Paying for child's fuel

paul_c123

I think the only practical way is a fuel card, linking the card to a direct debit from your account. I don't think the "business only" will be a barrier, normally they're quite happy to set up accounts. Just watch for extra charges etc. You can also download an app so you get forewarning of the Direct Debit amount, a week before its taken from your account.

She might run out of fuel but she will pretty soon learn "Rule Number 1" of filling up with fuel.

Arunmor

Grumpy_chap said:

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

That's not going to happen though when she has run out of fuel on a dark freezing night in January.

Emmia

Does your daughter have a part time job to fund her car in terms of insurance, tax, maintenance, additional fuel etc. Or is she reliant on the bank of mum and dad?

My parents were of the view that if we had cars we had to pay for them... Including fuel, insurance, tax, maintenance. I also paid for my travel to college out of my p/t wages.

Mildly_Miffed

Arunmor said:

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

I blame the parents.

Myci85

Emmia said:

Does your daughter have a part time job to fund her car in terms of insurance, tax maintenance, additional fuel etc. Or is she reliant on the bank of mum and dad?

My parents were of the view that if we had cars we had to pay for them... Including fuel, insurance, tax, maintenance. I also paid for my travel to college out of my p/t wages.

Yep, same agreement with my children. My eldest didn't have much luck with pt jobs so I agreed to loan him insurance money when needed until he received his child trust fund at 18 and repaid me. Fingers crossed my youngest has a decent pt job so I'm hopeful that he will not need the same agreement, but if he does need money, it will be on the basis it is repaid when 18.

m0bov

She's got a free car, the fuel is the least of her expenses with car ownership. She needs her independence so let her earn and pay for the running of the car.

everyk

paul_c123 said:

I think the only practical way is a fuel card, linking the card to a direct debit from your account. I don't think the "business only" will be a barrier, normally they're quite happy to set up accounts. Just watch for extra charges etc. You can also download an app so you get forewarning of the Direct Debit amount, a week before its taken from your account.

She might run out of fuel but she will pretty soon learn "Rule Number 1" of filling up with fuel.

Thank you I will explore that. I prefer having a safe option of a fuel only card, just to help her to budget it, obviously how she uses the fuel is up to her, but this is a good first step.

everyk

m0bov said:

She's got a free car, the fuel is the least of her expenses with car ownership. She needs her independence so let her earn and pay for the running of the car.

Of course, but its a helping hand, when we can do it and would like for her to have one less thing to worry about during the year while she's studying full time. 

Grey_Critic

My kids used to fill up and charge it to my account I also used to attend to service and repairs - must have been daft. Just forked out £1,000 for a 3D printer for one who moved his business up North last year and he lives with us rent free - But as my mate says you cannot take it with you and the kids are a good cause.

HHarry

Does a fuel only card - presumably without a spend limit, help with budgeting?

It stops the money being spent on other things, but if you can have as much as you want of something, then there’s no need to budget.