https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 26 May 2026 06:03:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484356 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 12:13:12 +0000 red_seattle 2484356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're still in discussions on this. DH read in Freakonomics or some other similar book that kids shouldn't earn allowances for doing chores, but should be expected to do chores just as a member of the family contributing to the family. What I don't get is what is to incentivize kids to do chores then? The threat of punishment if they don't pitch in? In that case, it seems that the positive reward system of earning $ makes more sense than grounding the kids every time they don't take out the trash. But maybe I'm missing something here? How do you get kids to do chores if you don't offer an allowance? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484279 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 11:19:19 +0000 hummusgirl 2484279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: This guy sums up my approach better than I could: <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2015/02/kids_allowances_you_re_doing_it_completely_wrong.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2015/02/kids_allowances_you_re_doing_it_completely_wrong.html</a> </p> <p>LO is 3 and we're planning to start an allowance soon! We'll see how it goes... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484267 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 11:11:56 +0000 ShootingStar 2484267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hummusgirl: I guess that kinda makes sense, but that assumes your LO wants to spend money on the kinds of things you were going to buy anyways. Like clothes. You obviously have to clothe your kid, but what if instead of designer jeans, they want to blow it all on video games? </p> <p>I guess I figure yes, we spend money on them just for being our kid - we clothe them, buy them extras, presents, etc. But I want them to earn money so that they can exercise buying freedom and realize the consequences of their decisions. So I won't go out and buy them a $50 video game every month. But if they want to save up their allowance for it, that's awesome to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484260 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 11:06:42 +0000 hummusgirl 2484260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: My rationale for an allowance not tied to chores (though they will have chores too) is that we're going to be spending money on our kids anyway "just for being our kid." For example, we chose to have kids so we're responsible for making sure they have clothes. But with an allowance, they can learn how to prioritize - one pair of designer jeans vs. several less expensive things, etc. </p> <p>I see it as us spending the same amount of money but giving them more responsibility so they can start to understand that money is finite. When I was younger, my parents would just give me $20 or whatever to go to the mall and I didn't really understand that money for movies, food, etc., doesn't just appear! It's more painful to spend your own money, basically. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484232 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 10:36:36 +0000 Mamaof2 2484232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have one as a kid but once I got my 1st job at 16 and my mom had me start paying for stuff I learned really quick to save and what was worth spending my money on.</p> <p>DS is 7 and has been asking for one but we haven't done it yet. I don't think it should be associated with reg chores (bed, laundry, trash, etc) but I would be fine giving it for extra things that I typically would do myself.</p> <p>I have heard 1/2 their age in $ per week and their age in $ per week.</p> <p>@hummusgirl: love that! DS is visual so that would totally appeal to him! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484206 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 10:11:29 +0000 ShootingStar 2484206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We'll definitely do some sort of allowance. I never had one as a kid and I didn't really learn about money management until I was in my 20s. I did do lots of helping around the house - dishes, helping clean every weekend, helping rake leaves, etc. And when I'd ask for some money to go to the mall my parents would give me a small amount. </p> <p>I know a lot of people are against an allowance for chores, but I'm kind of against an allowance just for being our kid. An allowance is a privilege and must be earned by working, just like we have to work to earn our money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484156 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 09:26:29 +0000 snowjewelz 2484156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Same with you! I totally get why having an allowance would be beneficial, and it's not off the table, BUT I never had one and I grew up very aware and responsible of how to use/manage money... Somehow my parents instilled that in me without an allowance </p> <p>I also agree that *most* chores should not be paid but part of their responsibility as part of the family but there can be above and beyond chores that can earn them $. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484122 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 08:59:04 +0000 Maysprout 2484122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure. But it won't be directly tied to everyday household chores. That stuff needs done just because a responsible person takes care of themselves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484077 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 08:23:47 +0000 cat620 2484077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm still deciding what to do about this. I never got an allowance growing up, but if I needed money, I could ask for it and usually get it. DH didn't have an allowance, but his parents set up a system where they paid for chores. He had two siblings, and only one of the siblings ever took advantage of it, and he would do all the chores and collect all the money. It's hard to decide how much to give and if it should be tied to something like chores, grades, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484068 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 08:17:39 +0000 catomd00 2484068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haven't given it much thought but I doubt it. I don't really like the expectation that you get paid for pulling your weight in the house. We are r in favor of intrinsic motivation. Neither DH or I had one growing up and we are fine with money management. We will find other ways to teach them about finances. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484049 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 07:42:02 +0000 hellobeeboston 2484049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes I definitely will when the boys get older for doing chores, doing well in school, etc. but not for a while... I think they should help around the house without incentive when they're little just to make it part of how things are. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484039 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 07:17:42 +0000 looch 2484039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will be honest, in my personal experience, I think I am great with money and I never had an allowance, so I don't think an allowance is necessary in order to learn the basics of saving and the financial systems. All I had was piggy bank and the spare change my dad would let me have after a few months of collecting it in his change bowl.</p> <p>My son is 5 and while he understands that you need money to buy things, he doesn't understand how some things cost more than others and where the money actually comes from.</p> <p>@Torchwood: I agree with you. My brother and I were raised with the same method and I save everything and my brother spends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484038 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 07:17:12 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2484038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will, but I don't want to start until she roughly knows the value of money. I want to implement what @chopsuey: doing with 3 jars - give, save, spend.</p> <p>I also set aside a little money for her each month, which I intend to give her when she either turns 16 or 18 or when she finishes high school. She's only 3.5, so we have some time to figure it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2484006 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 04:45:16 +0000 lamariniere 2484006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH and I have different opinions about this, so we haven't decided yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2483973 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 23:48:12 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2483973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes – I believe getting an allowance is an important part of learning how to handle and save money. We got an allowance weekly as kids and we were required to save at least half of it. (We typically saved more than that). It allowed us to learn how to save up for bigger purchases. We also had to fill out all deposit or withdrawal slips for the savings account the money was in (and keep up the account ledger).</p> <p> I am also a firm believer that allowance should not be tied to chores. You do chores just because you are a contributing member of the family. You shouldn't be paid for that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2483927 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 22:27:47 +0000 Torchwood 2483927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Basically what @Raindrop said- she'll have am allowance of some sort. She will also have chores, but not tied to the allowance. As a member of the family she will be expected to contribute. If she wants more, she can do extra jobs for payment. </p> <p>I'm not really sure how much of a difference any of it makes. I spend everything I get (birthday money, etc), my brother saves it all. It's more temperament I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2483822 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 20:13:55 +0000 Raindrop 2483822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hummusgirl: Doing the exact same thing when we start giving kids money. Haha.</p> <p>I think I read somewhere that giving a set allowance not tied to chores is a really good idea because of what you said it will help them manage money later. But also there should be a set of chores that are "expected" not to be paid for (like making the bed for example - also a chore wheel could be used here) - house rules and basic things they need to do to be a member of the household. Then there are chores that are above and beyond their normal house duties which you give extra for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2483807 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 20:03:49 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2483807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope! We believe in commission tied directly to specific jobs. No set allowance. We will eventually provide some fun money for activities or clothes that we would spend anyway to allow them to manage what they purchase, but any random spending money will be earned. We want them to learn from a very young age that money is earned. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2483806 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 20:03:36 +0000 Eko 2483806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee it's also likely he blew it because that's the first time he got one! </p> <p>We are planning on giving money for work around the house. There will be chores DS is expected to do and then anything above that we will assign money too. Very similar to @hummusgirl. But he will have chores that are expected, like cleaning his room, picking up toys, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2483762 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 19:19:15 +0000 hummusgirl 2483762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm planning on it but haven't started yet. I want to give them a set amount not tied to chores so they can practice spending their own money, and make them responsible for buying a lot of their own stuff as they get older. </p> <p>For extra spending money that is chore-related, I love this: </p> [attach=2361/16/o3hnk3.450x600.11816988_10207207709295477_2329987479065493764_n.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2483755 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 19:14:09 +0000 regberadaisy 2483755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yea, but only if they do their chores. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2483700 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 18:23:27 +0000 agold 2483700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: Ditto. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2483691 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 18:06:00 +0000 DillonLion 2483691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're going to do commissions where they work for their money by doing specific activities. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2483687 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 18:03:00 +0000 Alba4 2483687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sure, once they can do some chores. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2483670 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 17:31:24 +0000 mrbee 2483670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey: Smart!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2483668 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 17:29:12 +0000 chopsuey 2483668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started giving DD an allowance a couple months ago.<br /> She gets $3/week and puts $1 in 3 separate jars--give, safe and spend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-going-to-give-an-allowance-to-your-kids#post-2483654 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 17:06:57 +0000 mrbee 2483654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was reading how important it is to give kids an allowance, so I gave the kids two dollars the other day as an experiment. My son immediately blew it on as much potato chips as he could afford. At least he shared the chips with his sister?</p> <p>Gonna have to better understand how to structure an allowance before we make this a regular thing. Otherwise he would probably buy a metric ton of potato chips in the next year!!</p> <p>Are you going to give an allowance to your kids? </p>