Comments on: How to Give Your Child an Allowance

on 8/18/2008 hoe able!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

on 8/8/2006 As I kid, I didn't get an allowance for doing set chores. I learned that jobs just don't get thrown at you, and that you actually have to work to find one. When I was younger, I had lemonade stands. As I got older, I babysat, did yard work, and kept score for my churches student basketball and volleyball games. I went out and looked for these jobs; my parents didn't order me to do them.

on 3/2/2006 A lot of kids do not like to have to deal with the rigorous schedule that usually comes with chore charts. Instead, try a commission based system; when they do a chore, they get payed. It doesn't have to be a chore that they have to do every day, week or month.

on 3/2/2006 With my son (age 5), he gets $3 a week. $1 to spend, $1 to save and $1 for the church. It is working really well for him, and then he doesn't feel like he can't have any of it.

on 2/28/2006 Before elementary school: $.25 or $.50 a week.
During elementary school: One dollar per grade level (i.e. grade 2 - $2, grade 5 - $5) a week
After elementary school: $10-$20 a week (If they complain during high school, help them look for a part time job).

on 2/28/2006 Always make sure to give your child the money without them having to remind you.

on 2/28/2006 When our kids receive allowance, it is divided into categories beyond spending money much like our own paycheck.
First, a tithe to the church.
Second, long term savings. For a large expense, such as camp, a computer or even college.
Third, a tax which the family votes on how to spend (maybe a weekly movie night or vacation money).

on 2/28/2006 While your child grows in age, they need to be responsible for more money. Think about increasing the allowance slowly.

on 2/28/2006 Designate who is giving out the allowance each time so children don't try to collect multiple allowances.

on 2/28/2006 We set the weekly amount based on the grade level of school for each child. Example: A second grader gets $2.00 and the fourth grader gets $4.00. This is a big help when you have children close in age but in different grade levels. They have no argument when the older one gets more.

on 2/28/2006 As I and my sisters grew up, we received allowance in proportion to how old we were, so that we received $7 a month when we were seven, etc. And since we would receive one more dollar a month, they would add one more chore every year.

on 2/28/2006 The method that seems to work best for my child is as follows:
$1 per week for each year of age. For example an 8-year-old child would get $8 per week payable twice monthly. This gives the child more incentive to save because it is easier to spend smaller amounts of money.