Hold your breath for the verdict is out. According to a recent survey, brand conscious urban teenagers spend an average `4,000 to `5,000 per month updating their wardrobes and other lifestyle necessities. It is surely astonishing for the older generation: they had to be satisfied with a measly `500 as pocket money.
Hannan Salem, who just passed out of St Andrews High School says, “Well, teenage consumers have now become a growing force in almost all global markets. I’m not a shopaholic and of course, mum does keep a check on my spending. But a budget of `4,000 to `5,000 is not a big deal. I mean, with birthday parties, hanging out, buying accessories and clothes… that’s how much every teen spends. I do have friends, though, who aren’t able to keep up with their expenditures and 4K to 5K just doesn’t seem to suffice. That’s the time to worry.”
With increased standards of living and with the need to put their best foot forward in college, teenagers want to look and feel good. And most of them are not bound with fixed pocket money.
Vandit Sonkhla of Amity International School says, “Sometimes, I do buy things that are quite unnecessary, like beyblades, action figures and so on. And my sister also is crazy about collecting masquerade masks. My parents do reprimand me when I cross the line, but as long as I am studying and not creating a ruckus, they don’t mind us spending so much.”
With parents not having a problem, Asfiya Khatoon from St Anns College feels that there is no need to worry and that with the evolving economy the way it is, teenagers will indulge and this will only increase.