Once your kids are earning should you charge them Housekeeping?

Mojisola

supermum370 wrote: »

My 18 year old son is working, he's saving up to go to university - should we be asking him for housekeeping or would this be mean. He hasn't even offered and we don't know how to approach him, would appreciate any views on this. How much should we expect.

It depends on what you want to do and whether you need the money.

If he's saving as much as he can, you could carry on as you are.

goodgirl80

kick em out

jacko91

I'm at uni atm, and living at home, I don't pay my parents a fixed amount but I buy my own food and if mum needs money for bills I pay it, if I could afford to give her a certain amount a month I would. Been looking for a job for two years now... no luck

leandygandy

When I was in sixth form and had a part time job my mum let me keep my wages but I chose to give her £50 a month.

Once I was earning full time she sat me down and we had a discussion about bills. It was agreed that I would pay a third (there being me, mum and my brother living at home) of the utilities, rent and council tax. All other bills (food, tv licence etc.) were covered by her. It meant that I was able to contribute to the household, it gave my mum a break financially as I know she struggled as we were growing up), and most importantly it gave me an idea of how much things cost so when I got my own place there were no nasty shocks!

scooby088

When i left school i was earning £80 per week and i gave my mom £25 per week board money, as i saw it i had lived off my parents for 16 years and was about time i contributed to the household. For me i think when the child has reached 16 and got a job or even college they need to realise that there is a time you need to learn responsibility and there is a time you need to help out.

LittleMissMPB

I got my first job at 16yrs old, working 16hours a week around school hours while doing a-levels- I was earning about £320 a month, or just over. I was expected to pay £100 a month towards food, bills and petrol as my mum usually picked me up from school 4 days a week.

When I finished my A levels I got more hours at work, 30 a week, and my average pay was about £650 a month. I then had to pay £200 a month housekeeping, leaving me with £450, which really wasn't bad considering the only outgoings I really had was £95 a month car insurance (+tax/petrol etc) and a £20/m phone bill. I did feel guilty however if I didn't give a little extra towards shopping etc - not as in giving cash when mum went shopping - but going out and buying food, especially buying my own little 'extras' (but then if it was something like biscuits or fizzy pop I would always buy enough for everyone to have some lol) This was 5/6years ago, so I think the £200 a month is perfectly reasonable especially if he has agreed to save £500 a month.

Spirit_2

We have got to this point recently. Our daughter graduated last year, has worked and saved up to enable her to travel and has returned home to start a masters in October. She is working at present almost full time and we have asked her to contribute £200 per month from now on.

When she is back at Uni we will review this. We are OK financially and she has had full financial support from us up to now.

Our decision was based on her being an adult and having the dignity of being independent rather than infantilized by us treating her as if living is for free. She was initially surprised, but knows it is the right thing to do and is happy with it.

dandy-candy

I was never asked to pay anything to my parents and I have never asked my eldest for any money either. Atm it's not a problem because we can manage all the bills, but if things were tight then I guess I would ask for a contribution. How much i would ask for would depend on how tight things were!

KiKi

supermum370 wrote: »

My 18 year old son is working, he's saving up to go to university - should we be asking him for housekeeping or would this be mean. He hasn't even offered and we don't know how to approach him, would appreciate any views on this. How much should we expect.

If he's 18 and taking a year out to work full time and save for uni...I'd probably say no, simply because he'll have to save so much to spend at uni where he'll undoubtedly have to take on some debt anyway. But this is on the understanding that it's only whilst he saves up and goes to uni next year. Or, just ask for a nominal contribution.

However, if he's working full time, but hasn't got a place at uni, yet (ie, saving for uni, but no firm plans as to when he's going), then yes, I'd be asking for anything between 1/4 and 1/3 of his wage.

I'm not advocating adults not paying their way, or not learning the true cost of living, but university is so expensive, the fees are going to be extortionate, and all saving really does help. Especially if he's chosen to take a year off in order to purely save. But you have to go with what works for you, and considering your own finances, too.

JMO
KiKi

electricmuffin

Unless you need the money then I think it is wrong to charge your kids. It's not a business, it's a home. Budgeting isn't so difficult that you need years of practice!