<p>My 2 are the opposite way round. The older one has big holes in his pockets. The younger has hers sewn closed.</p>
<p>When they were little if we went to a theme park or something we would give them each $20 to buy whatever they wanted (saved the gimmes all day). She would usually go home with $20. He would go home with a laser sword or something. Hasn't changed. Funny how different they can be when raised the same.</p>
<p>Beginning in January of 2007, when my dd's were in 8th and 11th grade, I worked out a yearly budget with them - including things like clothing, entertainment, gifts for friends, and excluding things like sports equipment, sheet music, direct school expenses.</p>
<p>It's a delight for me not to shop for their clothing anymore. And, even more so, I love being at events with them, and not having them put their hands out to me for drinks, tournament t-shirts, candy, etc.</p>
<p>Each month they get cash after showing showing that they have reconciled their prior month's allotment. We don't question what they do with it each month - we just make sure that they're accountable and that they know where the money went.</p>
<p>It worked very well for us in 2007 and are doing it again for 2008. When my older dd (the more frugal, organized spender) leaves for college in the fall, we're re-evaluate the needs, and will probably give her a lump sum for the first semester rather than doling it out monthly.</p>
<p>To once again address the original question, the first year, my S had the lump sum that he had saved up for his personal expenses. This didn't work well, so the next year he had me dole out his summer savings - a set amount every 2 weeks, more like a paycheck. This seems to work best for him and we have kept it up.</p>