Chores, Kids and Allowance

We’ve been parenting for a lot of years. We have had numerous conversations about what chores are expected because we are all part of the family and everyone has to pull their weight vs. what chores earn allowance. We have tried the do chores for allowance before but it wasn’t very structured and didn’t last. We also just expected chores to be done because it teaches good life lessons and it’s helpful to everyone. In all of those conversations we focused more on the chores and not so much on the money, except to use it as a motivator. But now that we have adult children we have realized that teaching good financial skills is just as important as teaching our children to be helpful at home. We recently found a system that has worked brilliantly with our almost 7 year old!

chores chart allowance — Our chore chart with the current chores.

I found this awesome chore chart on www.jane.com. It has a ton of different options for chores and even includes some that we can write in what we want. And then TJ gets a star when he completes the chore. TJ’s chores include getting dressed and making his bed, setting the table, going to bed and staying in bed, cleaning up his mess and a parent’s choice. Each chore square has the words and a picture on it, so it is perfect for readers and non-readers. I do have to remind him at times to do a few of them and I am OK with that. However, if I have to remind him repeatedly, he doesn’t get the star. He earns $.25 for each star. He loves earning the stars and he is on top of getting paid! He reminds us every Monday morning! He can earn up to $10.50 a week. One week he only earned $6.00 and he realized he didn’t like the small paycheck!

But, he doesn’t just get to blow what he earns. This part is super important to us. TJ has 3 envelopes labeled spend, save and tithe. When he gets paid he divides the money up evenly between the 3 envelopes. The save money he obviously has to save. He can’t touch it. He has a savings account at the bank and this will go in it for something such as college or a car. And the tithe money goes to church. We have been able to have several conversations about where that money goes and why we tithe. The spend money is for him to blow. And oddly enough, he has been very responsible with it! He did finally spend some this week after he saw something he wanted and then thought about it for a few days. I let him go through the line at the store and pay himself and he LOVED it!

We are loving this system for a few reasons. 1. It’s been very easy to be consistent. TJ knows what his chores are and most of the time does them without being ask. 2. TJ is learning how to be a helper and how to do chores. This week he is at his grandparents house. He was upset he wouldn’t earn any money while he was gone, so I encouraged him to do the chores at their house. 3. TJ is beginning to learn the importance of tithing, saving and being able to only spend the money that he has. He has also been able to practice counting money and seeing different types of bills. It’s really been a win-win! This chore chart is not currently on Jane.com but there is another version here that would be excellent for older children. I’d love to hear some other ideas of how you helped teach your children financial responsibility and how to help out in the family!