the Wedding Planner

UK Wedding News

05/08/2013

Average Teenager Costs Parents £6k A Year

A new survey has revealed that parents spend an average of £6,261 each year on their teenage children.

The study, which was carried out on behalf of cashback website Quidco.com, also found that almost half of that amount went on food alone.

Parents whose teenager still lives at home were found to spend more than £520 a month on their offspring – a staggering total of £44k if they don't leave home until they turn 19.

The cost of food and drink alone for a teenager was said to cost more than £3,100, with mobile phone bills, transport costs and gadgets also high on the list.

According to the findings, 60% of parents row with their children as a result of the money they have to shelve out, while only one in 10 ask their kids to contribute to costs, and less than half plan to ask the youngsters once they land a job and start earning their own money.

- - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - -
The Party Photobooth Limited

Keeping the cupboards stocked with food costs parents an average of almost £61 a week, while two thirds of mums and dads admit they struggle to keep up with the cost.

Other costs as a result of a teenager living at home include:

  • £23.45 towards the monthly utility bill


  • £19.71 a month towards the telephone bill


  • £23.07 to cover train, bus and taxi fares


  • £25.78 on fuel to drive teenagers around


  • £22.29 towards nights out.


Parents who took part in the survey were also found to spend more than £150 a year on gadgets, more than £100 on music, DVDs and games and £214.05 on clothes and shoes.

A further £211.28 is set aside towards their teenager's annual holidays.

Andy Oldham, Managing Director at Quidco.com, said: "Children are expensive whatever their age, but it seems once they hit teenage years, they end up costing even more.

"They have bigger appetites and spend much of their time eating into the electricity bill with TVs, computer games and, in many cases, leaving lights and gadgets on when they aren't using them.

"This only makes it more annoying for the poor parents who have to shell out the cash to pay for it.

"If it was just to cover food and the things they are actually using, it might not be too bad but spending extra on bills to cover lights and TVs left on, is nothing but frustrating at a time when people are tightening their belts."

(JP/IT)

Top stories


20/03/2020
LeToya Luckett-Walker Is Pregnant

Charlotte Crosby Finds New Romance

Lydia Bright Gets Candid About Giving Birth

Lana Del Ray Splits From Boyfriend

Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life

Ashley Graham's Breastfeeding Struggle

Susanna Reid's Mother's Day Plans

Lin-Manuel Miranda Homeschooling Kids

Kristen Bell Speaks Of Pride For Daughters

Prince George & Princess Charlotte Now Homeschooled
more infomore info
0.015625 3.17.74.153 Ban:1, But:1 25/04/2024

"A new survey has revealed that parents spend an average of £6,261 each year on their teenage children."