Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:just a question. why some say that allowance should not be linked to chores? I am starting with this allowance thing, and I was planning to link it to the chores they need to do, like a sort of salary. why this should not be done? I was planning to have basic chores they need to do anyway (make their beds, cleaning table and so on) and elective chores they can do to make more money (kids are 4.5 and 8). I also started telling them that they will be "charged" when they ruin something (not always, only when I tell them not to do something a million times and they do it and ruin something, then I started telling them that they need to pay for the repair/purchase of new item - so far just telling them they need to pay for it has been sufficient to make them more careful with things)

1. Household work is done by all members of the household because we all live here and need a clean, comfortable house. My kids have to make their beds, clean the bathroom, sweep the kitchen, take out the trash, etc. because they live here and are members of the family - not because I will pay them for it.

2. If you pay them for chores they may decide that they would rather decline to do the work and forgo the money (turning the tables against you). In our house declining to do your share is just not an option.

Anonymous wrote:just a question. why some say that allowance should not be linked to chores? I am starting with this allowance thing, and I was planning to link it to the chores they need to do, like a sort of salary. why this should not be done? I was planning to have basic chores they need to do anyway (make their beds, cleaning table and so on) and elective chores they can do to make more money (kids are 4.5 and 8). I also started telling them that they will be "charged" when they ruin something (not always, only when I tell them not to do something a million times and they do it and ruin something, then I started telling them that they need to pay for the repair/purchase of new item - so far just telling them they need to pay for it has been sufficient to make them more careful with things)

Anonymous wrote:just a question. why some say that allowance should not be linked to chores? I am starting with this allowance thing, and I was planning to link it to the chores they need to do, like a sort of salary. why this should not be done?

Anonymous wrote:Right now, I pay for all of my kids' activities. They get allowance and are required to use it for gifts and for whatever stuff and snacks (beyond what I buy if we are all out together). I still pay for their activities, but expect that to change in the future. What I did was figure out how much they need for gifts and then how much I felt was a good amount of spending money per year. I base the weekly amount on that. Right now, my 14 year old gets $7 per week and my 11 year old gets $5 per week. I have to soon start my 5 year old on allowance and I'm thinking $4 per week.

As far as gifts, they have to buy Christmas and Birthday for everyone in the family. They can choose to buy others and have always bought a Mother's Day gift. I buy the gifts for friends parties but if they aren't happy with my budget, they can supplement with their money.

As far as amount of spending on gifts, I encourage them to budget no more than one to two weeks of allowance for a gift. It forces them to price shop and spend within their budget. Lately they have been combining money to get larger gifts.

Anonymous wrote:We love this book and used it as guidance for structuring allowance for our kids. It is entertaining reading, to boot!

http://www.amazon.com/The-First-National-Bank-Dad/dp/0743204808/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378213311&sr=8-1&keywords=the+bank+of+dad

Anonymous wrote:$1 per year. She keeps half, puts 1/4 in short term savings, I put 1/4 in long term savings. She is 11 and we have been doing this for 6 years. Short term savings is for big purchases or spending money on trips, long term savings she can have when she moves out of our house. The money she keeps she can spend on what she wants.

I have watched her "waste" money on gum, erasers, candy, silly bandz, gel pens in every color, tiny notebooks, useless plastic crap, and most recently an over- priced ugly Coach purse at a consignment shop. I also watched her spend ALlL of her saved trip money on the first day of a 5 day vacation at the gift shop at the Magic Kingdom on two Webkinz that could have been purchased much cheaper at home. (And yes we had that discussion before she bought them). I have also seen her save enough money to buy an iPad, voluntarily give money to worthy causes, and treat her friends to ice cream.

What do I pay for? Clothes, toiletries, gifts. I also buy all school supplies and sporting gear. I do not buy gum, toys, candy, or specialty clothing. If we are all going for ice cream, we pay. If she wants ice cream and it's not a family trip, she buys her own ice cream. If she wants Chipotle and that's not what's for dinner, she pays. Interestingly enough she has never paid for dinner. Seems as if what I am preparing for free always trumps buying her own junk food dinner.

I assume as she ages I will give her X amount of money to work with and send her on her way.

Anonymous wrote:$1 per year??? I don't think that will go very far.

Anonymous wrote:$1 per year. She keeps half, puts 1/4 in short term savings, I put 1/4 in long term savings. She is 11 and we have been doing this for 6 years. Short term savings is for big purchases or spending money on trips, long term savings she can have when she moves out of our house. The money she keeps she can spend on what she wants.

I have watched her "waste" money on gum, erasers, candy, silly bandz, gel pens in every color, tiny notebooks, useless plastic crap, and most recently an over- priced ugly Coach purse at a consignment shop. I also watched her spend ALlL of her saved trip money on the first day of a 5 day vacation at the gift shop at the Magic Kingdom on two Webkinz that could have been purchased much cheaper at home. (And yes we had that discussion before she bought them). I have also seen her save enough money to buy an iPad, voluntarily give money to worthy causes, and treat her friends to ice cream.

What do I pay for? Clothes, toiletries, gifts. I also buy all school supplies and sporting gear. I do not buy gum, toys, candy, or specialty clothing. If we are all going for ice cream, we pay. If she wants ice cream and it's not a family trip, she buys her own ice cream. If she wants Chipotle and that's not what's for dinner, she pays. Interestingly enough she has never paid for dinner. Seems as if what I am preparing for free always trumps buying her own junk food dinner.

I assume as she ages I will give her X amount of money to work with and send her on her way.

Anonymous wrote:Isn't part of giving kids an allowance giving them chances to make mistakes with money before they are adults? Some of these plans are so structured, I don't see how kids have any opportunity to learn by experience.