VINDICATOR SURVEY Most kids say they don't get allowance

Most who get an allowance pull in $5 to $10 a week.
By TRACEY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
The majority of kids who responded to a Vindicator survey say they don't get an allowance. The reasons? Most say it's because they don't do enough chores around the house or their parents can't afford it or don't believe in giving allowance.
"[My parents] say that I'm the one making the mess so I should clean up without getting an allowance for it," explained a 12-year-old from Sebring.
"I do not earn an allowance by doing work. I am a very lazy person," explained another respondent.
"My family has to pay a lot, a lot of bills before I start to get an allowance," said an 11-year-old.
"[My parents] think that I should be responsible to do things and not bribed with money," said another Sebring 12-year-old.
So where do these kids get the money they need if they don't get an allowance? They simply ask their parents for money, although some were more resourceful.
"I beg and beg and sometimes I get it," explained a 10-year-old from Alliance.
"I do extra chores or look cute," said a 14-year-old from Youngstown.
An 11-year-old from Sebring sells his lunch when he doesn't like it, and a 14-year-old from Southington "plays a certain card game" to earn money.
How much?
The majority of respondents who get allowance said they get between $5 and $10 a week, and about half of the respondents felt their allowance was fair.
Matt Smith, 13, of Austintown, gets between $10 and $20 a week for allowance, which he's banking for a new dirt bike.
"Anything you get is fair," he said "It's a privilege to get an allowance."
Should kids get a higher allowance as they get older?
"No, because I know I will get lazier as I get older," said one 17-year-old, but the vast majority of respondents thought allowance should go up with age.
"It should because the older you get the more things you have to spend it on," said a 13-year-old from Austintown.
A 14-year-old from Worthington said it depends on inflation and another said it depends on what you do around the house: "If it's more stuff that's harder, then yes."
Dan Kremin, 14, of Struthers, gets $6 a week, as does his 10-year-old sister.
"I think your allowance should go up as you get older. You start wanting more expensive stuff and you can do more, do bigger chores," he said.
Earning their own cash
A 19-year-old college freshman said it depends. "Yes, but only if the child can show responsibility. If not, it shouldn't go up."
A 12-year-old from West Middlesex said a raise in allowance would be nice, but older teens should get a job instead of expecting more money from their parents.
Carla Stone, 17, did chores around the house to earn her allowance when she was younger. Stone, a junior at Fitch High School, now tries to cover all her expenses with the money she makes waitressing.
"I don't think you should get a regular allowance after you get a job," she said. "I try to pay for everything I can with my own money."
Adrianne Farris, 17, used to get $5 a week but now makes her own money working 14 hours a week.
"I think at my age, kids are more responsible. I don't think my parents should pay for what I want to do," said Farris, of Struthers.
And what do kids want to do with their money? A 14-year-old respondent from Youngstown summed it up well: "Buy stuff, stuff and more stuff."
According to the survey, the majority of kids spend their money on makeup, gum, CDs, computer games, hair accessories, candy, clothes, magazines, jewelry, video games, trading cards and toys. Leisure activities such as bowling, fishing, sporting events, skateboard parks and school dances also made the list.