Allowance for 18 year old

Bruce11

Our eldest has very recently turned 18. He's in his second year of college (year 13 / equivalent of upper 6th in my day!). He volunteers weekly to help out with dog training and randomly 'earns' £10 per week (but this isn't reliable) as a thank you. He walks our dog for us probably 5 times a week but this is the only thing he routinely does to help around the house, but this is a big help. I would like him to get a part time job but he won't even look for one. As a result of this stand-off, we currently only routinely give him enough money per week for his travel and lunch for college, and we will buy him what he needs, such as essential clothing, rather than what he wants. I'd like to give him more to encourage him to be independent, with the idea that a proper 'allowance' would need to cover the cost of clothes, hair cuts, toiletries etc. However I have no idea what's reasonable. I was thinking £100 per month (giving a surplus of £20 per month after travel and lunch), but not over summer holidays, when he should be working. Is this completely stingy?!

onlyroz

Do you still receive child benefit? When I was 18 my parents gave me that, on the understanding that I had to buy all my own clothes, toiletries etc. I got extra if I did jobs round the house. At that age they should be up to doing stuff like mowing the lawn or washing the car. I personally wouldn't expect somebody still in full-time education to get a job - I'd rather they focused on their studies.

HappyMJ

As above 20 pound a week is fair.

[Deleted User]

My allowance when I was a teenager was a condition of me finding a part-time job.

How is he going to find that job in the summer without also finding one for the weekend?

pigpen

My 18 y/o got a job.. I pay her bus ticket for college.. Anything else comes out of her wages!

onlyroz

ringo_24601 wrote: »

My allowance when I was a teenager was a condition of me finding a part-time job.

How is he going to find that job in the summer without also finding one for the weekend?

If possible summer jobs should be something relevant to their future career. I also wouldn't necessarily expect it to be paid very much. I spent my summers working for the local NHS trust in the medical physics department, helping them test some of their computer models.

Jamiesmum

I wouldn't give him anything unless you receive a benefit for him. He is 18 a part time job should be what he wants. To earn money to go out with friends and to buy stuff.

My opinion would be a part time job - fair do! He can eat your food and walk the dog etc so long as he remains respectful of his parents and home.
Full time job - Potentially pay you some rent to aid his learning of life alone.
No job - Nothing at all.

Can he not walk to college? Make him a sandwich, fruit for lunch instead of giving him money for it.

Does he have no wish to learn to drive or anything? What is he doing in college?

Is he entitled to any benefits himself like jobseekers or is that not allowed because he is in college? What age is he expecting to go get a job?

The only thing I would be doing for him is feeding him and buying him an interview outfit. Unless he has a particular hard college course or other important hobbies to you there is no reason aged 18 he can't be earning. He won't know the freedom from earning money until you cut of supply and force him too. You'll be doing him a favour.

TBagpuss

When I was still at home I got an allowance which covered everything except school uniforms - I believe that this was based on child benefit.

missbiggles1

onlyroz wrote: »

If possible summer jobs should be something relevant to their future career. I also wouldn't necessarily expect it to be paid very much. I spent my summers working for the local NHS trust in the medical physics department, helping them test some of their computer models.

That's great if -
a. you know what your future career will be
b. you can find something relevant.

Like most people I knew, I worked in places like Sainsburys, Littlewoods, M&S etc for as much money as I could get.

theoretica

If you want him to do more around the house you could make his allowance dependent on doing certain tasks.

How much are you spending on his clothes etc at present?

Bruce11

many thanks for everyone's responses they reassure me I'm not being too tough on him! I like the child benefit idea - will chat with my husband about that.:)