Paying for child's fuel

everyk

Hi,

It's my daughter's 17th birthday soon and we have bought her a car (we have been using it for a year, and will get another for ourselves once she learns to drive). We live rurally and public transport is not an option at all.

We would like to give her a year's worth of fuel money, to pay for her to get to college and a bit of social use too, but can't think of a good way of doing it. We were thinking of a full tank of fuel each month, but we want to make sure it is spent on fuel only (and she doesn't just go on a shopping spree immediately after her birthday).

Does anyone have any suggestions on prepaid cards, or accounts which would allow for this sort of thing? Or any other suggestions from other parents etc who have done similar? Bonus point for good money saving options, of course! 

Emmia

Why don't you pay her for a big fill up (receipted) once a month with a bank transfer? She provides the receipt/proof of purchase and you pay her that amount.

Alternatively you take the car to the petrol station yourself...

everyk

Emmia said:

Why don't you pay her for a big fill up (receipted) once a month with a bank transfer? She provides the receipt/proof of purchase and you pay her that amount.

Alternatively you take the car to the petrol station yourself...

Thanks, that is my fall-back position, but I would prefer to give her the freedom to a prepaid card as she sees fit - sort of incorporating some budgeting responsibility into it, so what we're thinking is approx £50 a month, which would be more than double what she'd need for college, but to make it less micromanaged, if that makes sense?

Robin9

It's time to trust your daughter - a £50 standing order to her bank account.

Emmia

everyk said:

Emmia said:

Why don't you pay her for a big fill up (receipted) once a month with a bank transfer? She provides the receipt/proof of purchase and you pay her that amount.

Alternatively you take the car to the petrol station yourself...

Thanks, that is my fall-back position, but I would prefer to give her the freedom to a prepaid card as she sees fit - sort of incorporating some budgeting responsibility into it, so what we're thinking is approx £50 a month, which would be more than double what she'd need for college, but to make it less micromanaged, if that makes sense?

I think unless you pay on receipt, you don't have the certainty that it will be spent only on fuel. Alternatively transfer her £50 a month and leave it up to her what she spends it on... Accepting she might not spend it all on fuel.

Alternatively, businesses can have fuel cards that would do what you want, but I don't think they're available to individuals.

Myci85

Even if you find a way to make sure she only uses it on fuel, you'll still need to trust that she saves enough fuel through the month for college rather than using it all up socially. I'd say that the £50 a month in her account should work, and if she gets to the end of the month and hasn't got enough left to get to college, then next month she doesn't get the additional social fuel fund.  Up to her to manage it wisely then. 

kimwp

I agree with the others- transfer a monthly amount to her and if she runs out of fuel, she needs to figure it out.

Sea_Shell

Nice of you to offer, but they're going to have to learn to "adult", and that means being responsible for their own budgeting.

What if they run out of fuel and have no money left, because they've spent it on other stuff, and come asking for more?  Are you just going to pay up?

Bank transfer on receipt, seems the only way to achieve "fuel only", after starting them off with a float, of say £50.

Will you cap it?  If they decide to do more mileage?

Grumpy_chap

Emmia said:

Alternatively, businesses can have fuel cards that would do what you want, but I don't think they're available to individuals.

I wonder if this would work?
https://www.fuelcardstore.co.uk/blog/0v5r0s94b55fmxfavfgovvrkmyk3i4

Or, give her £50 per month, tell her it is for fuel and don't bail her out if she runs out of petrol.

Mildly_Miffed

Remember that just because she's hit 17 doesn't mean she'll be able to drive herself around... She's got to pass her driving test first!

Provisional licence.
Theory test.
Only once the theory's passed can she book a date for a practical test.

Until she's passed that practical test, she can't drive anywhere UNLESS she's got a qualified instructor or an over-21 with at least 3yrs after their own test pass.

That apart, if she's mature enough to be driving and going to college, she's mature enough to understand that fuel costs money and to prioritise spending. Trust her.

Arunmor

My youngest always ends up crying to mummy when I've said no more, she's the soft touch.