Do you let your kids buy whatever they want with their money?

I dont see any harm in what you have done. There are definitely things i wouldnt let a child buy, but if they are showing responsibility and maturity such as your son did, then i would probably let my son do it as well. if its something outrageous like 200 bucks for a piece of clothing or something, no way..but in your case your son is fixing up what he bought to make it even better, basically investing in it, he has a justifiable use for it like the steelers game, and who knows, maybe he can "flip" it and when he fixes it up he can resell it for profit and then do something even greater with the new money or put it away to save.

I dont think it is crazy because he can sell the motor home and make a profit. Wow he certainly has more money than me, im a year older. But i think that you should have him save up money and probably use it as spending money for college. But that is awesome, it feels like im wasting my life.

I think the motor home sounds like a really great way for your teenager to learn some responsibility. Is he old enough to drive? When he is, he will have something to drive, and that will be great. He will be able to do all kinds of things with it, and the fact that he is going to fix it up, is even better! Good for him. I think it's a great idea.

First--- is there enough room in there for me?? for the Steelers games? I think it's fine--- after all it is his money that he earned and saved. Why not let him spend it the way he wants! I think it's neat that was what he wanted. What a fun project for him- Fixing it up.... a nice project that dad can help with too- for some great bonding time. How are the other kids doing? Any baby news yet? Problems with that odd man? Your daughter?

For me, it's not a crazy thing when we allow our kids to buy things from their money. But we should see to it that they are guided of what they are going to buy. If it is something useful and would help him in anyway, then go ahead. it is very inspiring to parents that their kids are working hard to earn money to buy things they want than merely asking money from parents to buy something. I really admire kids who are helping their parents that way. congratulations for having a good kid who knows how to earn.

I think thats fine, I also think its a great thing he asked he first! It shows how much he respects your opinion and the fact you were open with him and didn't forbid him from doing shows him, that he can come to you and you will have an open mind! My kids get an allowance and they save it for special things. I like to now what there buying before they do. Mostly because I have a 11 year old daughter that looks 14 and I want to make sure the skirts are not to high and the shirts to low. Oh and we stay away from the makeup department. But I also inquire about how the spent it and if they use it on something stupid (video games, candy ect) I am not replacing it when they want something special. So, I think knowing what they did with it is important but giving them a control is a good way to teach them the value of money, how to budget, its a taste of them being an adult!

I am differnet because my daughter is 4 years old. So, money that we give her or that she gets from birthdays may total ($20) aside from what we put in her savings account. With that said, I personally think it is really neat what your child chose. Yes, it may seem weird to have a motor home when your son is only 14 to some, but I think people need to look past the whole not able to drive yet stage. I think it is neat he selected something that he won't like get bored with and toss the side (like a video game) in a few months. Then, the fact that he is fixing it up, it great too. In a few years, if he decides he doesn't want it anymore, he call sell it. If he is dong a lot of work to it, it sounds like he may even be able to make a profit. The greatest thing to me about your post, was how you mentioned he wants his father to drive it when they go to a football game. That alone, in my view, makes it worth all the money.

Wow that awesome. I think kids should be encouraged to do these sorts of things because it shows them what their hard earned money can do. I think this could be a great project for not only him but the whole family could have alot of fun with this. Great Job!!! My kids are not old enough to make their own money but when they do get some I usually try to convince them to save it for something big down the line.

I would agree that you leave your kids free to buy whatever they want with their money. That's the way they learn to prioritize and buy only needed things. However I am in favour that they should spend only half of what they have saved so they can deal with the rest in case of a rainy day.

Yes I think this is great... he's doing it for the family and not just himself and that is AWESOME! You must be so proud! Yes i'd let my sons buy whatever they want as long as it didn't effect their health, but they too are pretty responsible too so I don't really have to worry about them making bad decisions, they seem to always want my opinion on things too so that is good. :)

I would let my kids to buy whatever they want with thoier own money. But first thing, im going to explain to him what ideal stuff to buy and not to buy. I will educated him what is the important of money and it is not nice to waste it for no important things,but instead he can save it for future and a nice stuff or his collection.

I think you guys allowing him to buy the motor home was good deed on your behalf. Because with him buying the motor home, it is teaching him how to be responsible with his money. I would much rather have a child that wanted to buy a motor home instead of buying junk food with his money. Plus the rest of the money he earns is going to teach him independant and working skills because he is going to fix up the motor home with the extra money. In the long run when he gets done fixing it he will have something to show for. Compared to other children who I know usally blow there money on junk food or stuff that they dont take care of so what do they have to show for, nothing. So you guys made the right decision about allowing your son to spend his money the way he did.

I do let my son buy what he wants but tjen again he is only 4 and all he wants are toys and candy. He gets an allowance each week for cleaning his room. I am nt sure when he gets older and starts wanting more complicated things. I am not sure i would let him buy a motorhome at 14. But everyone is different and can do what they want with their kids.

Wow, my son is 13 and would love to buy a car..not a motorhome. Not a fancy car. As a matter of fact he would love to buy a beat up Chevy or something and fix it up. If he found one and could afford it, I would let him buy it.

I don't see anything wrong with it. It teaches them responsibility because, if they want something expensive, they have to put their money aside for it. Too many parents just simply buy their kids whatever they want and they grow up not being fiscally responsible.

I'm still technically a teenager, but my Mom's pretty much let me buy what I like with my money for most of my life. I've bought -- well in some's opinions anyways -- crazier things with my money than something as lovely as a motorhome. Largely, I think it depends on the responsibility of your kid. I've always been something of a workaholic and I've been looking after my family since I was eleven, so I think I've been responsible enough. And your kid has a real job and you and your husband talked it out, so I figure your kid is responsible enough. So no, I don't think you're crazy. =)

I think it is a good idea. My parents pretty much didn't let us spend our money it just sat in our savings accounts. so now that we are out on our own we both have impulse control problems when it comes to shopping. we both end up buying things we shouldn't. for example i bought an ipod a few months ago and right now i really could use that money for our bills. this way he will learn to be responsible with his money. and if he ends up regretting buying something he will learn to think more before he makes a major purchase.

I think that is an awesome thing. My boyfriend's nephew is about the same age and is actually on his 2nd motor home. He bought a small one and his father helped him fix it up. Then John sold it, made a $200 profit and bought something a little better. He is thinking about doing the same thing with this one as well. Hey, if he is able to save that amount of money at such a young age--more power to him. There are many adults (including myself) who has problems saving. Let him buy what he wants right now. Let him be a kid while he can.

I would advise him to save the money and tell hims that money is so much important when you trying to earn back the money again, tell him to take note of all the spending he had spend and try not to give him some pocket money during the holidays. Try let him have a taste of earning a living of his own.

No matter how sensible your child is, there's still a chance he would end up doing the wrong things with the money he has. Personally, I would never give a child too much, even as allowance. We could start by giving allowance per day, then per week, then per month. If your child failed at handling money per month, we could change it back to per week again. While it is important to let your child to learn how to handle money, its still important to keep in mind that your child is still a child. I thought I was sensible, but there was once I spent thousands over on several useless things...