have to pay for....

But they need to learn that everything costs money and they have to learn to budget their money.

Answer 10

No. Teens need to take responsibility for some things or they wont learn the value of money. Babysitting or a part time job should be in the picture or some sort of contribution in the house to receive an allowance. My daughter buys her own magazines, knick knacks, Cd's and such.

Answer 11

I think parents should pay for the necessities like shampoo, toothpaste, food, clothes, etc. However, if the teen wants something like an ipod, a cd, a certain name brand of clothes, that's when they should get a job and pay for those things.