I think I started getting allowence when I was 12. I got $10 an week. Really I didn't have to do much, Maybe dishes here and there and keeping my room clean. I complained about inflation once I hit high school and then got $20. But on my 18th birthday my dad told me I had to get a job...what a great present that was.

I am HORRIBLE with this. I do agree with Mike - the kids need to just pitch in and help around the house because we are a family and we all need to work to make things flow. HOWEVER, I also think that giving the kids a set amount of money each week can help them to save for certain things that they want to get and that I won't just buy them. It helps them to understand how much things really cost and how hard it is to work towards that type of goal. Makes them think more about what they want to spend their money on and what is really worth the effort.

When I actually have a plan, I work it like this: $1 for every grade level. (3rd grader gets $3, Freshman gets $9) My youngest is in preschool, so he gets about 50 cents. I type up a weekly list for them to follow. It doesn't always work well, and when I don't have the list out, they just do as I tell them and don't get paid. If there is a list, the are deducted 25 cents for each item they do not accomplish. Once they are at zero, they still need to do the chores and may have additional work added.

I really am not a firm believer in paying for work, but it does really motivate them to do more. "Mom, is there something I can do to help you?" Is what I most frequently here when I enforce the work/allowance rules. I tell them that if they do anything that is above and beyond what is being asked of them that week, they can possibly earn more money.

What do you do? I am sure that you are totally more consistent with whatever plan you have in place!

Our plan is that the kids are required to do their chores just because they have the pleasure of living in our home! We have tried numerous forms of allowances. Right now, they are getting $20/month. They have to use it to buy extra stuff ( concert tickets, video games, belly button piercings, movie tickets, etc...). All the extra stuff we don't pay for. I think they need some money to learn to save and how to budget. Derek will spend every last cent before we barely get it in his hands. Nicole will save, save, save. They will both start working this summer and I am curious as to how other parents handle that too. Do we make them pay for all their own things then? Do we charge them money to get them used to when they have to pay rent/utilities/insurance, etc..??? Do we require them to save a certain amount? It gets confusing at this age. Remember when they were little and happy with a quarter?

My boys are 14 and 12 - they get $20/each per month. Of that, $5, is for spending, $5 is for church/charity and $10 goes directly into a savings account.
I buy their clothes; they buy music, snacks, etc. It has worked out wonderfully. They both have big savings accounts and love giving their money to those in need.

Now - they have chores. They clean toliets, vacuum, empty garbages, clean the litter boxes, shovel, rake and mow. And other stuff as it comes up.
I am teaching them to be self-sufficient and responsible. In return, I get a heckuva lot of help with the house/yard work!

DAMN! I was cleaning up! lol I didn't know how good I had it!!!!

You and me both LeeLoo! I just asked my parents for money and they gave it to me. Never any big amounts or anything. Just like $20 or $30 whenever I needed it. Yes, I had to do chores but that wasn't to earn money. Another part of my rebellion....I had to do all the ironing. As soon as I moved out at 18, I refused to do any ironing and to this day do not and never will own an iron. Ha! That'll teach 'em!