Allowance

[Jsme]

I would have to say each child is so different. For instances my oldest, a daughter, has always been very mature and could handle many things at a young age. While my son, 18 months younger than DD, always wanted to do everything my DD could do. Needless to say that he was steady of hand and foot. So at a young age, they started "helping" me do my chores. Of chores they wanted to help mommy.

You need to see just what your child is capable of doing by herself and what she can do to help you. With this in mind explain to her what you want her to do and help with. Do not expect it to look like you did whatever chore she will be doing or helping with. Do not go back and redo it in front of her either, for this will discredit and undermine her confidence.

My children at a young age could pick up their own toys. Help me straighten up around the house. They could carry their own clothes from my wash room to their rooms and lay it on their beds. They could help me make up the beds. They helped water plant flowers, water the plants and pull weeds. They could help clean up the garage. Most young children can pick up anything that is not dangerous and put it where it goes.
Beleive it or not just straighten up around the house is a huge help.

Also they can put out silverwear for dinner. If you ask them to put out the dishes make sure they are strong enough and make sure you have placed the stack of dishes on the table.

I taught my children how to do alot by first showing them what to do. Sometimes we tend to forget that we do this every day, and know what go put the dishes out means but the children have no clue. Showing first will help.

To sum it up, I would just work a few days with her and see exactly what she is capable of, then chose what you want her to do on her own and what she needs to help you with. Not only will you teach her about money and how to earn, you will teach her the value of her wants, you will teach her the lessons of confidence, values, morals, security and best of all you will teach her how to take care of things.

 

[Debbie]

When my kids were little-I have 5-they got 50¢ a year (couldn't afford $1 a year!). They gave 10% to charity, 20% to long term savings [school, vacations, toys that would cost a lot], 60% to short term savings [anything they wanted*] and 10% to taxes. (Fact of life: What you earn on your paycheck is NOT what you get!)

The taxes jar was a piggy bank that sang "It's a Small World" (kids loved to pay their taxes!) and, while I had control over the $, it went to:

• 
  [*]family outings like the drive in
  [*]family treats like Dairy Queen or KFC
  [*]family movies etc
  [*]savings for treats on family vacations to.....WDW

*We live in a small village with a variety store and variety store prices. To combat the high prices, I spent part of the grocery money on treats that I would not normally buy for the family but that the kids would want to buy from the variety store. Since I bought them at Costco, I'd get a good deal, and the kids would get their candy/chip fix at a cheaper price. Any monies that the kids spent went....into the taxes jar for family stuff.

Aside: I also used to pick up items on sale that I would 'sell' to the kids at a cheaper price for Christmas/birthday gifts for their siblings and Dad. That way their money went further. Oh. Right. I still have that store, and they still come to me for their gifts!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

My parents gave my brother and I every Friday the amount to what grade we were in (i.e. in 7th grade I'd get $7 per week). This stopped once we got jobs (both when we were in 11th grade). I think we got more our freshman and sophomore years in high school as we were involved in more activities and responsible for buying our own food out of the house with our "allowance", going to movies with friends, etc. Although I do remember my Mom trying to give us our whole allowance during this time once a month. That only lasted once as I got the $80 or $100 at the beginning of the month (this was for gas, food outside of the house, all activities, etc.) and it was gone the next week .

Maybe give her $3 a week until she gets in a higher grade (like 2nd or 3rd?)? I don't have any children so I don't know what little kids are out there spending there money on . I do remember when I was in 1st or 2nd grade saving up for months for a toy I really, really wanted. I'll never forget that feeling when I finally had enough saved.

 

[JamesMom]

For my six year old I devised a 'point' system this summer.

To earn a point - marked on the fridge - he has:
- finish daily reading work (2 pg worksheet & 1 reading star in HoP book)
- Clean 1 room till 'vacuum ready' ie, floor clean, toys/stuff put away in right place, trash out, etc.
This is in addition to daily chores, make bed, clothes to laundry, dishes to sink, etc.

So he can earn a total of 10 points a week. He has been averaging about 6.

These points are then converted into dollars that he can spend on whatever, mostly video games.

If he misbehaves or refuses to do any reading work that day, he loses a point. He rarely loses points anymore.

I haven't emphasized savings other than to discourage him from junk. Like instead of $1 for treats at the pool, how about saving it and we will bring snacks from home. Instead of $5 crappy toy he should save for the $15 video game he wanted at GameStop.

It's funny now since he is all about the ecomonics now asking which is a better deal A or B.
I will probably continued the point system. 1 point for good behavior at school & finishing homework with minimal fuss. Just like one would be paid for work - school is his job.

 

[kpadalik]

I didn't read all the posts, so this may have already been suggested. We have a chore chart for our DD6. It has feed the cat, put away folded clothes, help w/ dishes, set table, clean room. I made a spreadsheet for 4 weeks and post it on the fridge. I told her for every chore she does, she'll earn a quarter. We pay her on Saturday. The great thing about it is that she is able to choose what she wants to do and when she wants to do it. For instance, one week she made $2.50 and she was so excited. She was offering to help with other things as well. Then last week she only made 50 cents. She was upset, but she said "I'm going to do more this week so I can get more money." This has been the only method that has worked for us. We tried giving her a set amount of money every week and some weeks she would barely do anything, yet we would still give her the same amt. This way, she actually earns the money and has the opportunity to choose.

 

[momejay]

I have 2 (age 15) that have been doing chores & earning allowance since age 7. How they choose to spend allowance is their choice. If they pack school lunch, they don't have to spend their money on lunch. (& they will probably get healthier foods)

*They must attend church. Allowance is given on Sunday after church.
*All Chores must be done without protest! (They have a list)

Each 15 year old gets $20 a week. They pay their own way at the movies, buy own school lunch, & clothes. They each have cell phones & must pay over minute fees & texting fees.

Chores include: dishes (either odd or even days), cleaning own room, picking up around house when asked, assist in preparing dinner when asked, (chopping veggies, peeling potatoes...) dusting, emptying dishwasher, feeding & caring for animals, washing own clothes... (I am never blamed for an unwashed uniform.) If they get into trouble, they can clean the bathroom or the toy room & get back on my "good side."

I don't think age 6 is too soon to start learning about money. I would put limits on it. (You can spend half now & save other half for a specific "IWANT.")

Even my (non verbal preschool level) autistic 13 year old knows he must clean his place at the dinner table or he gets no dessert. He carries laundry up & down stairs for me & washes his own sheets. He is good at moving things from washer to dryer too.

 

[KAMKIM]

DD8 and DD4 both get an allowance $1 per year of age...so 8yr old gets $8 per week...I bought chore charts from amazon.com....one for each of them it is magnetic and they put a smiley magnet next to each chore they complete, like
setting the table
clearing the table
bringing dirty laundry to the 1st floor
helping put in the laundry soap
helping switch clothes from washer to dryer
out door chores include taking garbage to the curb with our help
raking
pulling weeds
I do not pay them to clean their room or do their homework or to behave - those are their responsibilities...not their jobs.