What to charge DS for housekeeping?

BillyBear_2 · 2 November 2008 at 2:37PM

My 18 year old has left school and now working. He doesnt earn a lot - about £500 a month. I really need to charge some sort of housekeeping as child benefit, tax credits and Child maintenance have stopped for him, but I don't know what to ask for. What do other people think? Many thanks.

liney · 2 November 2008 at 2:57PM

How much have you lost in total now that he's working?

Lots of parents seem to say 1 third of their income when asked on earlier threads - 1/3 spend 1/3 save 1/3 board.

Would that cover your loss?

BillyBear_2 · 2 November 2008 at 3:09PM

No it doesn't, although I'm not trying to recoup what I've lost. More just wanting him to contribute. Thanks for the 1/3 tip. That makes it nice and easy.:T

starbump · 2 November 2008 at 3:32PM

No one will agree with me but I wouldn't charge my child for living in the family home. He's going to be leaving home soon and no amount of money will make up for it. However, that's just my opinion and not a criticism of the OP.

These threads may be useful:
Working children paying keep - how much?
Once your kids are earning should you charge them housekeeping?
Adult son starting 1st job - how much should he pay (staying at home)?

blottedcopybook · 2 November 2008 at 4:13PM

starbump wrote: »

No one will agree with me but I wouldn't charge my child for living in the family home. He's going to be leaving home soon and no amount of money will make up for it. However, that's just my opinion and not a criticism of the OP.

These threads may be useful:
Working children paying keep - how much?
Once your kids are earning should you charge them housekeeping?
Adult son starting 1st job - how much should he pay (staying at home)?

I wouldn't either, but what I would do is take a proportion of his wages every month and let him think it's for board etc and put it away for when he leaves to get his own place. It gets him into the habit of budgetting and paying his way but could potentially see him with a nice bundle of savings to get himself set for independant living.

That said, I think I would also reinforce that as a working adult in the household it's his responsibility to take on more of the duties around the house like proportional amounts of housework, cooking the dinner etc to take the load of you a little bit.

RedBern · 2 November 2008 at 4:14PM

starbump wrote: »

No one will agree with me but I wouldn't charge my child for living in the family home. He's going to be leaving home soon and no amount of money will make up for it. However, that's just my opinion and not a criticism of the OP.

and in the real world he's going to find out how expensive it is when your mum's not doing everything for you. Personally I think you should take something from him - even if you put it into an account to help pay his deposit when he is ready to move on. (note to self ... practice what you preach re DD!:D)

doelani · 2 November 2008 at 4:21PM

starbump wrote: »

He's going to be leaving home soon and no amount of money will make up for it. However, that's just my opinion and not a criticism of the OP.

they do not always leave , my 21 year old and 18 year old are still here and say they are NEVER leaving lol

gremlin · 2 November 2008 at 4:34PM

doelani wrote: »

they do not always leave , my 21 year old and 18 year old are still here and say they are NEVER leaving lol

hah thats nothing, you could have years yet lol

my SIL has her 28 yo & 30 yo's STILL at home. :eek: Mental

christineperseus · 2 November 2008 at 4:45PM

My big bro still lives at home - he's 54 on his bidet!!!
He gives my mother £450 a month - which I don't think is NEARLY enough.
When she's gone that won't even cover the bills and council tax - he has no idea of what things cost.

kr15snw · 2 November 2008 at 5:03PM

My brother is 30 and lives at home as he only pays £200 a month. He earns about £25k a year...

He is not saving for property and spends all his money on big tvs and fast cars, and has openly admitted he has no ideas of moving out as he is very happy there....

All his cooking, cleaning and everything is done for him. He gets tea put on his lap on a tray and then the dirty plate is took off his lap at the end of the meal. His dirty clothes are picked up off his bedroom floor and returned to his wardrobe ironed. His bed is made for him each morning and his room is dusted and vacuumed.

Personally, I think he needs a kick up the !!!.

But anyway. I think you have to charge them something otherwise that take things for granted and never plan to move out, and just want to sponge! If you do not need the money then take what is a fair amount (the 1/3 rule sounds good) and put it in a secret savings account so that when they say they want to move out they have a sizeable sum to put towards their deposit (this is what my MIL did for the OH, he was very surprised by the 10k cheque!)

skintchick · 2 November 2008 at 6:26PM

What are his plans? Is this a prt-time job before he goes to college? An apprenticeship?

I think it depends if this is a stepping stone or if he is just working pt and expecting you to pay for his way.

If it's a stepping stone then support him a bit and don;t charge hom until he's earning properly but if he is being lazy then charge him to kick him into gear!

I had a gap between A levels and college and worked full time but didn;t pay board. After I left college I got my own flat and paid everything from my wages.

What to charge DS for housekeeping?

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