How to Get Teenagers to Live With Less

Many teens grow up with a sense of entitlement. "Give me more and give it to me now!" might reflect the attitude you often encounter. Teaching your teens to live with less will not only help them be happier and have better balance in their lives, it will also help them get through difficult times in the future. Such lessons will prove invaluable when funds are tight or if they lose a job.

Instructions

    • 1

      Lead by example. If your teen sees you overspending and then complaining about lack of money, chances are she'll behave the same way. Make better decisions about what things are and are not necessities. Teach her how to bargain hunt for a variety of things. Show her how to shop with coupons and how to find necessary items on sale. Teach her how to do something, such as cleaning or sightseeing, with less money.

    • 2

      Discuss peer pressure and how to deal with the stress of it. For example, teens feel they have to wear certain brands or "hang out" at certain places to fit in. Teens might get bullied by others if they don't conform to such standards. You can talk to your teen about how to have fun without spending a lot of money. Help her figure out which friends are real friends and which ones are not the best company.

    • 3

      Figure out a fair allowance and stick to it. There's no set number because how much money your teen needs depends on her age and other financial considerations. Once you decide on a fair amount, make sure that's all your teen will get from you for that week. Don't cave in and give her extra if she runs out of money or an unexpected expense comes up. She needs to learn how to manage the money she gets, even if it means giving up some things or planning a budget.

    • 4

      Set a goal for your teen to save towards. Rather than buying her the phone she wants, give her part of the money on Christmas or her birthday. Then help her figure out how much of her allowance she needs to save each week to reach her goal. You can even open a savings account for her so she can learn how to manage her finances.

    • 5

      Focus on related issues. Living with less is not only about spending less, it is also about learning to live simply. The art of living simply involves having, using, and experiencing things you truly love and enjoy. It is not about massive consumption. Get into the habit of donating or selling unused items at least once every few months. Keep the closets from filling up with things that aren't needed or used. Make mental notes of the things you and your teen are removing. Were they things you bought on impulse? Were they bought when you were bored or having a bad day? Or are they things that have outlived their purpose? The answers might help you notice behaviors that prevent you and your teen from living with less.

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