My son just started his first serious job and we have him pay us a certain amount a week to reimburse us for the expenses we pay on his behalf. Part of the rent, his share of the cell phone plan, and his part of the car insurance. We were talking about it tonight and he asked how much of his money actually went towards paying bills. I said that he was reimbursing us, that the bills had already been paid, and that it didn't really matter what we did with it. Am I right, or does he have a right to be concerned?
2007-07-24 12:42:39 · 18 answers · asked by kitten lover3 7 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
He'll be 19 in September.
2007-07-24 12:47:23 · update #1
No, we're only taking a small percentage. He makes about $300 a week and we take $65.
2007-07-24 12:51:48 · update #2
You are absolutely right. His question reflects a lack of understanding about how budgets and household finances work and represents and opportunity to teach him so that when he's on his own, he'll know how to make and follow a budget plan and won't fall into debt alongside his classmates.
2007-07-24 12:48:43 · answer #1 · answered by nightserf 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I can see you having him to be responsible in life but i think you are being a bit to over baring with his money. It is his first job, ok it is your son an you are his parents so it was your job to provide for him until he was able to do on his own. i don't no if hes out of school or not. I feel he so have the right to be concern it is his money. an if he was on his own he would no where an what it was going towards. I feel if you havve it on your mind then it is a concern to all of yall, maybe you should ask he to give yall an amount that he thinks would be good and see if it makes since to yall, cause if hes spending all his money out to yall then he will might feel that its no need to work or his family suppose to be helping him not takin all he has or he might want to move out saying if he has to pay all this here why not, when you no hes not ready for that so yes i think he has the right to be concern.
2007-07-24 20:00:19 · answer #2 · answered by kitty 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since he is living with you, and he agreed to pay a certain amount to you out of his check, ( I hope it's a percentage, that way it won't matter how many hours he works), then I say it's your business what you spend they money he gives you on.
Having him pay part of these living expenses is an excellent way for him to learn responsibility. He probably had high hopes for the wages he's earning and a list of things to spend them on. As long as you aren't taking more than half, I think you're doing the right thing.
2007-07-24 19:48:51 · answer #3 · answered by dynonugget 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How old is your son?
If he's old enough to be out on his own, then no he doesn't have the right to be concerned.
His landlord wouldn't be telling him where the money was going.
But:
If he's younger than 18, I don't think that's right.
I think it's good to have him pay for part of his cell phone bill and his car insurance, but rent??? That's just not right.
So it basically goes according to his age :)
2007-07-24 19:47:54 · answer #4 · answered by MommaBear 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He asked the question, which was good. He is learning fiscal responsibility.
You have already paid the bills. He is paying you back, so the real answer to his question is "all of it".
I don't see why it's an issue. You are going to pay the bills next month again anyway, so even if you didn't spend it, you would use it to pay the bills, then pay the bills, and on, and on....
2007-07-24 19:56:12 · answer #5 · answered by Dave V 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He definitely has a right to be concerned. If i was in his position I would feel as if i were being taxed for being part of the family. But at the same time, it seems like a harsh way to show him the reality of life, and demonstrate to him how to take care of his money. But if you really want to make him pay I think that you should make a deal with him. If he can help out with certain chores around the house then he would be exempt from having to pay.
2007-07-24 19:50:22 · answer #6 · answered by emanyio712 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's all the same pot. Monetary units are interchangeable. That's the point of money.
He has the right to negotiate. The point being he could leave and get his own place rather than pay you. That he's asking suggests he thinks your price is high. But he should understand the nature of money is that it is transferable and to ask how much of it is spent on bills is kind of pointless. He may or may not know the price of having your own place is higher monetarily but priceless in terms of personal freedom.
2007-07-24 19:49:06 · answer #7 · answered by anotherbsdparent 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He has no right to know what you are doing with it if he is living under your roof.
Just a thought, my parents did the same thing as I bounced back and forth during college; but, unknown to me they put it in a money market account and gave it all too me after I was done with college. I learned a lot of good lessons about responsibility and financial prudence. I plan on doing the same for my children.
Also, the money helped me buy my first home.
2007-07-24 19:52:13 · answer #8 · answered by jstusucks 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
no matter his age he is living under your roof and enjoying a space you pay for. if he is old enough to be paying rent he should be, no matter what you use it on. he'd have to pay anyone else without knowing what the money he exchanged for living went to. whether directly or indirectly the "ten" he pays you for the "fifty" dollar utility bill is going toward the utility bill. hope that helps. this is coming from a young man who once lived under mom and dads roof learning responsibility the same way yours is.
2007-07-24 19:55:09 · answer #9 · answered by shadedmoss 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You already told him, rent, his share of the cell phone and part car insurance. He should be grateful that you are paying every in advance if does not like tell him to try it on his own. ( I do not mean to sound cold) He does not know how lucky he is.........
2007-07-24 19:50:04 · answer #10 · answered by Stephanie P 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋