My son is a senior in high school and just turned 18.  He works about 15 hours a week as a dishwasher and banks about $120/wk. We provide his car, gas, insurance, cell phone, and any general expenses for him to live.  He uses his own money for eating out with friends and buying miscellaneous items, but generally saves most of his money for when he goes to college.   This past weekend he mentioned that he was going to the mall with his girlfriend (dating for over 1 year).  I warned him not to spend too much money because Christmas was coming and he was concerned about the cost for gift for his family and friends.  Later in the day I noticed a few tweets by his girlfriend – “It’s shopping spree day”, “I am so thankful to have such an amazing boy in my life”, “today was one of the best days of my life”, etc.  That led me to check out his bank account (it is still attached to my online banking because it was opened when he was a minor).   He spent $405.78 shopping (Abercrombie, Dicks, American Eagle, Nike, etc.) and another $65.95 for dinner at an expensive restaurant – Total $471.73.  I have not seen one item so I believe they were all purchases for his girlfriend.    I’m upset that he would spend a month’s salary on one day of spending for a girl that goes shopping with her mother several times a month for ‘stuff’.  So, should I say something to him? How about her parents (I know that I would not let my daughter accept gifts of this magnitude), should I tell them? Should I say little, but start requiring him to put 50% of his check into savings?  Should I start charging him for his insurance and some expenses?  Should I keep this to myself?    ... View more