How much spending money?

FatVonD

MSE Please do not use this on your email etc

My DSD (14) is going on holiday with extended family. Basically the whole extended family (4 siblings plus partners and kids) go away together most years but, as her mum can't afford to take them this year, one of the aunts has paid for DSD to join them (sharing a room with a cousin) and DSD's mum has asked DH to give her spending money.

So, what is a reasonable amount for a 14-year-old holidaying with extended family? (We have an amount in mind which I'm happy to disclose further in but I'm interested in what other people think is a reasonable amount.)

They are going for 2 weeks to Spain in a self-catering apartment but tend to eat out most evenings.

cheepskate_2

Is it only "spending money" or does it also have to cover eating out.

onlyroz

Depends what she's expected to pay for. If it's just souveniers and the odd drink then I'd have thought £50-£100 would be plenty. If she's expected to pay for meals and entry fees to attractions then I'd have thought she'd need a few hundred.

FatVonD

cheepskate wrote: »

Is it only "spending money" or does it also have to cover eating out.

I don't know, I kind of left it open because I wanted to see whether people would think that it was reasonable to assume that the relatives would pay for her food.

DH initially assumed they would be and that it was literally pocket money she needed but I'm assuming she'll need to chip in to at least the eating out costs

quinechinoise

If she's going away with family, I presume she will be cared for and will not need money for food/accommodation? I doubt she'll spend more than 50 quid on souvenirs, magazines and sweets/snacks/sodas, even with 2 weeks in a foreign country.

Make sure she takes a camera and/or cell phone plus charger. A few photos, a postcard or two and a badge that says "I've visited [tacky tourist place]" is about all anyone comes back with from a vacation/holiday/visit.

podperson

I think that if the family have been nice enough to pay for her travel/accomodation then she should be at least chipping in for her food/trips out etc. so I would say at least a few hundred. I would expect her mum to put some money towards her expenses as well though.

peachyprice

IMO there are two separate issues here.

There's her pocket money for spends, which for 2 weeks in Spain for a 14yo I would sat £100 would be about right, that works out less than €10 per day for drinks, snacks, trips, souvenirs, toiletries etc.,

Then there's money for her keep, which should be separate and be offered by her parents direct to her keepers, not given to the girl. For this I would say £150 is a reasonable-ish amount, although in reality a little on the low side and would probably try to get it up to £200. They may not accept a penny, but it would be rude not to offer.

19lottie82

I'd maybe speak to the aunt and give her a pre arranged amount towards the cost of eating out and then maybe give your son £100 for ice creams, souvenirs etc

onlyroz

Well I agree with peachy, that any "keep" money should be offered to the adults in charge, and any "spending" money should be given to the girl.

balletshoes

FatVonD wrote: »

MSE Please do not use this on your email etc

My DSD (14) is going on holiday with extended family. Basically the whole extended family (4 siblings plus partners and kids) go away together most years but, as her mum can't afford to take them this year, one of the aunts has paid for DSD to join them (sharing a room with a cousin) and DSD's mum has asked DH to give her spending money.

So, what is a reasonable amount for a 14-year-old holidaying with extended family? (We have an amount in mind which I'm happy to disclose further in but I'm interested in what other people think is a reasonable amount.)

They are going for 2 weeks to Spain in a self-catering apartment but tend to eat out most evenings.

I think your DSD should be given enough to cover her food and drinks, and bit over for souvenirs/trips out. I have no idea how much that would be though, as I haven't got a clue how much food and drinks cost in resorts in Spain, and I don't know what the family has planned in the way of day trips etc.

balletshoes

FatVonD wrote: »

I don't know, I kind of left it open because I wanted to see whether people would think that it was reasonable to assume that the relatives would pay for her food.

DH initially assumed they would be and that it was literally pocket money she needed but I'm assuming she'll need to chip in to at least the eating out costs

I wouldn't assume that, but I'd be asking the aunt what she thinks is reasonable, what she thinks your DSD will be expected to contribute to etc.