Fast food and snacks eat into teenager's budgets

By REBECCA WALSH

Fast food, school lunches, chocolate bars and chips are at the top of the shopping list when teenagers spend their money.

Alcohol and cigarettes also make the top 10 but come after spending on cellphones and clothing, Otago University researchers have found.

Nearly a fifth of young people are also putting money into a savings account.

The survey of more than 3000 teenagers aged 13 to 17 showed the median amount spent by young people in the week before the survey was $35.

Nearly half those surveyed said they had spent money on fast food at outlets such as KFC or McDonald's, and almost a fifth said they had bought alcohol.

Doctorate student Helen Darling was surprised to discover the amount young people were spending - from $17 to $72. Big-ticket items included clothing and music.

"Intuitively we know the things that interest young people are the immediate things, the fast food and the cellphones. But we are concerned about the public health impact from items like fast food, cigarettes, alcohol and gambling," she said.

Teenagers the Weekend Herald spoke to spent most of their money on shopping for clothes and food. Some said they would spend less than $35; others said much more.

"I'd spend much more than $35 a week ... I think most people would," said 16-year-old Vinitha Wajdzik.

"I spend heaps of money on food, at Burger King, McDonald's and places like that."

Briar van Dort, 16, spent her pocket money on clothes and repaying her parents for a loan for her car.

"I don't get to save much. I think $35 a week is probably what most of my friends would spend, maybe a little more."

Marion Laourier, 15, spent her pocket money on shopping, going to the cinema and bus fares.

The survey, which used information from 82 schools participating in the Health Sponsorship Council's Youth Lifestyle Study, found most teenagers got their income from their parents.

Some received money from grandparents, siblings, relatives and friends.

Almost 40 per cent worked part-time. A separate survey of 530 people aged 14 to 29 by the youth marketing consultancy 18Ltd found that 42 per cent of the people surveyed aimed to save some money weekly.

Most felt comfortable with how they handled money.

If they had to get money quickly, one of the most cited options was to borrow from their parents.

Where it all goes

Top 12 items teens spend their money on, in order of popularity

1. Fast food

2. School lunches

3. Snack food (chips etc)

4. Going out

5. Transport

6. Cellphone, text messaging

7. Clothing

8. Alcohol

9. Savings

10. Cigarettes

11. Music

12. Gambling


- additional reporting MELISSA CLARKE