Hello!

At what age should pocket money cease? And what should older kids do to earn the pocket money? My partner and my issue is that we have 2 adult kids living at home. A 20 year old daughter, doing 2 degrees and working part-time and an 18 year old son who has just finished year 12 with no plans for future study and no job. I feel that as neither pays board they should do some basic chores like feeding the pets, doing the dishes and a load of laundry every so often with no payment. We pay health insurance, all medical bills, sports fees and help out with uni books and some clothing. I cook 90% of the meals. Hubby still pays them pocket money!! What do other parents think?


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  • All 3 of my kids had to start paying for their own phones once they left high school. They also had to pay $25 per week as board which is super cheap.


  • Totally up to the parent. For me, I would make them understand that this needs to be earned and they can either do chores or jobs around the house for it, but every parent for themselves :)


  • Not at these ages. They should be working and receiving heir own money this way. If they remain at home, chores are still expected but pocket money shouldn’t be given. They are now contributing members of society.


  • I would stop at teenage stage. Partly because that phase is about learning your own identity and becoming independent. If they want money at that point, I would help them with part time work or similar, and it gives them a sense of self and independence which I think is important to learn to make their own way in this world.


  • Nope. I understand helping your daughter out with uni fees and textbooks but pocket money should stop and they should be paying you rent if they’re not studying


  • I think when they turn about 15 they should start looking for a part time job. Not only is it important for them to learn about responsibility but it also teaches them the value of money and having to work hard for it etc.


  • Personally I don’t like the idea of pocket money at all, they should do chores because they are part of the household and should contribute, if you give tu.spendong money it should be am entirely seperate thing in my opinion. That said they are adults and paying them pocket money at this age is probably just encouraging them to continue to do very little. I suggest you start treating them like adults. I am not saying you need to charge them rent or anything, but don’t clean up after them or cook for them anymore.


  • My son who is 18 and finished high school pays board. Once my kids are finished school they pay a % of their wage as board. Regardless of uni or working. Pocket money in our house finishes once they are 15 so they have to get a job and be responsible to save for a car and extra things they want.
    I obviously think 18 and 20 is too old for pocket money!


  • At that age they should get a job, pay boards and help doing chores


  • If they are not helping with housework, they should definitely be paying board, not the other way round. I feel like the payoff for doing housework would be your financial help with accommodation (ie. Free board).


  • Nope. no. ahuh. I lived at home until I was 25, but as soon as I graduated highschool, I paid board, I cooked at least 2 nights a week, and I can tell you, there was no pocket money coming my way.


  • If they still live with you they should be chip in for living expenses


  • This is such an individual dilemma. It depends on how much they earn, what they do around the house and how much they need to devote time to study. We always intended to support our children while they study – then once they hit the workforce. They can contribute financially.


  • While they are living at home they should be doing chores to help out, the son especially. Since your daughter is still studying and doing part time work, she could do the washing and cook some of the meals when not studying. Your son should be doing a lot more since he’s finished his studies and not looking for work he could mow the lawns, feed the pets and walk the dog (if you have one), mow the lawn, help with the dishes and do a load or two of washing. I don’t agree on them getting pocket money especially since everything is paid for them. If your husband is willing to give them pocket money for doing nothing he is setting them up to expect everything for nothing. Wonder if he’s going to pay their rent and buy their food if they move out?


  • No. I think they are old enough to think about family situation. You will need talk to them they are not school kids any more.


  • No no no they are both way too old for ” pocket money” .Both ought to help around the house for free food and board at their age.Get jobs!!!


  • Absolutely not! Pocket money is for when you are too young to earn your own money, and should still be regarded as something you earn by doing chores, not expect as a freebie. Once you are an adult , adios pocket money, welcome to the real world! If you are studying then fair enough, you may not be able to financially contribute or pay your way but you should def be doing chores. For the son who has finished school with no plans and no job, giving him pocket money will only prolong the procrastination. Withdraw all service and cash asap!


  • So I can confirm that until recently my hubby was still “accidentally” paying our 20 year old son his pocket money. We started it back many years ago before he started any form of part-time work and then let it continue until he took on a full-time job. However, my hubby cancelled it over the phone with the bank only for us to learn a couple of weeks ago that it had not happened online or in the correct part of the system. Our son cheekily confirmed he knew!!! And we have since cut it off.


  • I think a sit down and a big chat is in order – you and your husband need to be on the same page, and your expectations of the children need to be crystal clear. 20 is way to old – especially if they do nothing to help around the house. At that age you shouldn’t even have to ask for their help , let alone pay for it


  • Time to earn their own money, way too old for pocket money and they should be helping around the house and not for money.


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