Waiting tables is hard work. Throw in a couple bucks!

This article about teaching teens how to tip got me thinking, especially since I know a lot of you are going to restaurants on Valentine's Day. How much should teens tip?

The answer is: the same as everybody else, or about 15% to 20% of your total bill after tax. If you don't think you can afford it, then go to a restaurant that doesn't have table service or stay home and cook. Skipping the tip is absolutely not allowed (and the karma gods will hunt you down for it).

Sometimes servers give less-than-awesome service to teens because they expect you to be bad tippers. My advice: give them a great tip anyway. They'll realize they were judging you unfairly, and they'll probably be a lot nicer to the next group of teens.

But if you can't stand to give your money to a jerk and you don't mind a confrontation, then leave a junky tip - around 10% - and explain to them exactly why you did it. That'll make them realize that they're the one with the problem, not you.

How much do you tip at restaurants? Leave a comment!

Over in the Teen Advice forum today:

I am in need of serious money. Just the usual teen thing. Clothes, shopping, phones, etc. I hate asking my parents for money. But I am only 15, so no one will hire me. I hear Kroger's will, but I don't really care for them. Should I ask my parents for an allowance?

My answer: I'm sure Kroger's isn't the only place in your town that hires teens...and you probably won't want to work at any of them. That's the sad truth about teen employment. You fill out a couple dozen applications, take what you can get and try not to complain (at least not within earshot of your boss).

If that sounds too dreadful for words, then man up and either talk to your parents or live without the extra cash. But I recommend going the part-time job route. You'll earn more than you would with an allowance, you'll meet new people and you'll be building your resumé so you might be able to land a less sucky job next time.

What do you think? Leave your answer in the forum, so everyone (especially the cash-strapped 15-year old) can read it.

Related Articles:

• The 10 Best Part-Time Jobs for Teens
• How to Apply for Your First Job
• How to Ask Your Parents for a Raise in Your Allowance

No one cares about your new Farmville cow except you and him.

My friend just sent me this cute cartoon about the most annoying things you can do with your Facebook profile.

(Okay, she only posted it in her status update and I stole it from her, but c'est la vie.)

If you're guilty of any of these - especially tagging terrible, terrible photos of your friends - knock it off. Your Facebook friends will thank you.

Related articles:

• 5 Things You Should Never Share on Facebook
• Facebook Do's and Don'ts
• Does Your Facebook Profile Reveal Too Much?

A new debate is raging in the Teen Advice forum:

How young is too young to lose your virginity?

My answer: there's no magic age when people become ready to have sex for the first time. There's a ton of factors at stake, including your relationship with your partner and your ability to deal with the consequences of sex (both physically and emotionally). Some people don't feel ready to have sex till they're in their 20's, and that's perfectly reasonable.

Music_and_Lights says that if you have to ask, you're not ready yet. I think that's pretty fair.

What do you think? Do you agree, disagree or have some of your own advice to share? Stop by the forum and spill your guts.

Related Articles:

• 10 Signs You're Ready to Have Sex
• Quiz: Are You Ready to Have Sex?
• 20 Facts About Your First Time