Dear Cheapskate: As a teen, my daughter wanted name-brand jeans, clothing, shoes—whatever she thought all the “cool” kids had. She wouldn’t step into a thrift shop or discount store. It was a constant battle until I decided that she would have a clothing/necessity allowance.
I gave her a set amount of money each month to cover those expenses. If there was an event coming up, she would need to save ahead to pay for whatever she needed, including her prom gown and all the accessories.
