What age to start allowance?

[ksoehrlein]

DD is 4-and-almost-a-half. When DS was born, we started a family tradition whereby all loose change she finds in the house/car/dryer/etc. goes into her piggy bank so that DS won't find it first and put it in his mouth. Then, a few days before our next trip "home" to DVC, we sort out the change at home and cash it in for Disney Dollars which we use to buy her one small souvenier item per vacation day.

Anyway, I guess this has started her being a little money-obsessed. She's starting to get the concept that grown-ups get money when they go to work, and has asked me how kids can make their own money.

I'm thinking of starting her on an allowance, but don't know if she is too young. At this point, her chores would only involve putting away her toys when she is done with them (admittedly, a new concept for our family), with more chores to be added as she gets the concept and gets older. What do you think?

What is a good dollar amount to start her off with?
I want to encourage her to save some in her WDW piggy bank, but also want her to have some disposable money when she starts begging for junk at the grocery store/mall/dollar store.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[lulugirl]

We started giving Dd an allowance when she was 4 (she just turned 5). She actually takes it quite seriously! We give her $2 a week for doing basic chores, putting her clothes in the hamper, keeping her room semi neat. It has worked out very well, she likes to save up her money, then buy something for herself (usually a Barbie or Polly Pocket). I think it gives a child a real sense of pride to purchase something w/ money they earned.

-Elisabeth

 

[beattyfamily]

We started giving my DDs allowance at age 4 and we give them the amount of their age and then we divide it in half and give them half and put half in the bank for them.

My 5 year old gets $5 and we are putting it all in the bank right now because she still has no concept of money but we're getting there.

My older DD is 8 and she gets $4 and $4 goes in the bank...she's been getting half since she was 4 years old. She understands and saves for things.

At age 5 she got got $2 and $3 in the bank, at 6 years she got $3 and the bank got $3, and at age 7 she got $4 and the bank got $3 and so on.

I read somewhere about this method; giving the amount of their age and saving half of it.

 

[frstimer128]

My DD4 does a lot to help out around the house. Aside from keeping her own things picked up she helps out by:

Setting table
raking the yard with me
watering the plants inside and out
helps sort laundry (she loves this one!)
dry dishes from dishwasher (also a favorite)
helps make the beds (suprisingly well)
although we don't do this one too often...lol....she loves to dust with the feather duster.

Because kids are still young at this age, I keep her away from using any cleaners...you never know what can happen.

Please keep in mind that she does not do ALL of these in one day...but maybe one thing a day.

4 y/o's are very capable and love to help around the house. We have a great time doing these things together and it is really teaching her great lessons. She is also really good at these tasks and is proud of what she accomplishes. Although I don't give her an allowance, I am definately not againt them for kids so young.

 

[mudnuri]

helps sort laundry (she loves this one!)

Must be a DD thing! My 2 LOVE this..

What mine do- though they dont get an allowance for it

Make bed every morning
keep room cleaned up
strip bed on Sundays
Sweep/vacuum floor
sort laundry- fold their own
put laundry away
put dishes away
feed the dog/cat/hamsters

DD8 is also capable of doing laudnry now! We have a 3 bucket system in front of the washer- lights/darks/delicates, and she can load the washer- add soap, and turn it on. Then swap it to the dryer. She LOVES doing laundry- so I encourage her to do it. Every now and then a pair of jeans ends up with the socks and tshirts- but that happens when her Father does the laundry too.

I do not believe in giving the girls an allowance for doing work around the house- however, I have been known to pay them 1 penny for each pine cone they pick up- DD7 did it one Sunday afternoon- and made 10 bucks- dd8 said "no way for a penny" untill she saw me give DD7 10 bucks LOL

Brandy