How much should a 21 year old contribute to the household income?

rach_k

My sisters and I paid £200 each to my mum when we were living at home and studying/working part time. We were all working in normal student-type jobs on a little above minimum wage, no more than 20 hours a week. We didn't pay any household bills, just the occasional top-up shop or buying treats on the way home and our own bills like mobile phones, car insurance. We all shared equally in household chores and laundry with my mum and bought our own toiletries, clothes etc.

When I was working full time after uni, I am sure I paid more than that but I can't remember how much.

If you have more than one child, I wouldn't agree a percentage because one child may be lazy and decide to work 4 hours a week or not get a job at all but the other may work 20 hours a week. If both have the ability to work the same, both should pay the same regardless IMO.

If he isn't going to pull his weight in the house, I'd charge a lot more... in line with how much he'd pay for a cleaner, cook and dry cleaner if he moved out.

Knalchemist

I pay £250 for 'rent' and £50 contribution towards food. I only earn £770pm (thats part time job and benefits).

bouncydog1

DD is a student and when she works hols we don't charge her anything as she uses her wages to help with Uni cost not covered by her allowance. She is also saving for a house deposit. If she wasted her money we would probably charge her something and save it for her.

She helps around the house and does appreciate the financial help we give her.

Depends really on your child's attitude to money, your own financial circumstances and whether or not you want them living with you for ever!

ultimatedingbat

I used to pay £150 a month to my folks and dida bit of shopping.

DigForVictory

The 21 year old is earning, and so can afford to pull the full financial weight of being a third adult in the house. Just as he would in a shared house & likely for less than with a private landlord. No percentage issue other than 33%!

Which may shock his socks off unless presented to him calmly & rationally as a lesson in being grownup.

So get out all the bills & walk him through the maths.

Be clear that this is what it costs.
Whether you save some or any of it for a deposit for him is your business not his, & he should be thinking of saving for a deposit anyway.

theoretica

onejontwo wrote: »

I've no idea if this is in the right place but I'm after opinions about what amount roughly should a 21 year old contribute to the household income as it's their first job. There is no rent to pay and no food, heating, council tax bills etc to pay. So whatever is left after the household contribution is all theirs apart from maybe £15 travelling expenses. We were thinking of maybe 10% of their wages or is this too little or not enough? We welcome your views.

I wouldn't go for a percentage of his wages - as a minimum he should not be costing you money. What does he cost extra to the household - probably over 1/3 of the food, some heating, water, petrol, maybe more TV and broadband, maybe extra on your car insurance. I wouldn't be surprised if he ate more than £20 of food a week. A maximum would be food + market rate on renting a room which might well be £300+ a month. Probably a mid figure would be 1/3 of all bills (assuming that is how many people in the family) including council tax, insurance etc + the food he eats.

stebiz

Mine will be paying 10% into a savings account towards a house. I'm not into given them an easy ride but at the same time I'm still their parent and I've coped all these years without their cash I can cope a few more.

stebiz

bouncydog1 wrote: »

DD is a student and when she works hols we don't charge her anything as she uses her wages to help with Uni cost not covered by her allowance. She is also saving for a house deposit. If she wasted her money we would probably charge her something and save it for her.

She helps around the house and does appreciate the financial help we give her.

Depends really on your child's attitude to money, your own financial circumstances and whether or not you want them living with you for ever!

Sound like a great Mum:T

holidayhippo

I think it depends on what his plans for the immediate future are and what you plan to do with the money.

If he's planning to learn to drive, save up for a car or something thats positive I don't think you should make him pay £60-80 per week.

Also I think what your going to do with the money plays a big part in it, I don't think its very fair if you want him to contribute to so the running costs are less thus benefiting yourself.

No matter how little you charge the principle is the same, they learn that money doesn't grow on trees and to pay there way.

I paid my mum £40 per week, but had to pay for my own luxuries e.g. phone contract, sky in my room, clothes.