From the very beginning, you will be spending money on your child’s hygiene. Everything from diapers and wipes to pull-ups and big kid toothpaste, tearless shampoo and bubblegum body wash to deodorant and menstrual care products are essentials.
But as your child grows and becomes a teenager, your hygiene budget may change, especially when you take into account your teen’s desires. The cologne, eyeshadow, and fancy skin care you’ve seen on TikTok. One parent on Reddit wants to know, “Does your teen have a hygiene allowance?” If so, how much?
The original poster (OP) posted on the subreddit /parenting asking fellow parents about possible hygiene budgets and allowances for their teenagers. Specifically, we’re talking about more expensive and perhaps less necessary items like fun skin care, hair accessories, and makeup.
“My teenager, like most people, is very into Sephora, makeup, hair care products, etc. I saw a TikTok video of a mom giving her child some pocket money to buy hygiene products, which made me think maybe this is something I could do as a teenager,” OP wrote. “I was thinking of spending $100 a month on hygiene products, makeup, and hair items. This includes things like deodorant, shampoo, and body wash, but it also includes makeup, hair accessories, etc.”
OP pointed out that their home “keeps basic body wash, shampoo, and conditioner in the shower,” so the child doesn’t have to go out without the essentials. But as for the “extras”, OP wondered if this would be a good way for her child to learn about budgeting, shopping sales, and planning ahead. But is $100 a month “reasonable”? OP asked.
While most commenters thought this was a good idea, the biggest issue for other parents seemed to be the amount. For example, $100 per month is method Too much money.
One commenter wrote, “TikTok videos are sponsored by companies that sell these products. Budgeting is a good idea, but $100 a month for makeup is crazy.” “Her total allowance (not just beauty) is probably $100 a month. That’s about $20 a week. I think that’s reasonable.”
Another said: “Ding ding ding! $100 a month for hygiene products is… mind-boggling”
“$100 is too expensive! $50 is reasonable and she can save up to buy something more expensive if she wants. There she can really learn about the value of money etc.,” a commenter shared.
OP responded by adding that her daughter has extremely curly hair, which requires special products, and her budget is Canadian dollars. “A stick of deodorant costs like $7-8 here!” OP wrote.
Still, other parents argued that $100 was too much, and that as long as moms kept essentials like deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, and body wash at home, any extras should come from this allowance. (Especially for teenagers who don’t have money.)
Many comments suggested that lowering the allowance would help OP’s teen learn how to budget. “Like you said, she’s not without the basics! It could be, ‘Do you want that trendy deodorant that’s going to cost you almost a fifth of your money this month? Or do you want the usual deodorant you have at home?'” one commenter wrote.
Other parents took the post as an opportunity to share their spending habits and also acknowledged that products typically last more than a month. So even though it would cost you nearly $100 to buy them all at once, it’s very unlikely that you’ll need to restock them all again within a month. Even “extra” items like makeup and skin care usually last longer.
“I also shop at Sephora and luxury products (and I have curly hair). I just checked my finance app. Our family of four spends an average of $115 a month on personal care and cosmetics for the entire family (including skin care, hair care, makeup, haircuts, etc.). I’m pretty sure a sizable portion of that goes to me. But still,” one commenter wrote.
She added that when she was a Sephora-loving teenager, she would have been happy to have $100 a month for personal hygiene and beauty, but she believes that if you let your kids spend that much, they’ll get used to it. In this way, high-end, expensive products will always be considered valuable and necessary.
Budgeting for hygiene and beauty honestly sounds great, especially if you have a teenager who is interested in it. But I agree with the Reddit community on this point. Leave the basics at home and give your child $25 to $50 each month to spend on extra things.
They’ll learn the value of thrifting and what it feels like to drop all their savings on a 4-ounce bottle of moisturizer, and they’ll have the opportunity to buy what they want with confidence without having to ask you. This seems like a great way to continue to support and be there for your teens while still making them feel like they have control over things. This is always a huge benefit.
(And maybe they can recommend the perfect lip balm for you.)
