PouchHow much allowance for a 13-year-old?
Quick answer
Under the 50 cents to $1 per year of age rule (Acorns, Wealthsimple), a 13-year-old gets $6.50 to $13.00 a week, or roughly $28.17 to $56.33 a month. Nibud's figures for this age are monthly amounts, which can cover school snacks and outings with friends.
A thirteen-year-old's month
Take a typical month at school, with its fixed days for sports, friends and events. Ask them to map out the outings they expect and what each might cost. Then agree a monthly figure together. It is a short budgeting exercise, and it works better with their input.
Thirteen-year-old amounts compared
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Weekly range (age × $0.50 to age × $1.00) | $6.50 to $13.00 |
| Monthly equivalent (weekly × 52 ÷ 12) | $28.17 to $56.33 |
| What kids in the Netherlands typically get (Nibud) | €20 to €25 a month |
In Nibud's 2025 secondary-school survey, 13-year-olds in the Netherlands typically got €20 to €25 a month, which is a report of habits and not advice.
Where it can go
- Lunch or snacks away from home
- Group trips to the movies or the mall
- Streaming or game extras they choose to buy
Monthly, same date
Choose a date that is easy to remember, such as the first of each month. Hand it over in one go, whether by cash or by bank transfer from you, and keep it on time. Late payments can teach kids that the date does not matter.
An example plan
An example only: $60 over three months, putting $20 aside each month. Pouch can hold one savings goal and a pretend balance, though some teenagers prefer to keep a note on their phone. Both are fine.
Agreeing on what is covered
A thirteen-year-old will test the edges. Is a bus fare to a friend's house theirs to pay, or yours? Write a short list of what the allowance covers and what stays with you, and stick to it. If a gray area comes up, decide it once and add it to the list. Written rules reduce arguments because both sides can point to the same page.
Do chores factor in?
Thirteen is an age when kids can handle real household jobs. Some families pay for extras only. The chores-and-allowance guide outlines three common setups. See chores for 13-year-olds for ideas, and allowance for teenagers for the bigger picture.
Other allowance guides
Worth reading alongside this page: allowance for 12-year-olds and allowance for 14-year-olds. If you would rather play with numbers, the calculator is quick.
Questions parents ask
How much allowance does a 13-year-old get a month?
That works out to $28.17 to $56.33 a month on the age rule, and Dutch 13-year-olds typically get €20 to €25 a month, says Nibud.
Should a 13-year-old pay for their own outings?
Some families agree on a set number of outings the allowance covers and handle the rest case by case.
Is weekly pay still fine at 13?
Yes, especially if monthly attempts keep running out early.
Can a 13-year-old have a bank account?
That depends on your bank and country. Check the terms with your bank, since rules vary.
Sources
- Acorns, Chores and allowance by age: how much allowance for chores: Rule of thumb of 50 cents to $1 per week for each year of age
- Wealthsimple, How much allowance by age: Rule of thumb of 50 cents to $1 per week for each year of age
- Nibud, Zakgeld: What Dutch kids typically get, and age 6 as a starting point