Alhabeeb, M. J. (1996). Teenagers’ money, discretionary spending and saving. Financial Counseling and Planning, 7, 123-132.
Teenagers’ Money, Discretionary Spending And Saving
This study investigated how much money was obtained and how it was spent by teenagers. It also
examined the effects of individual and family characteristics on teens’ discretionary spending and
saving. Teens’ income and age, separately, had negative effects on food expenditures and positive
effects on both clothing and entertainment expenditures. Family income had a positive effect on teens’
clothing and entertainment expenditures. Having an allowance negatively affected teens’ food and
clothing expenditures. Compared to female teens, males saved less and spent less on clothing and
personal care items.
KEY WORDS: adolescent consumption pattern, adolescent spending, children money, teen saving, teen
spending behavior.
1. M. J. Alhabeeb, Assistant professor, Department of Consumer Studies, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003.
Phone: (413) 545-5010. E-mail: mja@constudy.umass.edu