Pocket money for teenagers: a parent’s experience
5 min
On average, a teenager receives between €15 and €50 a month, depending on their age and needs. Pocket money is above all a way to learn how to manage a budget, make choices and develop a first sense of financial independence.
Key points
- Most parents start giving their children pocket money when they start secondary school.
- By giving pocket money, you can teach teenagers about the value of money.
- Avoid setting too many strict rules and let your teenagers learn from their mistakes.
- Financial education also involves involving your teenager in certain family financial decisions.
Pocket money survey
Our large pocket money survey shows that many parents start thinking about financial education from puberty onwards, to help teenagers develop a healthy relationship with money.
Key findings from our survey
- 34.7% start giving pocket money from the age of 12
- 27.2% already begin between the ages of 6 and 9
- 66.6% give pocket money digitally (via an account/app)
- 50.4% give a monthly amount
- 37.4% prefer a weekly rhythm
In collaboration with Maison Slash, we met Christian, the father of two boys aged 13 and 10, to understand how he manages his sons’ pocket money and savings.
How can you teach your teenager to manage money?
To help your teenager learn how to manage pocket money, you can involve them in everyday family spending from an early age.
Christian explains that his eldest son started receiving pocket money when he began secondary school, which his parents saw as the ideal time to learn how to manage a budget. His younger son, meanwhile, does not yet receive pocket money because he does not yet have any real spending needs.
“From a very young age, I tried to teach them the value of money through games linked to small family expenses. For example, I ask them to guess the price of supermarket products. Then I show them the receipt and let them calculate the cost of a litre of milk or a pack of butter. It’s fun: everyone takes turns guessing and, over time, they become very good at it.”
Why give your teenager pocket money?
Giving a teenager pocket money is a first lesson in financial management. They learn how to prioritise spending, understand the value of money and take responsibility for their choices. This independence helps prepare them to manage a budget later in life, while also encouraging constructive conversations about money and everyday spending, Christian explains.
“When a teenager has to decide how to spend their own pocket money, they quickly compare the price of a soft drink with the price of a glass of water. It helps them make informed choices.”
But for Christian and his wife, pocket money goes even further. It is not only about spending, but also about learning to plan ahead.
Savings then become a genuine educational tool: they allow teenagers to set goals, be patient and build something over time.
“It is essential that they learn how to set a goal and develop a financial plan to achieve it.”
This completely changes the way money is perceived: it is no longer just used to satisfy immediate wants, but becomes a way to achieve a personal project.
“For example, T. saved for several months to buy himself a gaming computer. He went to a shop to ask for a quote for all the components he wanted, then set aside his pocket money along with the small amounts he received for birthdays and other occasions. Thanks to this method, he quickly managed to save the amount he needed.”
Experiences like this make learning tangible. Teenagers do not just understand money in theory: they experience it directly and, above all, see the concrete results.
| Age | Average monthly amount | Typical expenses | Educational goal |
| 12-14 years | €15-25 | Snacks, mobile games, outings | Learning to prioritise |
| 15-17 years | €30-50 | Clothes, transport, leisure activities | Managing a larger budget |
What are the limits?
There are no strict rules: teenagers need to learn from their mistakes.
Christian transfers €20 a month into his 13-year-old son’s bank account. Thanks to the banking app installed on their phones, they can both track his budget on a daily basis.
It is a way of keeping an eye on his child’s spending while still giving him the freedom to make his own choices. Whether it is snacks, outings with friends or a small treat, Christian believes it is important to let teenagers decide how they use their pocket money.
“We do not really impose strict rules about what is or is not allowed. I think he needs to learn for himself that money does not grow on trees. Teenagers need to learn from their mistakes. If, as a parent, you impose too many rules from the start, they risk learning nothing.”
How can teenagers earn extra money?
Teenagers can earn some extra pocket money by looking for a job suited to their age, or by offering to help with occasional tasks such as babysitting, gardening or pet sitting. As well as earning money, these activities help teenagers to develop a sense of responsibility and financial independence.
Like many parents, Christian plans to increase his children's pocket money as they grow older.
One good way for teenagers to earn extra money is to find a part-time job, such as delivering parcels or working in a restaurant. Until his son reaches the legal age, Christian gives him the opportunity to earn extra money by helping out in the garden or selling old toys second-hand.
This money is reserved for personal treats and leisure spending. Christian believes that, while his children live at home, expenses such as clothes and meals should be covered by the parents.
| Age | Type of work | Examples | Typical income |
| 14-15 years | Occasional jobs | Mowing the lawn, pet sitting | €5–10/hour |
| 16 years + | Official student jobs | Babysitting, bicycle courier, waiter/waitress, administrative student work | €10–15/hour |
How can you introduce your teenager to financial education?
One way is to encourage their curiosity about economics and money management from an early age. This could involve having simple discussions about the family budget, the value of money in everyday life, and the importance of saving for future projects.
For Christian, financial education is about more than just giving pocket money. Teenagers can develop an interest in economics and financial markets from a young age.
“Recently, I took my eldest son to Finance Avenue, a trade fair for savers and investors in Brussels, which he found very enriching. We also participate together in a stock market challenge, in which participants invest a fictional sum in shares over a three-month period. I hope this will teach them how to generate wealth through saving and investing.”
How does BNP Paribas Fortis help teenagers to become financially independent?
BNP Paribas Fortis supports young people on their journey towards financial independence with the Welcome Pack, a free payment account up to the age of 18.
The account includes a secure debit card and access to Easy Banking App from the age of 12, while parents benefit from monitoring tools such as spending limits and real-time alerts. It is a free, secure solution designed to help teenagers learn how to manage money with confidence.