Teens: Should I ask my parents for money?

I'm 16 years old...and currently next to broke. I can't get a job because of band (something my parents won't let me quit, no matter what). Over the summer I was able to earn money doing work for the neighbors and pet-sitting, but that's just about run out.

It's not like I'm a crazy spender. I have to pay for my own gas, and that's the biggest thing that bothers me, cause most of the time my driving isn't just hanging out with friends or doing what I want to do. Like this weekend my parents made me drive myself back and forth to a goat show instead of carpooling because they wanted to take their own car so they could leave while I had to stay. That wasted half a tank in two days. And every Sunday I have to drive myself to tutoring..which I wouldn't mind, cause it benefits me and my parents are paying for the tutor. But usually that 10 minute drive to the tutor turns in to an hour or so of running errands for my parents.

Another thing that bothers me is when they'll "pay me back". I get it, they use credit cards, I use cash. So I often have small bills, something they don't normally carry around. So whenever we do something like order a pizza or my mom needs a 5 dollar bill for something, I'm the one paying. Okay, sure. That's fine. But they NEVER pay me back. I don't like to badger them for it because they're my parents, but it's getting kind of old. I'd like to have money to do stuff. When I was younger it wasn't a big deal because I'd go shopping with my mom, or any time I wanted something my parents would buy it. But now that I'm older and I go shopping on my own more and am more responsible for the things I need, money disappears fast.

So I guess my question is, would it be out of line to ask them for money? I like to do fun things, hang out with friends, etc. Which I should pay for myself, I get. But they do owe me quite a bit from over the years, which normally I would just forget about. But I actually need the money. Would it be reasonable that for the time that I can't get a job, they me out a little?...I don't know. What would you do?

2012-09-30T19:44:48Z

I already mow our lawn and do a lot of major chores around the house...chores aren't something to be paid for in my family, so that's not really an option.

tater tot2012-09-30T20:33:18Z

Favorite Answer

I think you should ask, it's worth a shot. Just be sure you don't start a fight about them owing you money. They'll probably think you're ungrateful. Also, if you don't like that they always "borrow" your cash, you could try one of those reloadable debit cards. You put all your cash (well most of it) on the card. I only recommend this if you're organized and keep receipts though, that way you always know how much you have on the card. Anyways, I think you're justified in politely asking for money.

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?2012-10-01T02:41:28Z

Your a teenager, you need spending money. Its expected that you ask for money at that age. Offer to cut the grass, or do chores that arent your normal chores. At 16, cutting the grass got me cash. Though it was terrible, my parents own acres of land, so I would do as much as I could before the weekend to go have fun.

10

?2012-10-01T02:40:57Z

Lol, a goat show? Baaaahaha...
Anyway, I don't think so. If they borrow your money, you should be able to borrow theirs.

01

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