Teenagers & Money Management: The Shocking Truth I learnt from My 14-Year-Old Son (And How You Can Save Your Kids from Making the Same Mistake!)

Are you blindly handing cash to your teenagers—only to discover it’s vanishing faster than ice cream on a hot day? Trust me, you are NOT alone. I’m Kevin Brittain, and as a father, entrepreneur, and relentless barefoot ultramarathon runner on a mission to raise £1 MILLION for children’s causes, I’ve witnessed first-hand how crucial money management is for our kids’ future. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on a painful truth I learnt with my own son—so you can empower your children NOT to repeat the same mistakes!

Why You’re Failing Your Teen—And Didn’t Even Realise It

Let me be brutally honest: My eldest son, Leo, is 14, and despite earning more than £300 in just a few months from his first Saturday job… he’s got literally £10 left in his account. That’s right—£290 evaporated into snacks, video game add-ons, and treats with his mates. As a parent, it stung. I thought I was being supportive with money games and books, but I soon realised I was actually making it too easy for him to overspend—missing out on the invaluable lessons managing real money brings.

The Game-Changing Realisation Every Parent Must Know

The truth is, timing and experience matter. I tried teaching Leo about finances when he was younger—reading books, educational games, you name it. But when kids aren’t actually earning and responsible for real money, those lessons go in one ear and out the other. Now, at 14, getting his own income, Leo’s finally at the perfect age to connect those habits and principles to his day-to-day life. And THAT is the best time to step in with real-world guidance.

How I’m Turning Things Around—And How You Can Too

I’ve become much stricter. No more handouts for ‘wants’—if he wants something, he saves for it. If the money’s not there, he waits. Harsh? Maybe. But essential? Absolutely! He’s not getting taxed at this age, but I’m actively teaching him about taxes, the power of saving, and making mistakes (like forgetting his PlayStation Plus bill) part of his journey.

3 Key Tips for Parents to Raise Financially-Resilient Teens:

1. Let Them Earn: Real money, real responsibility. Even just a Saturday job can be game-changing.

2. Don’t Bail Them Out: If their account hits zero, let it be a lesson. It’s better to learn now than later.

3. Teach Real-World Lessons: Saving, taxes, budgeting—make it practical, not theoretical.

Why This Matters (Far Beyond Pocket Money)

Our children’s generation faces a tougher world than we did. Their ability to manage money could be what takes them from surviving to THRIVING. Don’t wait until they’re older—help them NOW, when the stakes are low and the lessons can last a lifetime.

Join My Mission!

If you’ve found this useful, and you believe in helping children—whether it’s through financial education or supporting my quest to complete the Runpreneur Challenge (that’s running 40,075km, a lap of the world, barefoot—on consecutive days!), then please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT. Together, we can raise £1,000,000 and change more children’s futures for the better.

Stay positive, stay happy—and let’s shape tomorrow’s leaders, one step at a time!