11 year old allowance

[scootch]

We have never given our kids an allowance. A little background. Our closest mall is 45 min away, we go only about once a month, once every 6 weeks. I have always taken them to WDW without hubby since they were 2 and 5 and never spent much time in gift shops as it was just too hard by myself with both of them, so I have been blessed with 2 kids who don't really ask for much. They go to a small(very inexpensive) catholic school so wear uniforms. Where am I at today... an 11 year old going into 6th grade who is just learning to like to shop. She keeps wanting to buy this/ buy that, at walmart, dollar stores, rite aid, you name it. So it is time I give her her own money to spend so that she starts making choices with "her" money and I don't have to be the meany saying no all the time.

So, how much? She doesn't go places with friends yet(like movies, ect..). I am just not sure where to start. I would rather give her an allowance either monthly or bimonthly so that she learns to save a bit. Thankfully her 9 year old sister still hates to shop. Just wondering what has worked for others.

 

[momx2]

Until my girls reached the age that they were going to movies with friends or the mall, usually around Christmas of 6th grade, I gave them $5 per week to spend as they wanted. It allowed them to pick up candy and little things they wanted along the way that I didn't want to buy. It's amazing how those little things are as important anymore once they have to use their money to buy them!

 

[bjscheel]

We give a pretty small allowance. Right now it is $1 per year of age, each month. So my DD12 gets $12/month and DD9 gets $9/month. It's not much, but we are in the country, they are not running to the store or the movies or around with friends very often. I know some people follow that rule of thumb but make it weekly, not monthly. Between that and birthday money, they have each bought an AG doll, and DD12 managed to have enough for a refurb Ipod Touch. So they have managed to save up even at that rate.

My problem is knowing what to make them pay for and what I buy for them. DD's iTunes gift cards she buys herself, but for instance when she wanted a skein of yarn for a project, I bought it...I don't have any set guidelines in place. Plus they usually don't have their money with if we stop at a store after school and then it's "I'll pay you back..." which sometimes I allow and sometimes I say bring your money tomorrow...I don't have a perfect system yet.

 

[scootch]

Ok, well then I guess my initial thought of $20 a month wasn't too cheap. We too are so rural, there isn't alot of places to spend it but we do have a dollar store within walking distance and this is some of the stuff I would like to curtail. thanks!

 

[TheMorgans]

We have always done $1 per year per week up to the age of 13. Then once they became teens we doubled that to $2 per year per week. At that age they have more "expenses". We still provide for their basic needs, but if they wanted something special it came out of their money. For example each child is given $xxx.xx to spend on back to school shopping. If they "want" things that are outside that budget, it comes out of their money. The allowance money is also used for movies, parties, going to the mall with friends, etc...

 

[MichelleinMaine]

My kids get 50 cents per year of age, weekly. I expect it to cover any of the non-necessities. (Eg if they want a snack or water when we're out or if they see something they "have" to have.) Neither of them go out all that often either, but if they wanted to go to a movie with a friend, that would be in there too. The big thing for the summer is they want money for the trading post when they go to camp. My 10yo sat down to figure how much she would need to save each week to get an ice cream cone every day.

As said, more often than not, they are saving it because THEIR money isn't worth the trinket. Even better, then they have some saved when they want something bigger.

 

[Princesca]

I don't like the idea of an allowance. I don't think it's a good practice to give kids any kind of idea that you get money just because you exist. Don't flame me, I'm not saying anyone else is awful. I'm just saying that I wouldn't raise kids with an allowance.

On the other hand, what I would do is make a list of things I want done and assign a monetary value to each one. The child can do all, some, or none, and collect the pay when the job is done to everyone's satisfaction.

You can even put things that are good for them but that they're resistant to doing every day, like flossing, if you care about it getting done.

 

[kmccoy]

Hey Scootch,
How are you? Erin gets an allowance and has for about 5 years now. I give her $1 for each year per week ($10/week). She has to put half of it into the bank and she can spend the other half on what she wants. She is trying to save for an itouch right now with her money so it will take a bit. Hope all is well with you and the girls.
Kim

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I don't like the idea of an allowance. I don't think it's a good practice to give kids any kind of idea that you get money just because you exist. Don't flame me, I'm not saying anyone else is awful. I'm just saying that I wouldn't raise kids with an allowance.

On the other hand, what I would do is make a list of things I want done and assign a monetary value to each one. The child can do all, some, or none, and collect the pay when the job is done to everyone's satisfaction.

You can even put things that are good for them but that they're resistant to doing every day, like flossing, if you care about it getting done.

My children's allowance is tied to a set expectation of tasks to be done. (And in the past, my son's HAS included "taking a shower", lol) They are docked for not doing them and/or needing reminders for things like turning out lights when they are done in a room. (Gotten to be a huge issue with my DD.)

 

[PaulaSue]

Good question, I dont do it yet for my girls but I am thinking of starting at 13. Interesting to see what others do....

 

[amyngary]

We do a weekly allowance starting at age 5 in order to draw attention to the fact that things do cost money in life. We tell them it is "just because we love you and want you to learn how to manage money".

We also have age-appropriate chores that we expect them to do on a regular basis to contribute to the family, but allowances and chores are completely separate. That way, they can't decide not to do their chores, just like we can't suddenly decide not to do our household chores. They can sometimes earn additional money by doing some of our chores that we are willing to 'outsource'. They have tried to get us to do their chores for money, but we always say they can't afford us

Our 5 year old currently gets $0.75 a week, and our 11 year old gets $6.00 a week. They have to put 1/3 in each category of their banks: Save, Charity, and Spend. DD5 will turn 6 this month, at which time she will get $1.50/week. DD11 will get a raise on her birthday too. They use their Spend anyway they want to - for candy or soda (we won't buy them soda at restaurants), etc. The Save category they use to save up for something they want, sometimes only saving for 2 weeks, sometimes for 2 months, etc. The Charity is used for all those extra school-sponsored events like "bring a $1 on Friday and wear your PJs to support ____".

I hope this level of detail helps.

 

[Plumeria9]

I started my kids on allowance when they each began kindergarten. 25¢ a day=$1.75 a week to start. Then at the beginning of the school year I sit down w/ them individually and discuss what they might deserve as far as a raise. It is just like having a job. For now my 10DD gets $5/wk and and my 7DD gets $2/wk. I think in a few weeks when school is about to start 10DD will be getting a decent raise because she helps out a lot now that she's older.

I assigned them simple duties, chores and expectations. If there are any problems w/ them I can ask for some money back, that always teaches them to get the message quickly! What the allowance does for me is lets me say "no" a whole lot more. If my girls ask for something like a pack of gum, or a toy, I always say "no, but you can pay for it". And they quickly learn if it is worth spending their own precious money for or not. After a while if they haven't spent much, I ask what they have, and if it's a nice chunk I take it, and transfer money from my account to theirs in the online banking. If they are having trouble understanding that, I show them the transaction online, it's pretty fun.

One fun thing that happened the other day - we were at the sporting goods store and I saw a cute pair of tennies for school. We had already bought some at Nordstrom for more than I wanted to spend, but they were in the anniversary sale and pretty good quality. Anyway 10DD decided to go for the less expensive pair at the sporting goods store (1/2 the price!) so we could get to WDW faster. Now that's a smart kid! Good luck w/ your decision!

 

[4Pirates&APrincess]

We have a chore chart. It has written on it what is expected and they know what they need to do (this really only applies to my two youngest, my oldest has a "real" job now and does not get allowance). If they have to be reminded or they do not do their chores like they are suppose to they do not get paid for that chore. There isnt a choice to do them or not but this helps keep them on track. They also get deducted for bad attitudes or other behavioral problems.
For my DS5 he does have brush his teeth on his chart. He HATES to do it so this does help. Allowance is used for any thing that think they "need" beyond the basics. Or if my 14yr old wants a certain pair of shoes that are more than I would spend he can use his money to chip in.

 

[Anthony1971]

We started our son when he was a liitle over 4. We give him and still do now that he is 5 2.00 a week to spend on whatever he wants. He has Responsibilities that are seperate and are done because he is part of a family. He starts K in September and that is his job and will be rewarded depending on how well he does. I plan to continue a small allowance that will grow as he gets older but not by much as his main source will be his new job
we feel it is important to teach how to save and spend money correctly, to many college kids in debt from credit cards.

 

[aprilgail2]

We have always done $1 per year per week

Thats what I do- my daughter is 11 so she gets 11.00 a week.

 

[scootch]

Hey Scootch,
How are you? Erin gets an allowance and has for about 5 years now. I give her $1 for each year per week ($10/week). She has to put half of it into the bank and she can spend the other half on what she wants. She is trying to save for an itouch right now with her money so it will take a bit. Hope all is well with you and the girls.
Kim

hey you... where has the time gone since our cruise I can't believe summer is just flying by, the girls are back in school on the 24th of Aug, yuk! Matti is starting to cost me money, haha... I gotta stop it somehow!

Thanks everyone for all the advise. I really think if she has to spend her "own" money she will spend it more wisely. As far as chores, they are expected in our house just because you are part of the family. Our ped suggested this and we have stuck to it. I guess I could add some "extra" duties for a little cash flow. Thanks again!!

 

[figment3258]

I do .50$ per year old. I will give a 1$ per year once they turn 10

 

[2 lil'princesses]

Thanks everyone for all the advise. I really think if she has to spend her "own" money she will spend it more wisely. As far as chores, they are expected in our house just because you are part of the family. Our ped suggested this and we have stuck to it. I guess I could add some "extra" duties for a little cash flow. Thanks again!![/QUOTE]

This is exactly what we do with DD4 and DD6. They have chores they do every week because they are part of the family. Then, if they do their chores for the week, they can choose to do "extra" duties on Friday or Saturday to earn money. Right now we are trying $6 a week. $2 goes into a savings account that they can tap twice a year (set date), $1 goes to church, and $3 is theirs to save or spend. It has been very liberating to say to them, "It is your money," every time they ask for something. We live in the city so we are constantly in stores. They were really good about not asking for something until the past year so that is why we chose to implement it. Working well so far

 

[drinkme]

DD12 gets $30/month, DS10 gets $20/month. Every year on their bday, their allowance will go up $5/month. When DD12 turns 13 this year, I'm getting her one of those credit cards where the parents can add money to it online. I've looked at quite a few of them, and there's one where they don't charge fees. I would have to find the name of it (don't remember it off the top of my head).

My kids have chores they need to do. They are good kids who help me out alot. Dh & I work ALOT of hours, so the kids have to pitch in alot at home.

I have the kids spend their own money for their things, like going to movies with friends, or a video game. Once in awhile, I'll allow the kids to do something extra hard in order to earn extra money, like a big gardening job, or cleaning the garage out. Right now, my kids want the IPOD 4G, which they need to save up for 1/2 of it. DD12 almost has all of her money saved. DS10 still has some ways to go.

HTH

 

[OSUmouse]

We have tried a few of the previously mentioned. My 2 boys have been expected to always help out. When they were younger (5 and 8) i had a list of extra jobs they could do to earn $$ .. dust for $0.50 etc. Now they are older and can do things that earn them money. They both get $10 week. DS 14 mows the lawn at least once a week (more if necessary). He also emptys and loads dishwasher. DS11 does dog poop and cat poop. He also must work the entire time his brother is mowing. He vacuums or cleans windows etc.

Neither one asks for much stuff. DS14 now goes to movies and pays own way. I usually have to tell them to pick out souveniers on vacation becaause they just don't ask for junk.

Oh.. also.. they both do their own laundry!! not part of allowance, just expected!