Amalia Putri Nastiti from SMA 8 in South Jakarta said that sometimes her monthly allowance was not enough to cover all her expenses.

She gets Rp 1 million a month, but when the weekend comes, especially Saturday night, she often asks for an extra handout from her parents.

“Maybe it’s because I sometimes go out with my clique. We hang out, eat out in Kemang or go to the movies. I also have lots of after school activities, such as dance classes,” she said.

Sound familiar? We have all experienced the hardship of running out of money as our allowance — no matter how big — never manages to pay for all our desires for cute shoes or new gadgets. 

Financial planner Ligwina Hananto said it was normal for teenagers to have lots of desires, especially because people this age still revolve around their peers.

“This is fine, as long as they know how to control it. Most people, including youth, are only told ‘Save, save, save’, and rarely get good advice on how to spend,” she told youthspeak.

Teenagers should also know how to spend their money wisely as early as possible. When they grow older, they should already know how to manage their income, she said.

“For instance, when you’re on a crossroad between going to the cinema and buying a magazine but you have no money to do both, choose one. You’ve got to learn to sacrifice something,” she said.

“The key is what you can do with the money. You have to be able to control it, otherwise it controls you,” Ligwina added.

Putri said she saved payments from dance performances to buy things her parents would probably not want to pay for such as bags, or going on holiday with her friends.

Robby Arianto of SMP Perguruan Buddhi, Tangerang, has an allowance, but he also has spending issues.

He said he spent money from his parents on snacks and his online habits at Internet cafés.

When he got bonuses from his uncles and aunts, his mother has been looking after it, since he got scolded once for spending it all instantly.

“I gave it to my mom so I can buy a new mobile phone. I need to replace the phone I lost last year,” he said.

Do you want to learn how to manage money? Check yourself against this list of tips:
 

You can make your own budget.

You can divide up your money to pay for meals, transportation and leisure activities.

You can save half of your gifts from relatives, and you can spend the other half.

You can use the “best only” system. Choose one purchase when you feel your money will not cover several desires.

You can organize a small class activity that generates money for your class’ petty cash. You can organise a small performance, set up a catering service or hold a garage sale, for example. These activities show how money works for worthy causes and will help you appreciate the money who are given.

You can follow the bill paying that your parents manage on a monthly basis.
 
Source: Ligwina Hananto

ys/Novia D. Rulistia