Allowance

[taylordvd]

My DD is going to be starting Kindergarten in August. I have heard that that is the perfect age to start an allowance. I was wondering how much to give for an allowance? :shrug7: Do you have a base amount and then add $ with a chore list? Any and all guidance is welcomed and what you are doing and if it is working for you or not.

[cspigner28]

Ooohh, I'd like to see this one, my girls (10-13) get $5 a week, but literally do nothing So.. I have been trying to put together a chore list, and decide what to pay them for the chores. Thanks for asking this!!!

[ladywaterwind]

My DD is going to be 4 soon and we started an allowance recently of 25cents a day as long as she cleans up her toys and does the random things we may ask of her, like helping us pick up things in the living room or whatever. We went ahead and started her on an allowance this early because she's shown a good interest in money, she's super independent, and her money gets put in to her treasure box (piggy bank).

We haven't really mapped it out, but off the top of my heading it we'll probably keep her at 25c a day until after kindergarten (I don't see what she would need extra pocket money for at that grade but I do want her to have some extra for 'just in case'/rare treats) and then maybe up to $2.50 a week in 1st or 2nd, and then evaluate from there whether we're on a good track with her. And when we do up it half will be going into savings.

[ladywaterwind]

Oops, forgot to answer the second part. Yup, it's working for us. She gets excited about her 'cash dollars' (even though we're giving her coins, lol) and she does her 'chores' of cleaning up her toys without much of a problem cause she knows if she doesn't we won't give her the money (we have had the occasional occurrence of her not earning her money for the day).

[thecooperhouse]

I think they should only get an allowance if they help out (do chores, etc) (No base amount)

When I was older I got $10 or $15 a week. But when I was younger I would get .75 a day - but my dad made me a daily checklist and I had to complete every day or I didn't get paid that day.

[kschick96]

I've had a friend have success with giving $X per month. It's not tied to chores, it's just spending money. If you would like to do extra chores and earn extra money like cleaning out the garage (big chores), etc-there is a set rate per chore.

The kids everyday chores (pick up after self, keep room clean, help set table, etc) are expected because you are apart of the family and the family works together as a team.

It has helped the kids learn to budget-if they blow it all the first day-then they are done for the month unless they are willing to do the chores above and beyond their usual ones. It has taught them to save for things they want.

It seems to work well for this family-I'm not sure what we'll do once we get to that point.

[434Teresa]

I would do no more than a few dollars a week on friday your payday also.. Yes she needs to do chores to earn it, fold up her clothes, pick up toys, sweep the kicthen,those kind of things like 20 minutes worthe a day, and they need to be done as right as she can do them, not do them to be doing them type stuff...

[CW&M Mom]

Mine is 8 and we haven't done it yet. She tends to lose money we give her...so I haven't seen the point yet.

[iheartmykiddos]

I'm in the process of making up a chart just for this reason. With 7 kids 6 yo and under in my house right now....I need to do something to motivate them lol. They can destroy a room in 2.5 seconds flat. ARG!

I was thinking $5 a week for the 6yos and maybe $2 a week for the 4 yos. They have to do their chores to earn it. We'll see how it works out.

[taylordvd]

Anyone else?? I was thinking about doing a small base amount and then you can double the amount (or more) by doing a set list of chores. Does anyone do it this way?