Dave Ramsey makes the suggestion that you tell your kids very early on that whatever they make (in money) to put toward their own car that you'll match it. That way the kids are very motivated to work, to earn and to save. A very good lesson to learn for the rest of their lives. Man I wish we had done that with our own kids. We bought them 2-4 yr. old cars (in very good condition, but still we paid for the whole car if you get my drift). I think the kids would have really appreciated the cars more and would have taken much better care of em as a general rule (although I have to say ours were appreciative and did take good care of them). Doesn't this sound like a great idea?

I like Dave Ramsey. I may run his syndicated column in the future. I was offered a good rate to offer it here, but not such a great rate that I am jumping into running it. lol

We did this with our DS. It was always understood that we would match what he had saved to purchase his first car. He's always been responsible for all gas and we'll only help with insurance if he keeps his good student rate grades. I must say - in our community and among our friends, we were the minority when it came time. Most, as soon as their kids can drive, buy them cars, pay insurance, gas etc. As much as we could have, we didn't. We stuck to our values and I think it paid off. He knows we're always there for him and always will be, but he knows it's our job to help him become a responsible adult ... which he (mostly) :toothy: is - he'll be 21 in Nov. As soon as he was able to work, he found a job locally that would work around his marching band and fencing schedules at school and stuck with that job right through HS and summers.

I think the whole experience was/is a good life lesson.

It sounds like a wonderful lesson to me Dawn. I think it would be a great motivator as well. In our community I'm soooooo shocked at how so many of the parents buy their kids NEW cars and pay for em, pay for the insurance and gas and everything. In 2 years the cars are hammered out. It's amazing to me.

Sara, I would LURVE Dave's syndicated stuff here. Maybe he'll work with you on the price.....?:toothy:

I think this is a great idea for older kids. Right now that's so far in the future for my kids that they'd think I was nuts for suggesting it :)

LOL Michelle ... I agree. :D

My son surprised & pleased me when he came up with this very thing on his own.
Just the other day we were talking about him driving soon. He told dh & I that he wanted to pay his way because he would get more out of whatever knowing he was the one who worked hard for it. :) That's my boy;)