How much board should a teenager starting full-time work pay?

**Howie** · 31st July 2009, 23:01

Ok so one of my teens is now working full time, I am after some Opinions On how much Board a teenager starting an entry level Job should be expected to pay. I have an amount in mind, but am interested in others views. For the purpose of the attached Poll all amounts would be weekly.

**Big Dan** · 31st July 2009, 23:05

Originally Posted by Howie

Ok so one of my teens is now working full time, I am after some Opinions On how much Board a teenager starting an entry level Job should be expected to pay. I have an amount in mind, but am interested in others views. For the purpose of the attached Poll all amounta would be weekly.

i'd say between 100-130

**Highlander** · 31st July 2009, 23:10

Tough one to answer isn't it.
You want to charge them enough so they know they are paying (and don't stay for ever) but not so much they can't save as well.

We have ours paying $80 / week - token gesture really, I'm sure he eats at least that.
He has been told that goes up $10 every birthday untill he finishes his apprenticeship. Then it doubles every birthday (we do want him to leave home eventually).

Years ago when my wife started working, her folks didn't charge her board, but she had to save $100 / week, if she didn't save it she'd start paying board. When we got married her savings was the only money we had.

**Big Dan** · 31st July 2009, 23:10

think of it this way how much would you charge a boarder for rent and maybe take $20=30 off that being family and also does the total include power and food and all expenses and meals cooked for them lots of things to think of

when i was living with my mum in stokes valley i was paying 100 and that covered everything and meals cooked

**McDuck** · 31st July 2009, 23:13

If it is full tiime (on minimum wage) he should be getting at least 300-400pw. I would charge 15 Pw, invest it on his behalf and give it to him when i gos to buy a house. FYI he will not be paying less than 150 in th real world and you are there to prep him for that.

(above is calculated on adult minimum wage...)

**LBD** · 31st July 2009, 23:15

30% of net income

he's a Brain surgeon right?

**peasea** · 31st July 2009, 23:16

Originally Posted by Howie

Ok so one of my teens is now working full time, I am after some Opinions On how much Board a teenager starting an entry level Job should be expected to pay. I have an amount in mind, but am interested in others views. For the purpose of the attached Poll all amounts would be weekly.

When I started work my olds went on a percentage of wage, that being 20%.

I earned $25 a week back then (gas was 47c a gallon, or 4.5l) so I paid $5 a week board. I could do a shitload on the twenty bucks I had left and had a V8 after just 3 months of working.

Been broke ever since.

**peasea** · 31st July 2009, 23:18

Originally Posted by LBD

30% of net income

he's a Brain surgeon right?

Well, if he is I'd rather have a free bottle in front of me than a pre-frontal lobotomy.

**Big Dan** · 31st July 2009, 23:19

ok i would like to know who voted "none" on the poll and tell me why

could this be your son?

**Highlander** · 31st July 2009, 23:19

Originally Posted by McDuck

(above is calculated on adult minimum wage...)

Teen ager is likely to be on youth rate and if they are being trained they don't even have to be paid that.

Edit: From the Department of Labour website (http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/pay/minimum.html)

There are three minimum wage rates:

the adult minimum wage applies to all employees aged 16 and over who are not new entrants or trainees

the new entrants minimum wage applies to employees aged 16 and 17 except for those who have completed 200 hours or three months of employment, whichever is shorter; or who are supervising or training other workers; or who are trainees

the training minimum wage applies to employees aged 16 and over who are doing recognised industry training involving at least 60 credits a year.
There is no statutory minimum wage for employees who are under 16 years old.

Minimum wage rates from 1 April 2009
The adult minimum wage is $12.50 an hour. That’s $100 for an eight hour day, and $500 for a 40 hour week.

The new entrants minimum wage and the training minimum wage are $10.00 an hour. That’s $80 for an eight hour day, and $400 for a 40 hour week.

By law, employers must pay at least the minimum wage - even if an employee is paid by commission or by piece rate. The minimum wage applies to all workers aged 16 years or older, including home workers, casuals, temporary and part-time workers.

The only exception is when an employee holds an exemption permit.

Holiday pay must be paid in addition to the minimum wage. If an employee receives “pay-as-you-go” holiday pay, this payment must be a separate and identifiable part of their pay.

An increase in the minimum wage will not affect an employee’s other conditions of employment, unless they agree to the changes.

An employee being paid less than the minimum wage can complain to a Labour Inspector, who may investigate and act to recover any money owed. Employees can also get help from our mediators.

**McDuck** · 31st July 2009, 23:21

Originally Posted by Highlander

Teen ager is likely to be on youth rate and if they are being trained they don't even have to be paid that.

If this is the case i would go with 1/3 income...

**Jantar** · 31st July 2009, 23:21

20% of gross or 33% of nett income. That means that they are making a worthwhile contribution, but not paying so much as feel that they are working for nothing. It is also close to what is acceptable as a percentage of income that banks are likely to work on when determing a mortgage repayment later in life.

**Jonno.** · 31st July 2009, 23:26

Give em a bit of lee way it's their first full time job. it depends on their income. you could always charge a bit more and save some money for em for when they move out.

**Howie** · 31st July 2009, 23:28

Thanks for all the replys so far, I haven't put my vote up yet, but is interesting to see a bit of variation in the amounts, the job is full time at not that much over mimimun wage, and the none vote wasn't from my teenager. The percentage figure actually seems like a good idea to me.