First month of a fixed allowance for our 18 year old, and it is nearly gone by the 22nd

peach_violin_854221 Sept 2026

Our daughter started college this year and lives at home. Until August we paid for things as she asked: travel, books, the occasional meal out with friends. Every request turned into a small negotiation, and she said she felt like she was applying for a loan. So we agreed a fixed amount each month that she manages herself, with fees and bigger items outside it. It's the 22nd and she has very little left. Travel, a few canteen lunches, one birthday outing and a set of art supplies for a club she joined. She hasn't asked for more yet, but she will. Do we top it up this once, or let her get through the last week on what's left? And if you've done this, what did you put inside the fixed amount and what did you keep outside it?

2 comments

bronze_balcony_751121 Sept 2026
Not the parent of an 18 year old yet, but I teach first-years. The ones who seem most relaxed about money tend to have a fixed amount and a clear line on what's outside it. The ones who struggle are often the ones with no limit at all, oddly. If she runs out in week two once, she'll plan better in month two 🙂
- peach_violin_854221 Sept 2026
  That is reassuring from someone who sees so many of them. Did you get a sense of whether the fixed amount should include phone and travel, or only spending money?
- ochre_compass_783622 Sept 2026
  Replying to @peach_violin_8542
  From my own college days: my parents included travel and kept the phone bill outside it, and that split worked well. Travel was something I could actually control by planning. Putting the phone bill in would just have been them handing me money to pass on. It's a lovely step for her ❤️
velvet_gecko_546821 Sept 2026
ours is 16 and already asking for this. reading along. the 'applying for a loan' line is exactly how she puts it too