Once your kids are earning should you charge them Housekeeping?

glossgal

Really interesting thread, can't believe what a cushy life some peeps have!

When I left uni and was taking time out 'to assess my options' (ie on the dole ) I had to give my mum £15 per week of about £35 JSA! At the time I thought she was cruel and unfair but on reflection Im glad she was 'cruel' because it's stood me in very good stead. My OH by comparison paid nothing whilst living at home and our different attitudes to finance don't always make for an easy life.

tattycath

When I first left school and was earning £22 a week |I had to take out an insurance policy-£1 and pay my mum a further £10 a week for my 'keep'. And when my wages went up so did my 'keep'. even if I went away for a week i still had to pay because my dad said 'if you had a house you would still have to pay bills and your mortgage or rent so you may as well start as you mean to go on'. He also used to say 'if you can find somewhere to live cheaper don't let me stand in your way'. So yes I think it is reasonable for working kids to make a contribution.

SmileBeHappy

You lot are mean!:eek:

tattycath

SmileBeHappy wrote: »

You lot are mean!:eek:

Maybe, but it's realistic. Kids should learn the value of money. If they are handed everything on a plate, they are going to come down with a big bump when they realise they have to stand on their own 2 feet!!!
My sister didn't make any of her kids pay for anything and now at least 3 of them are always needing 'bailing out'. The other one moved out young and stayed at his g.friends (who lived with her mum at the time) he paid rent (or board and lodging) and is well grounded and stands on his own 2 feet.

SmileBeHappy

dnt give me that

I was earning £400 a month just to spend on me at 16/17 and dint pay a penny

Yet im supporting myself (almost) through uni, with a small amount of help off rents, and obviously governement

tattycath

I knew someone, who didn't pay a penny, went to uni, went on and did his masters got a great job earning loads. Last time I saw him he said that despite all his wages £2600 a month (after tax) he could not afford to get on the property ladder. He had 2 kids he paid maintenance for. Lived on his own. Rented a tv!!! had a lease car £300 a month. House rent nearly £700 a month. and his mum and dad were sending him cheques to help him support himself!!! Maybe the cases I bring forward are just one offs and maybe we are all just really mean. But in my personal opinion,it does no harm to get working young adults to contribute.

SmileBeHappy

Well it works both ways, i paid sweet F A, and still get myself through uni, work, will be able to be back loans early, and am more sensible through not paying anything.

tattycath

RAS wrote: »

From the other side of the equation; when my housemates and I selected new people to share with, we almost always rejected the ones who had recently been living at home, because they did not have the first clue about budgetting or paying bills. Not infrequently we found that they were moving out of their first or second short term rental because of "personality clashes" that were essentially disputes over bills.

No ta.

Those who have not contributed also have problems when they get into relationships as well; still wanting to be jack the lad or miss conspicuous consumption.

Do them a favour - make them pay a realistic amount. To put it bluntly, if they have more dsiposeable income than you, there is a problem somewhere.

I totally agree. I have seen this happen, I've also seen parents endlessly bailing out their kids (the ones who have never contributed), because they haven't got a clue when it comes to budgeting etc. I know a guy (late 20s) he works when he has no money, but as soon as he has some money in his pocket, he can't go to work, he's conveniently ill. When I lived with my parents I had to go to work so I could contribute to the bills etc. (unless I really was ill). It's a real eye opener to see exactly how much of your income is actually spent on bills etc. Of course it's nice to spoil the kids but I think they should be prepared for the 'real world too'.

halia

SmileBeHappy wrote: »

You lot are mean!:eek:

why?

If you are earning more than £30 / week then why wouldn't you contribute to the household? tbh I think any adult who is prepared to live in a house and contribute nothing to the running of it is selfish!
(and I see kids over the age 16 as pretty much adults)

Maybe if your family is stinking rich they don't need the money to help out with bills, but that is unlikely on this site.

emmy05

i wouldnt ask my son for any 'keep', it wasnt the done thing for me growing up, to have to pay it to my mum either, i was just discussing this on another thread somewhere lol, in repossession repossession repossession thread i think.
id find it more helpful for him, and the other 2 but theyre quite young yet, if i set up a savings account that he didnt have access to for future use than taking it for the house.