teenager starting full time work - how much 'board' to pay for living at home?

Savvy_Sue

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Although I agree about looking at outgoings together, I don't see that it's a question of what he offers. OP needs to decide what to charge him and then stick to it; it shouldn't be voluntary.

I probably wasn't clear. I'd see what he offered, BUT I'd have a very clear figure in mind, and if it wasn't as much as that I'd be explaining why his figure wasn't reasonable. OTOH, mine are very numerate, and I'd hope they'd 'click' very quickly how much things cost. Actually I'm at an advantage in that the two older ones are off at Uni so are learning fast ...

Anyway, the OP seems to have it sussed now to her satisfaction, and that's what matters.

shadej

Since when did paying for rent bills and food become voluntary. He should have no choice. The Op seems to have worked out whats best and judging by their post their son seem very reasonable and well bought up.

LouBlue

Rikki wrote: »

If the contribution is voluntary what lesson is that teaching?

When a child becomes an adult and earns a wage they need to learn the value of money. You try to give them an idea of the costs they are likely to pay if the have their own place. If you leave it up to them they will have money just to waste and never really learn to budget. I'm not saying divide the house costs and make him contribute but he should pay at least a third of his take home pay towards the running costs of the home and the services he gets.

It shouldn't matter if you need the money or not. Its about helping to prepare them for the future.

Totally agree. Me and my 2 sisters always paid a third of our take home pay. We didn't argue with her, she didn't force us but we respected how hard she always worked to keep a roof over our head, so it was a no brainer. We also knew (reluctantly obviously...) that it would help us in the long run when we eventually moved out, and it did. And if OP doesn't need the money, then put it away for him and give it to him possibly when he needs help towards a deposit for a place of his own, or for a car or something like that.

Volvic

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Ignore him; he's probably never heard of council tax and electricity bills either!

Excuse me? I wasn't rude to you, or the OP. Please don't disrespect me.

My cousin has just moved out of his mum's and has moved into a 1 bed flat for £235 a month, all inclusive. Except food of course. It is possible. And I live in Sunderland, I'm not saying a posh flat in Notting Hill. But it is possible for youths to get alright accommodation for affordable rates.

ditzymuppet

I think this works out about right.... I pay my parents £500 a month ( I take home £1200) they pay in £300 to a deposit account for a flat.... I know that this is a bargain for the area I live in.... I am looking for a house share at the moment.... I'd be lucky to find a pokey flatshare for about £450 pcm.... hence why I'm constantly buying my mother flowers and my father beer and chocolate

Good luck

Oldernotwiser

Volvic wrote: »

Excuse me? I wasn't rude to you, or the OP. Please don't disrespect me.

I think you mean disagree; don't go getting all Ali G on here!

brenda_p_a

Volvic wrote: »

Excuse me? I wasn't rude to you, or the OP. Please don't disrespect me.

My cousin has just moved out of his mum's and has moved into a 1 bed flat for £235 a month, all inclusive. Except food of course. It is possible. And I live in Sunderland, I'm not saying a posh flat in Notting Hill. But it is possible for youths to get alright accommodation for affordable rates.

Just ignore that user Volvic,every forum has them

Lunar_Eclipse

Some fairly indignant and confident replies so far.

Since the OP has said she wants a contribution, I think around £50 fits this. Much higher and there could be consequences such as encouraging him back into education, to leave home and rent elsewhere or to find much higher paid employment, since it would leave him with very little. In fact it could also make some people very despondent at going to work at all, not what any parent would want for someone starting out in their working life.

Personally I would want to set rent at a level that allowed for some saving for their ultimate life, ie one independent of my mine.

Interestingly, I paid my Mum £50/week when I had my first (gap year) job, earning £200/week. She then gave it back to me when I went to university, since she was worried I hadn't been saving (which I had). Obviously they didn't need the money as much as the OP.

It is clear we all have different ideas on what is fair.

morganb

oystercatcher wrote: »

I seem to be unusual in that I don't charge my 19 yr old Policeman son any rent.
We worked out what rent, bills and food would cost if he moved into a room in a shared house. Added on a bit and decided that he'd put £600 a month into a savings account towards the deposit on a house.

What an excellent idea Oystercatcher, I am a long way off charging DS1 or 2 any rent as they are only 6 and 4 but this is what i am going to do when the time comes, as I will hopefully have paid off the mortgage by then.

Oldernotwiser

I think it's a shame when adult children aren't allowed to contribute and know that they're paying their own way in the world. Compulsory saving isn't the same thing at all.