PAY UP
I’m a single mum & I’ll charge my kids rent when they reach FIVE – they’ll do chores and pay for water & electricity too
Nikita also expects her kids to learn how to cook and make a family dinner at least once a week
A WOMAN has left people gobsmacked after she revealed she will charge her kids rent when they reach the age of five.
Nikita Shakira, 22, a single mum of two who got pregnant at the age of 17 and had to drop out of school as a result, explained that she will make her kids, who are now four, and four months old, do chores and pay for gas, electricity and water.
4
4
4
4
Posting online, the young woman, who is from the UK and admitted that she is often judged for being a young mum, shared the ‘rules’ she has for her children.
She claimed that her children will ‘have to pay rent at five’, ‘they will do chores around the house’, and ‘have to learn to cook and after the age of 12 they have to cook a family dinner at least once a week’, amongst many other conditions.
But social media users were left horrified at Nikita’s claim that she will charge her youngsters rent just after they start primary school.
One person said: “The rent at 5 is crazy. I'm 17 with a job, my mum still doesn't charge me rent or take ANY money away from me.”
Read more real life stories
Another added: “How is a 5 year old going to pay rent? Working a 9-5 in an office?”
A third commented: “These rules are ridiculous.”
Whilst someone else asked: “Rent at 5? Please tell me this is a joke?”
In response to this, the content creator uploaded a follow-up clip on her TikTok account, under the username @, and confirmed: “Okay, I'm gonna come and answer this question, so the video that it’s come from is controversial rules I have for my children.
Most read in Fabulous
“Yes, I will be charging my five year old's rent.”
But Nikita claimed that what might appear as a ‘controversial’ rule, is actually something that will teach her children financial skills.
I was a teen mum at 13 and had to take parenting lessons to learn how to do it but me and my man are determined to have four kids before our mid 20s
She added: “So pretty much what's going to happen is, they are gonna do chores throughout the week and will get a set amount of money at the end of the week.
“They'll pay a set amount for water, a set amount for electric, a set amount for gas, a set amount for rent.
Is Pocket Money a Good Idea?
Pros:
- Financial Literacy: Pocket money can teach children the basics of managing finances, saving, and budgeting from a young age.
- Responsibility: Regular allowances can instil a sense of responsibility and independence in children as they learn to make decisions about their spending.
- Incentive for Chores: Linking pocket money to household chores can motivate children to contribute to the family, teaching them the value of work.
Cons:
- Entitlement: There is a risk that children may come to expect pocket money without understanding the effort required to earn it.
- Mismanagement: Without proper guidance, children might develop poor spending habits, such as impulsive buying.
- Inequality Among Peers: Differences in pocket money amounts can lead to feelings of inadequacy or jealousy among children, especially when compared with their peers.
In conclusion, pocket money can be a valuable tool for teaching financial responsibility, but it requires careful management and guidance to ensure it serves its educational purpose.
“This is probably only gonna be like £1 each, but the rest they can keep and spend however they like.
“They can put it into savings, they can go to the shop, buy sweets, whatever.”
They'll pay a set amount for water, a set amount for electric, a set amount for gas, a set amount for rent
Nikita Shakira
Nikita stressed that she won’t actually be using the money to put towards her rent, instead, she has come up with a clever plan.
She continued: “But the money that they give to me, I will be putting into a savings account for them, for when they're older.
I get that in the teenage years but at five??
TikTok user
“I'm gonna try and teach them financial skills, but they also get the money back, if that makes sense.
“They can use this money however they like when they're older - to get a house, to get a car, whatever they like.”
BIG DIVIDE
But social media users were left divided by Nikita's plan.
One user wrote: "That's actually really smart, you'll be teaching them some very Important financial skills and the difficulties that come along with it. Well done."
Whilst someone else questioned: "I get that in the teenage years but at five??"
To this, Nikita replied and claimed: "Instead of me just saying no for toys at the shop, he'll have his own money.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"If he wants something bigger then he'll use those financial skills to save and get it. Not just get what they want."
She also confirmed: "With just the money I put aside from this, I'm hoping to have around £4-5k for them, it's a start. Then with interest on top.”
Topics