I don't have teenagers yet, but I just keep thinking back to how my mom would "punish" me for not playing club soccer (I wanted to just play recreational) so I had to get a job. My younger sister played club and did as my mom wanted and played soccer in college so she didn't have to get a job. She got her first job when she was 20 I think and it was at the same place I'd worked when I was 16. She had no experience and wasn't very good with her money. I was much better with mine (not that you can tell now, but that's another story).

I do think 16 is a good time to get a job - especially if they have a car and can get to work on their own. BUT, I also think it's a good time for parents to sit down and have a money talk with their kids. Too many kids now adays go off to college and sign up for the many credit cards to get the free t-shirt or hat (yes, I did it) and have NO clue what they're REALLY getting themselves into! I think saving 50% is a good idea! Who knows what I'll require of my boys when they get to that age, but I hope I can get them financially savvy BEFORE they go off to college and run up their debt (like most college students).

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Stay at home mom to my 3 boys... ages 5, 3 & 1!

I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

I don't have teens either, but I have a different view.

My parents didn't want us to work when we were kids because they knew that we would be working the rest of our lives. They wanted us to enjoy our youth. We (my brother and I) were very active in sports, community activities, and youth clubs, so our time wasn't spent lazing in front of the tv. My parents considered our school our work. We were to focus on our studies and do the best we could at our "jobs". We earned "our keep" by doing chores at home, too. For this contribution, we were given money when needed for movies and outings with friends, clothes, and activities. Neither of us was given a car, so we didn't have to pay for insurance. We did have to account for gas we used if we borrowed the family car. My family wasn't wealthy at all....my parents lived pay to pay for the most part, but they taught us about the importance of money and using it wisely through our discussions and how they helped us figure out how we needed to alott our money for our entertainment.

I'm not sure what Matthew and I will decide for Carson, Parker, and Wyndser, but so far I think I like the way my parents taught us.

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Parker, Wyndser, and Carson....................Wyndser (in blue) with her cousin