How much spending money?

JodyBPM

I would have said £150ish spending money, plus if the aunt requires it, about £15-20 per day to cover food and towards trips out etc. I think that the food/trip money, if needed, should be given to the aunt separately as one lump sum, rather than your DSD having to chip in for every meal/trip etc, as its a lot to ask for a 14 year old to be able to manage that amount of money, and budget it sensibly over a fortnight.

All in all that comes to £360-430, so closer to your estimate than your DSDs, and only £150 of that do I think she should have control of!

alwaysskint96

JodyBPM wrote: »

All in all that comes to £360-430, so closer to your estimate than your DSDs, and only £150 of that do I think she should have control of!

see that sounds an awful lot of money to cough up for a "treat" holiday.

Amanda65

Another vote here for separating spending money for DSD and food money. How awful for everyone involved if at the end of each meal the bill was divided up and DSD had to produce her contribution

I agree with Peachy as well that an offer towards her food needs to be made to the Aunt. If she says no, then that's fine, but I definitely would ask

loracan1

alwaysskint96 wrote: »

see that sounds an awful lot of money to cough up for a "treat" holiday.

Especially one she wasn't originally not going to go on as it was out of budget.

I do agree someone needs to clarify matters but if they expect a contribution of £300+ it's coming down to having someone else deciding how to spend your money (one of my bugbears)

michelle2008

Amanda65 wrote: »

Another vote here for separating spending money for DSD and food money. How awful for everyone involved if at the end of each meal the bill was divided up and DSD had to produce her contribution

I agree with Peachy as well that an offer towards her food needs to be made to the Aunt. If she says no, then that's fine, but I definitely would ask

Totally agree!! I sometimes find the splitting of a bill awkward as n adult never mind for a teenager!

I would also make sure your step daughter is aware that meals are covered before she goes. It would be dreadful if she got embarrassed every time someone suggested a restaurant for lunch!

Lunar_Eclipse

I'm another that 'assumes' meals will be paid for, but I would clarify that before deciding upon any financial contributions. If they aren't, I agree that money for this should go directly to the Aunt.

In terms of spending money, I don't think £100 is enough. It's less than £10/day. I think somewhere in the £10-£20/day bracket would be reasonable, but I also think it would be reasonable for the 14 year old to save up for this herself!

Someone needs to ask what the spending money needs to cover. It's a simple question, but will assist hugely in the decision.

bloolagoon

FatVonD wrote: »

Thanks all, DH doesn't have any contact with the extended family but it's a good point that some should be given directly to the relatives. We were planning on paying £10 per week into her account until she goes (she's very good with money) but perhaps we should save it elsewhere and give it to her mum to apportion as appropriate.

We'd settled on £300, roughly £20 per day thinking that would cover her dinner/lunch and the odd ice cream/whatever but that the family would probably provide breakfast and wouldn't be asking for the cost of her cola if they bought a round of drinks.

DSD mentioned she needs £600/700 but I think she's overheard her older cousins, who work and are old enough to go clubbing, talking about what they'll need when the reality is she'll be spending her time with a slightly younger cousin doing more 'family' stuff (we hope!)

That is unlikely to cover dinner lunch and drinks. It is expensive over there, you are looking at 10e for lunch in a "holiday block resort" less if they can make sandwiches. Evening meal is 10 - 15 e as they are too old for child menus.

Add ice cream 3e and drinks you can see why it won't cover as much as you think unless exchange rate rises dramatically before you go. I would have said £500 was reasonable if all meals are taken out.

Treevo

alwaysskint96 wrote: »

see that sounds an awful lot of money to cough up for a "treat" holiday.

But very cheap for a fortnight's babysitting.

FatVonD

Thanks all, I've asked DH to ask DSD's mum what exactly she meant by 'spending money' but he hasn't, we occasionally see her out and about so I might just ask her myself when we see her.

DH genuinely was thinking DSD's mum meant about £100 when she first asked and she may well do, it was me that said it should be about £300 after DSD said she'd need £600/700.

Obviously nobody wants DSD to be left short but on the other hand we (as a family) can't afford it and I, personally, would be gutted if the family paid for everything and she came home with a new iPod instead!

Your replies have been very helpful, especially in relation to giving the money for food separately, so thank you.