There is no right or wrong way. Each parent needs to do what suits them and their children. My Mum never expected us to do chores when we were kids as her attitude was “your a child for such a short time and your an adult for a very long time…just be a kid” …. We all grew up to be responsible adults. I did the same with my kids. I gave them money if and when they needed something or with they were going out with friends, etc. All my kids have very neat and tidy homes and they all have good jobs. No damage done from not having set pocket money or chores.

I think it’s brilliant and a great way to learn how to budget. They don’t get taught things like budgeting at school. I used to give my boys $10 a week on paper. It was up to them to do their jobs assigned. If they didn’t they would lose $1 every day so they at least ended up with $3. They both know how to budget and, at times, they do better than me.

I have already commented, but it was quite long and really wanted to add this

My sister purchased a Kmart counting money box (it has six divided sections for coins from 5c to $2) for each of her three boys and hacked it. She removed three dividers and has repainted them. The slots are now Spend, Save & Give. Her boys are all under 9 and she doesn’t pay a lot per chore but they are definitely learning how to budget already and I LOVE the fact she has incorporated GIVE into the equation. Its something I feel we should all teach our children, and do ourselves

Doesn’t matter what you do there are always trolls!
I love the zip lock bag idea. My husband and I a few years ago had a system where the children would start off with $10 a week (on a whiteboard) and if they didn’t do as asked, or left things laying around etc they would lose money with the amount depending on the reason. It worked quite well for their age at the time. Now my older children get a monthly amount IF they do chores but if they want credit for phones or games, thats where it comes from. Having said that, they are expected to help when asked. While i encourage saving, its not enforced at this point but once they get jobs it will be.

I like the incentive, as it encourage children to learn to save for things they want. We incorporate the Barefoot Investors for Families concept, where they are learning to save, donate and spend. We have some choirs that are 50cents, $1, and $2 – it depends on the length of time and requirements involved.

I think they’ve got the right idea.

I think it teaches them to work hard for money – that’s never a bad thing! Our kids do this as well but we also expect them to do “grateful” things for free. Like, wiping down the kitchen table before dinner, helping set the table, clear up the dishes etc. That teaches gratitude and you shouldn’t have to pay someone to be grateful!!

Good on you. We did something similar and I’m so happy to share that my now 18 year old son is currently great at saving. He just purchased his first car with his own money/savings – not all from chores as he had a part-time job but nevertheless, we instilled in him the need to save money. And it all started from the little bit of money he earned each week.

I think its a brilliant idea if you can afford it. It encourages they to do chores, also shows them how to budget.

I wouldn’t mind doing something similar, though I couldn’t afford to pay as much. Any chores done would mean more time for me, and I chose to be a mother and I don’t expect help doing what I feel is my responsibility. Cleaning their own rooms and tidying up after themselves is something they need to do when old enough, but washing and sweeping or something, no. When they are older I will likely ask them to help out, if they want money for something that’s not essential like clothing or food etc.

Brilliant idea if you can afford it. Those who are against it should read Scott Pages books Barefoot Investor for families, where he says this sets them up to know how to earn money, but he also suggests three jars, one for investing, one for spending and one for giving to charity of your choice, this helps to balance things out so they do not become complacent and selfish.

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  • • deb_gs replied
    • 30 May 2019 , 5:49 am

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  Yes, this is a variation of the Scott Pape book. Worth a read as it covers not just pocket money but some good parenting ideas.

I think it is a great idea, they can see their reward. Personally I don’t give pocket money BUT I pay for their trips to the movies, lunch dates with friends, shopping trips and take them and their friends pretty much anywhere they want or need to go

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  • • musicmum replied
    • 29 May 2019 , 11:41 pm

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  Sounds like they get what they want at all times without effort, this can be a dangerous thing, read Scott Pages book Barefoot Investor for families.

I definitely think it is good to teach kids that they need to earn their money. Yes, they should do some chores for “free” but they need a good work ethic and also must learn how to manage money.

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  • • musicmum replied
    • 29 May 2019 , 11:42 pm

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  I agree some for free some get paid.

All children should be taught that money has to be earned and then they need to be taught how to spend their money wisely – how to save for something they really want, how to give to good causes so they help others and feel good themselves and if this board system set up by this mum has the desired effect, then good on her.

a bit light on the chore list for the money – but with the cost of games at least he is contributing to get the money. I don’t give pocket money but I pay for things for my kids instead as a “reward” for meeting expectations with helping around the house.

Children have to be taught that you have to pay for things including food. I remember once my nephew badly wanted a cushion we saw in a op shop. His Mum was quite sick and rushed to hospital at short notice. He was fretting and upset. Mum worked out if we gave him part of the “money to give to the shop lady” and Mum handed the lady the rest of the money. I went ahead and told the lady that we had decided to do that to teach him that things had to be paid for. Shde agreed that it was a good idea and said she wished others would do that.

I agree start them early then when they have to help more once older it’s nothing new

I think it’s important to get kids to help around the house, and I also think it’s important for them to learn the value of money and having to work hard for something you want. By teaching them young that you need to work to get things I think it instills a great work ethic and also helps them to see that money doesn’t just get handed to you

If it works for her family, why do people think they have the right to an opinion

I think this is a good idea, so many children are getting things for nothing. As long he helps with other things and does not think that he will get money for all household chores he does.