13. Reading. Teenagers and money

  

 

Sociologists have made a survey recently about how teenagers spend their money. They asked 250 teens from 14 to 18 about their daily allowance and spending habits. They found out that most of the teens get more money from their parents - about 7 pounds a week.

 

Teenagers have some pocket money, but still have their worries. Modern children tend to think more about the future and about such things as tuition money or rent when they’ll move out. So they practice saving money now, when they don’t really need it yet, and that’s wise. The survey showed that 14-year-old kids save up at least a third of their cash and don't squander it on useless things. Economic crisis taught them to be reasonable about their spending habits. And surely this means that these teenagers are mature and responsible already.

 

Children can get a bank card when they are over 14. It’s a great opportunity to learn how to deal with money, control spending and save. If the teenager has a part-time job, then he really needs his own bank account. In the UK children can’t have credit cards. Cheque book is allowed only if the person is over sixteen.

 

For teenagers the opportunity to use money as they see fit can be tempting in terms of buying strong drinks or cigarettes. So parents should still monitor how their underage son or daughter spends their cash, even if they already work, have their own bank account and relatively independent.

 

Choose true or false:

 

1. Most of the teens get more money from their parents - about 7 pounds a week.

   

• false
• true

 

2. It is possible that teens can buy strong drinks or cigarettes.

   

• false
• true

 

3. Cheque book is allowed only if the person is over eighteen.

   

• true
• false