My daughter is a full time student at a vocational school and still lives at home but is working part time. Can I ask her to help pay for utilities or do I still need to support her?
2007-04-06 09:09:29 · 18 answers · asked by lilia2188@sbcglobal.net 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
I was paying my parents $20 a week from the time I was 16 until the time I moved out at 21. That was 16 years ago! I also had to pay my own car insurance and car loan. I think parents should charge older kids to teach them responsibility. Nothing is for free. One thing I kind of resented though was when I got married and I also had to pay for most of my wedding. I figured my parents should have saved the money I gave them and used it towards my wedding because it was at that point that I started going into debt due to wedding expenses.
2007-04-06 09:15:26 · answer #1 · answered by ♥Trying♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is what I had happen with me. Because I was workiong a part time my parents wanted to teach me about money and how it was goingt o work in the real world. they made me pay a mock rent (I really gave tehm the money) but instead of them pocketing it, they put it into a savings account for me. If you really dont' need help on the bills this would be unfair to take money from her and use it. This idea (my parents used) helped me learn the value of responsible spending, budgeting and what it is like to have to pay rent and bills (they included a sum for each item that I may have to pay). If you go this rout PLEASE research the cost of apartments in the area. My parents started charging me for my room, way too much. I petitioned the charges and got it lowered (my room in the real world cost about 500/mo in the area I live in). They were charging me 1300 (plus mock utilities), wich is enough for a large 1 or even small 2 bedroom place!
You may want to get her to perhaps pay her own phone.
Additionally.... You want to put the money that you retain into a high interest savings account. I foulnd a few online that give 5% or more per year! This will set her up for the future. Just so you know, I took wha tI saved and put it into my first car (which I paid in full in 2004.). Was a 2004 Kia Rio and I still have it and it works great!
2007-04-06 09:19:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that depends on the person... If she works really hard and barely makes it by, then I would say probably not. Its very hard to be 18 and going to school full time AND part time working. Most people may not think school is a full time job, but it is. School takes up a lot of time and when shes not working, she probably likes to spend time with her friends. But maybe you could ask her to pitch in on the groceries or give you like 50-75$ per paycheck just to help you.
At least she's not 23 like my brother who still lives at home! :)
2007-04-06 09:16:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is 18, then she is still learning to cope on her own. Make a deal with her maybe that when she turns 19 she will have to start paying for utilities or at least helping out more around the house (which she should start doing now in any case.) But I would wait a year before asking her to pay for utilities because give her some time to adjust to the fulltime student life and find her feet before forcing the real world on her. It just makes it easier for her that way. But definitely talk to her about it so that she understands why she will have to start paying rent.
2007-04-06 09:14:57 · answer #4 · answered by laislinns 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
make her pitch in on the small things. ex. grocery money, half of a utility that's higher priced for you.....make her pay her own way for all the things she wants. I'm 21 and still at home so that I can finish paying off my car, but I work full time and my mother has me buy the groceries and pay the cable bill.
2007-04-06 09:24:55 · answer #5 · answered by Marray 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was 18, I was responsible for ALL of my bills and went to school FT. I was not allowed to live at home and paid for all of my education. The least your daughter can do is pay a piddly ol' utility bill. Babying your daughter is NOT teaching her self reliance and personal responsibility. It is not going to hurt her and it will help you to learn that you can put your foot down and things will be OK.
2007-04-06 09:15:53 · answer #6 · answered by TwinkaTee 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have a 19 yo son, I make him pay the house phone and DSL hook up, he is a full time student and part time pizza dude, I tell him to bring home pizza once in awhile, He pays his own car insurance and I am thinking of having him pay half the electric and cost of AC being on,
you need to start weening her from the teet, and it is a good learning curve for having them grow up, have her buy groceries once in awhile little things, I dont know how much she makes,
2007-04-06 09:14:30 · answer #7 · answered by rich2481 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Heavens no you shouldn't be fully supporting her! Kids need to learn about the real world and that means paying your share. It will be good for her to have to help out with the bills. Either that or charge her rent for staying there. She's an adult and would have to pay rent anywhere else.
2007-04-06 09:21:57 · answer #8 · answered by wish I were 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was in her place at one time. I would say that if you really need finacial help have her pay for two or three bills(cable or her car insurance). If you are not in finacial help just ask her to pay her car insurance.It has to be cheap bills because honestly even though she turned 18 she still thinks like a kid.
2007-04-06 09:22:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she isn't paying her own way through school, I think you could ask her to help out with some of the household bills. It depends on the type of money she makes and other expenses she incurs (books, car note, insurance....).
2007-04-06 09:13:56 · answer #10 · answered by deejay30 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋