How to define the amount of pocket money to give to your teenager?

Open forum

Reading time:

1 min

Back to school is a good time to talk about pocket money with a teenager. New class, new beginnings, new habits: it is important to adapt the amount to all these changes. Caroline Ménager, founder of Pixpay*, gives you 3 tips for establishing with your children the budget to allocate to them this year.

Be open to dialogue

Starting to give your child pocket money is a key step in developing their independence. For parents, it is an opportunity to start the discussion to better understand their child’s expectations and aspirations. It is therefore recommended to ask them how much they want and to justify their request. In return, parents remain open to negotiation and explain the final choice. This allows the child to get a better idea of ​​the value of money and the opportunities their budget provides.

Amount and frequency: finding the right balance

The pocket money allocated to a child should cover their few expenses and allow them to treat themselves occasionally. Its amount changes according to their age and the autonomy that this implies. On average, the French give 29 euros of pocket money per month to a teenager (10-18 years old), an amount that increases with the age of the child as shown in this graph.

Average monthly pocket money received by a teenager according to their age

© Pixpay Barometer 2024 “Teenagers and pocket money”

How often? Pocket money does not necessarily need to be supervised right away. Parents can first give it to their child occasionally and then weekly, like 11% of parents who give pocket money to their child. From the age of 14, teenagers become more independent and responsible. At that time, opting for monthly pocket money allows them to meet their new needs and teaches them to manage a budget by becoming familiar with the value of money.

Once the budget is approved, stay firm

Once the budget is set, it is strongly recommended to stick to it. It is not renegotiable and no extensions should be granted. If the teenager has mismanaged his expenses: too bad for him… He will learn and be more careful next time. Extras can be allocated as rewards for completing household chores or for obtaining good academic results and diplomas, but this must remain exceptional. Beyond the supplements allocated by parents, teenagers can top up their income by their own means: reselling their belongings online on second-hand market applications, start a first small job…

*The payment card for teenagers from 10 years old