How much do I give as a weekly allowance

The_One_Who

Fang wrote: »

As to the actual amount, it depends on what you can afford. I'd suggest a starting figure of about £200-£250 a month to cover ongoing expenses, but for the first month, I'd recommend you give a bit more (as a gift) because Freshers' is a crazy time and it's easy to spend that amount in a few days with all the clubs and societies, as well as the many nights out and adjusting to living away and budgeting for himself. And if he moves in his second year, he'll have to pay for food too so an increase would be in order.

Only one poster here as said anything even vaguely like "child-like adults". No need for hyperbole.

Considering the OP is already paying for accommodation and what that includes £250 a month seems a bit extravagant. Also, no society (at least that I know of at Glasgow) asks for money straight up to join. They all give a week or two so you know if it's right for you. Even still, for the majority the costs are minimal.

I am all for parents helping their children if they can, but there's a limit to that.

Fang_3

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

£60 per week pocket money for someone who hasn't even taken out the maintenance funding available to him? You're having a laugh!

Some parents would rather their children not get into debt when they don't need to.;)

Fang_3

The_One_Who wrote: »

Only one poster here as said anything even vaguely like "child-like adults". No need for hyperbole.

Considering the OP is already paying for accommodation and what that includes £250 a month seems a bit extravagant. Also, no society (at least that I know of at Glasgow) asks for money straight up to join. They all give a week or two so you know if it's right for you. Even still, for the majority the costs are minimal.

I am all for parents helping their children if they can, but there's a limit to that.

There is a limit. It's what that parent can afford to give and what they want to give. If you take a look around the various threads like this, you'll see a lot of posters claiming that any parent who gives a penny to their child after the age of 18, that they'll be creating a financial version of Raoul Moat, and the apocalypse will surely come.

Lokolo

Fang wrote: »

You know your son better than anyone here. There are a lot of people that think that every parent should be forcing their children to get a job and pay for everything as soon as they've left school. The fact is jobs are hard to come by, and they do interfere with studying and could affect his final degree mark. If you can afford it then you should give him an allowance. Please don't be swayed by the "YOU'LL RUIN YOUR CHILDREN IF YOU HELP THEM FINANCIALLY!!!11 THEY'LL NEVER GROW UP AND WILL DIE! DIE! DIE!!11" people because they are mental. The fact is that the majority of kids helped out by their parents don't grow up to be irresponsible and they cope just fine. By trying to say that they do become these child-like adults, they're just trying to make themselves feel better because they couldn't afford to help their children and therefore don't think anyone else should. Even worse, some of them could afford to, but don't, and then have a strained relationship with their children, though they'll deny it to the death.

As to the actual amount, it depends on what you can afford. I'd suggest a starting figure of about £200-£250 a month to cover ongoing expenses, but for the first month, I'd recommend you give a bit more (as a gift) because Freshers' is a crazy time and it's easy to spend that amount in a few days with all the clubs and societies, as well as the many nights out and adjusting to living away and budgeting for himself. And if he moves in his second year, he'll have to pay for food too so an increase would be in order.

I'm sorry, but as a student, this £200-250 is way too much. I get that much and save a lot of it.

I started off with £500 going to uni. I have accomondation paid for, and £200 a month spending money.

After 3 years (one was a paid placement). I have taken loans out for 2 years (totally just under £7k). I am now about to go into my final year and had, until I bought a shiny new car last week, £21k overall in assets.

So I can safely say the amounts you have spoken about are too much, unless the student is going to do something with it.

Absinthe_Fairy

I don't see why you shouldn't give him money if you want. FWIW it's nice to see parents who are actually happy to help their kids out - it makes a nice change from all the parents I hear about earning 50k+ and claiming they can't afford to give their kids anything.

I'm not sure about amounts, but when I was in first year I allowed myself £70 a week for everything after accommodation was paid, and that was more than enough. I second Fang's suggestion about needing more money in Freshers Week! He may or may not need to buy books - what is he studying? I studied History and I only bought two books during the entire course, as we rarely used the same books for more than one week.

I DEFINITELY recommend he gets a job though, whether he needs the money or not. Without having had a job he will be at a severe disadvantage when it comes to getting a job after he graduates.

Fang_3

Lokolo wrote: »

I'm sorry, but as a student, this £200-250 is way too much. I get that much and save a lot of it.

I started off with £500 going to uni. I have accomondation paid for, and £200 a month spending money.

After 3 years (one was a paid placement). I have taken loans out for 2 years (totally just under £7k). I am now about to go into my final year and had, until I bought a shiny new car last week, £21k overall in assets.

So I can safely say the amounts you have spoken about are too much, unless the student is going to do something with it.

You cannot safely say, at all. You can say that it's too much for you, but not for everyone else.;)

atypical

I don't see anything wrong with you helping him out if you want to. In some cultures it's a given that you will if you are able to (with the normal caveats of irresponsibleness etc.). But it shouldn't be presented as an alternative to a job - it's in his interests to get one as Absinthe Fairy said.

As for actual amounts, I would say £150-175 a month.

RHB

Fang wrote: »

As to the actual amount, it depends on what you can afford. I'd suggest a starting figure of about £200-£250 a month to cover ongoing expenses, but for the first month, I'd recommend you give a bit more (as a gift) because Freshers' is a crazy time and it's easy to spend that amount in a few days with all the clubs and societies, as well as the many nights out and adjusting to living away and budgeting for himself.

For the first week last year including a few cabs and a £40 CRB check I managed to spend pretty much £250 in the first week and a half!

thrifty_student

OP, I just graduated and in my third year spent between £50-£70 per week, which included buying food.

I spent much of my first year not making the most out of my time at university because I didn't have enough money (term time jobs weren't allowed where I studied), and after speaking to my parents and learning some lessons about budgeting, I had a much more enjoyable 2nd and 3rd year as a result. Consequently, I'd lean towards the more generous end of the scale...


What about starting out with X amount (maybe £150-£200/month), and then reviewing it after each term (whilst asking him to explain how much he's spending on what)...if he isn't spending sensibly, reduce accordingly. That way you can be sure he's learning some budgeting, and he can feel comfortable in the amount of money he has to spend.

jennifernil

I would suggest £30 per week for lunches and travel, cover any book costs as they arise, and unless he is doing a medical degree, let him try to get a job to cover socialising ,clothes etc.

If he is a good student and organises his time well, in first year he can manage at least 12-15 hours per week, which will give him £70-90.

If jobs are difficult to find then you can review the situation.

We too helped to fund our daughter through Uni by paying for accommodation and giving her a monthly allowance (£200) for food etc, so I don't see anything wrong in helping your child if you can afford to.

Just do not be TOO generous!!