What do you do with money? Do you spend it or save it? Do you get pocket money from your parents or do you work to earn money?
Pocket money
Most teenagers in Britain receive pocket money from their parents. They might have to do chores to get their pocket money, helping at home with tasks like cleaning, cooking, washing up, taking out the rubbish and ironing.
Different families give different amounts and the average for eight-to-fifteen-year-olds in the UK is about ￡6 (53 yuan) a week. A report found that many children save at least a quarter of their weekly pocket money and that more boys than girls save their money.
Part-time work
A part-time job is an option for teenagers who don't have pocket money or who want to earn extra money. About 15 percent of teenagers have a job. Only children over 13 can work but there are some exceptions, for example, for actors. Popular part-time jobs for teens include babysitting, delivering newspapers, shop work and restaurant or café work.
There are strict government laws about children working. They can work a maximum of two hours a day on a school day but not during school hours. At weekends and during school holidays, they can work longer hours. As for wages, the national minimum wage for under-18s is around ￡4 per hour and it increases every year. Its minimum wage is higher if you are older.
Banks
In Britain, some children and teenagers have a bank account. There is no legal (法定的) age limit at which you can open a bank account, but a bank manager can decide whether to allow a child or young person to open an account. Parents can put pocket money directly into their child's bank account.
So, many teenagers are getting experience of working part-time, dealing with banks and deciding whether to save or spend their money. These are all steps towards becoming a financially independent adult and earning and looking after your own money.
