Starting allowance for Tweens

[Anonymous]

My tweens have never had an allowance. I'd like to set up some sort of system where they get a certain small amount no matter what, plus an additional amount if they do their required chores either on their own or the first time I have asked, without a bad attitude. They have to do their required chores no matter what, but I'd like to give an incentive for just doing it without all the moaning and groaning and why me's. I'm not talking about major chores here, just the usual, clean up after yourself, take trash out, take your turn on walking the dog, little things like that. We have had a system where they can earn money for extra chores, and we can keep that.

So, what's the amount? In total and how would you break it down between the two categories above? The two kids are a year apart and very conscious of being treated differently. Their chores are the same; should the allowance be the same or does older get something extra just cause he was born first?

How much do you give your kids? I anticipate continuing to pay for all necessities and occasional wants, but they can use their money for other things they want or save it.

[Anonymous]

My kids are further apart but we have always done allowance based on age - so 15 for 15 year old. Ends at 18.

So older kid gets more now (or the part of the year they are the same they get the same) but older ends first.

I would do half and half for your categories.

[Anonymous]

Starting at 12, DS was assigned a list of chores. If he completes them all, he gets $20/week. He's very happy that a year later he has about $600 in the bank.

His younger sister, 8, gets $10 week for a smaller list of chores but she tends to blow it all rather than save. We're going to start a "spend-save-give" division to help her work on better habits.

I grew up with allowance tied to chores, and that's the model I prefer. Otherwise, I might give them $5-10/week for getting all HW done well, without parental nagging.

[Anonymous]

We do $15 allowance and includes keeping room neat, school assignments completed and chores. They are also asked to donate money to a specific need each quarter. They get to decide how much and where.

My advice though would be to ensure they do t get extra money when the want things. Allowance but then funding everything else teaches very little. If they are planning to go to a movie night with friends, DC should be budgeting.

[Anonymous]

$10 for keeping up with homework and very basic chores (setting table, taking trash out, put laundry away). Then up to $15 if they exercise and practice their instrument most days. Last week they decided to forgo the entire allowance because they decided to not do chores, and I let them. Now they regret it, so they are raking leaves for extra cash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$10 for keeping up with homework and very basic chores (setting table, taking trash out, put laundry away). Then up to $15 if they exercise and practice their instrument most days. Last week they decided to forgo the entire allowance because they decided to not do chores, and I let them. Now they regret it, so they are raking leaves for extra cash.

What do they do with their money? Not judging, my 12 year old has gone to 7-11 once or twice, but other than that has no place to spend her money right now.

[Anonymous]

It depends on what they are responsible for paying for. Covid makes things a bit different but do they pay when they go out with friends? Do they buy gifts for people? Do they buy clothes? Will they one day need to contribute to their car insurance or gas?

[Anonymous]

I’m also curious re: how much money is too much for a 15 year old to have all at once. My teen earned over $300 this fall and we said we will deposit it in Roth IRA but we agreed to give some cash for spending $. Now he wants it all now. Granted he earned it, but this a kid who has not made safe choices lately. I would prefer to give him in chunks or just let me know what he wants to buy and I’ll buy ok Prime. I’m afraid he’ll buy inappropriate items. Let it go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$10 for keeping up with homework and very basic chores (setting table, taking trash out, put laundry away). Then up to $15 if they exercise and practice their instrument most days. Last week they decided to forgo the entire allowance because they decided to not do chores, and I let them. Now they regret it, so they are raking leaves for extra cash.

What do they do with their money? Not judging, my 12 year old has gone to 7-11 once or twice, but other than that has no place to spend her money right now.

It's episodic although mostly my son spends on xbox games and my daughter puts a lot of it in the bank. But also they like to shop on vacation (at the beach) or other special events pre-covid. This year they have to contribute to birthday and Christmas gifts. Sometimes I just say "use your own money" when I'm over budget for the week or an item seems frivolous. For a long time my 12 year old was saving for a nice phone but decided against it once she realized how many weeks of allowance it would take--to me that is the whole point of an allowance. They have to make spending choices.