Allowance and Chores - Page 2

[ebony]

Originally Posted by Ruth S

One problem with tying money to chores is that some kids would rather not get money than do chores, especially if they can get money through other means (gifts, jobs, etc). You're still providing them with a home, meals etc, so they haven't learned that all members of a family should contribute. After all, you don't get paid for cooking, cleaning etc -- one of the running jokes of motherhood is nobody would be able to afford to pay them for all they do.

Right, but what if that's not the case? My son always wants his allowance, even though he does get money from other relatives. He NEVER wants to lose ANY money. I see the only way to tie working and getting paid is with the chores. I don't get paid to do dishes, but I get paid to work at my job. What will he get paid for, ykwim? When he offers to do other things (like rake leaves) then he gets extra pay, a tactic he uses when there's been a deduction.

[PancakeGoddess]

My kids (10 and 12) get $25/month. They can earn more by doing jobs I'd pay someone to do anyway - babysitting, certain yard work, deep cleaning or organizing jobs.

I pay for their cell phones, and don't mind, because it really benefits me a lot to be able to reach them wherever they are. They have a lot of independence because we live in a small town so they take off on bikes a lot.

The book I follow for the kids (starting at age 11ish) is called Capitate Your Kids. I think it's a great plan - not overly complicated but specific enough to (let's hope!) send kids off into the world with a lot of experience managing money. By the end of the plan, around age 18, they are getting a very large allowance, but they're also paying a share of utilities, groceries, insurance, and rent.

[UnschoolnMa]

My kids are not required to save any of their money. They can do as they see fit with it. My son is planning to save a portion of his paychecks (once he gets hired) for a car though, and they've been able to save up here and there for things they want.