Inflation is 7.4 percent. The prices are rising. This is a big challenge for families. In these times it is also important to teach children how to handle money at an early age. This can already start with pocket money. But how much should parents pay monthly?
The amount of pocket money always depends on the parents’ financial leeway.
According to a survey by an insurance provider, elementary school students in Germany receive an average of just under 15 euros per month. Compared to the previous year, parents have thus increased their pocket money by five percent.
The German Youth Institute provides practical guidance for parents and says how much pocket money should be for each child. The numbers are based on 2020. FOCUS Online advises: Add 50 cents a week.
If the child is between 10 and 18 years old, the pocket money should be paid out monthly. Because the numbers here are also from 2020, FOCUS Online suggests: Take these values and increase them by at least two euros per month.
From the age of 16, parents can consider paying “aid money” instead of pocket money. For 17-year-olds, the DJI suggests around 47 to 63 euros per month. Adults (from 18 years) should receive between 63 and 79 euros. Children over the age of 16 can pay for mobile phones, clothing, mopeds and travel themselves. Of course only if that is possible. Either through child benefit or through a school, part-time or mini-job.
1. Basically, parents should always talk openly with their children about the financial possibilities. It is important not to transfer possible worries and fears that one has as an adult to the children.
2. Bring in examples in a playful way, explain and also talk about the fact that you have to work hard for the money.
3. Pocket money is not a direct educational measure. So you shouldn’t reward or punish your child with it. This seems arbitrary and also sends the wrong signals. The pocket money serves in its pedagogical function that children learn how to deal with money – no more and no less.
4. Pocket money is the first regular income for children. Continuity is therefore particularly important. Always pay out the pocket money on the 3rd, 5th or 10th of the month. The child should not have to beg for it. Psychologists explain that continuity creates an important basis of trust.
5. As the DJI explains, children up to the age of 16 should be given pocket money in cash. In this way, the child also learns to use it sparingly. When you are a teenager you can transfer the pocket money or the allowance to a student bank account. Almost every bank offers savings accounts for young people, but current account offers tailored specifically for young people are rarer.
6. An important question parents ask is what the child should do with the pocket money. Grocery, school supplies, books, school trips, club or sports team memberships, and general activities that contribute to the child’s personal and social development should not be paid for with pocket money.
Exception applies to things that are not absolutely necessary. These include costs for ice cream, game consoles, sweets, comics or trading cards. “Children can basically always buy whatever they want with their pocket money,” says the Bavarian educational guide. “Children learn what is important or less important to them when it comes to dealing with pocket money. And that for some things it is worth saving your pocket money.”
7. If you notice that your child does not know how to handle the pocket money, it helps to temporarily pay out the pocket money every 14 days instead of every month. And also important:
8. An advance should always be included in the next pocket money.
Supermarket prices are skyrocketing, but we consumers also have to dig deeper into our pockets for electricity, petrol, furniture and clothing. What did you observe? What do you do to save money each month for yourself and your family? Send an e-mail to Konstantinos.mitsis@burda-forward.de with your name and telephone number
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