Hi everyone! I’m Zara, and I’m 12 years old. I started Assetsforkids because I believe we can learn awesome money skills now, not when we’re grown-ups!
Have you ever wondered how to earn your own money? I found something amazing in my house. Doing chores for money has changed my life and my siblings’ lives too.
Here’s the cool part – doing chores for money isn’t just about getting a few bucks. It’s about learning that money doesn’t just appear magically. Hard work and being responsible actually pay off!
Research shows that a kids allowance system helps us understand that effort equals reward. This creates an important foundation for managing money later in life. We learn about saving, spending, and even donating portions of our earnings.
Today, I’ll share how children money management through chores has taught me real skills. Ready to become money-smart together? Let’s dive in!
Why I Started Connecting Money and Chores in My Family
I’ll never forget when I found out my parents didn’t have a magic money tree. I thought money just showed up when they needed it. But I was so wrong!
It started when I asked my mom for a new video game for fifty dollars. She said, “Do you know how many hours I have to work for fifty dollars?” That made me realize, my parents worked hard for every dollar.
That night, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. If my parents worked for money, why couldn’t I? I was already helping around the house. What if I could make those chores my own job?
The next morning, I went to the kitchen where my parents were having coffee. I said, “Mom, Dad, I want to talk to you about something important.” They were surprised because I sounded so serious!
I told them my idea about linking chores to earning money. At first, they were unsure. But then I explained how it could teach me about money and help our family. I promised I would take my responsibilities seriously and not slack off.
My parents loved the idea! They said it would be great for family financial education. They thought it would teach me the value of hard work. Plus, they were excited that I wanted to help more at home.
Looking back, that conversation changed everything for me. Now I believe every kid should earn money by helping at home. It teaches you so much more than just how to make a few bucks. It shows money comes from effort, and that feels amazing.
Building Kids Financial Responsibility Through Family Chores: My Step-by-Step System
I want to share how my family changed our ways with chores and money. I learned the hard way, so you don’t have to!
Step 1: Having “The Talk” with Your Parents
First, talk to your parents with a good plan. Don’t just ask for money without a reason. Explain how doing chores helps you learn important life skills.
I talked to my mom and dad at dinner. I said: “I want to learn about money, and doing chores for pay can help.” This was better than just asking for an allowance.
Step 2: Choose Age-Appropriate Chores
Here’s what works for different ages:
- Ages 8-10: Sorting recycling, organizing toy bins, feeding pets
- Ages 11-12: Making beds, cleaning windows, folding laundry
- Ages 13+: Vacuuming rooms, washing dishes, yard work
Choose chores you can do well. I made the mistake of picking hard tasks at first. It was frustrating for everyone.
We made a simple chart on our fridge. It lists each chore, when it’s due, and pay. I use colored stickers for finished tasks.
Apps or notebooks work too, but the fridge chart is great. It’s easy to see and track chore payment methods.
Step 4: Agree on Fair Payment
Start with small amounts and adjust as needed. We started with 50 cents for simple tasks and $2 for bigger ones. Find amounts that motivate you but don’t cost too much for your parents.
Step 5: Survive the First Few Weeks
The start can be tough. I forgot chores sometimes, and my parents forgot to pay me. We had to remind each other a lot at first.
Don’t give up if it’s messy at first. Every family needs time to adjust to new chore payment methods. Have weekly family meetings to talk about what works and what doesn’t.
My biggest mistake was trying to do too many chores at once. Start with 2-3 tasks, then add more as you get used to the system.
Smart Ways to Price Different Chores Around Your House
Figuring out how much to pay for chores is like solving a fun puzzle! Everyone should feel good about the prices. You want to earn enough money for your work, and your parents want to pay fairly.
I learned that three main things decide how much a chore should pay. First is how long it takes. Second is how hard or gross the job is. Third is how much your parents hate doing it themselves!
Here’s my family’s real chore price list that works great for building financial literacy for children:
- Easy 10-minute jobs: $1-2 (wiping tables, feeding pets, organizing shoes)
- Medium 20-minute jobs: $3-4 (vacuuming rooms, cleaning bathrooms, folding laundry)
- Hard 30+ minute jobs: $5-7 (washing cars, raking leaves, deep cleaning)
- Gross jobs nobody likes: Extra $1-2 bonus (cleaning cat litter, scrubbing toilets)
This system teaches kids saving habits naturally. You start thinking about whether to do quick easy tasks or tackle harder jobs for more money.
Seasonal chores can really boost your earnings! My parents pay extra during busy times. Winter snow shoveling pays $8-10 because it’s cold and hard work. Fall leaf raking gets $6-8 since it takes forever and comes back the next day.
Spring and summer offer great opportunities too. Weeding gardens pays well because parents hate getting dirty and sweaty. Washing outdoor furniture before family gatherings can earn bonus money because timing matters.
Here’s my secret trick: pay attention to what your parents complain about most. If your mom always grumbles about cleaning the garage, offer to organize it for good money. If your dad hates washing windows, that’s your chance to earn big!
Some families use different pricing strategies. You might get paid weekly for regular chores, then earn bonus money for special projects. Others pay per job right when you finish. Find what works best for your family’s style and budget.
Remember that fair pricing helps everyone win. You feel good earning money for your hard work. Your parents feel good knowing the house stays clean and organized. Most importantly, you’re learning valuable lessons about earning money that will help you forever.
Teaching Yourself the Save, Spend, and Give Method
Now that you’re earning money from chores, let me share a game-changing system. It’s called the Save, Spend, and Give method. It’s changed how I think about money. It’s not just for adults; it’s fun for kids too!
I split my money into three parts. I save 50 cents for big things later. Then, I spend 40 cents on fun stuff now. The last 10 cents goes to help others in my community.
Why did I choose these numbers? Saving half my money adds up fast! Financial experts say families should save at least half. You can adjust the numbers to fit your goals.
Tracking your money is easy. I use three jars for “Save,” “Spend,” and “Give.” You can use envelopes or a notebook too. Seeing your money grow is the best part!
Having savings goals makes it more exciting. I’m saving for a skateboard that costs $80. Every time I add money, I get closer to my goal. It’s so satisfying to see the coins add up!
The giving part is my favorite. Last month, I gave my money to the local animal shelter. This teaches us money is for more than just buying things. It’s about making a difference too.
Start small with your own Save, Spend, and Give system. Choose percentages that feel right for you. Maybe try 40% save, 50% spend, and 10% give. The most important thing is to start and feel good about managing your money!
Keeping Track of Your Chore Earnings Like a Boss
Tracking your chore money is like being the boss of your own bank account. I’ll show you how to do it easily. You don’t need to be a math genius or use complicated spreadsheets. I’ve got simple tricks that make tracking your earnings fun.
My favorite method is the decorated chore chart. Get a big piece of poster board and divide it into columns. Write your name at the top, then make columns for each chore, the date you did it, and how much you earned.
Here’s the cool part – you can decorate this chart any way you want! Use stickers, colored markers, or even photos of yourself doing the chores. Every time you complete a task, you get to add a colorful checkmark and write down your earnings.
But maybe you’re more of a tech person like me. There are amazing apps that turn tracking into a game! These digital tools make managing your kids allowance system feel like playing on your phone instead of doing boring paperwork.
My personal tracking system takes less than 10 minutes to set up. I use a simple notebook with three sections: Chores Done, Money Earned, and Money Split. Every Sunday, I spend five minutes updating everything.
Here’s what I write down each time:
- What chore I did and when
- How much I earned
- How much went to Save, Spend, and Give
- My running total for each category
The best part about good record-keeping? It saves you when parents forget or disagree about what you did. When my mom once said I didn’t take out the trash on Tuesday, I showed her my chart with the date and checkmark. Problem solved!
Different chore payment methods work better with different tracking systems. If your family pays you weekly, a simple weekly chart works great. If you get paid per chore, you need something that tracks each task separately.
Keep your Save, Spend, and Give money separate in your tracking. I use different colored pens for each category. Green for Save money, blue for Spend money, and red for Give money. This way, I always know exactly how much I have in each pile.
Remember, the best tracking system is the one you’ll actually use. Start simple and make it fun. You can always add more details later as you get better at managing your money!
Problems I Faced and How I Fixed Them
This chore-money thing has been a wild ride with lots of bumps! I’m not going to pretend everything went smoothly. That would be a total lie.
The biggest problem I faced was getting super lazy about my chores. There was this one month where I just stopped doing my chores completely. I thought I could still get my allowance anyway because, well, I was being a kid who didn’t think things through!
My parents sat me down for a serious talk. They explained that money comes from work, and if I wasn’t working, I wasn’t earning. No chores meant no cash – it was that simple. This became a huge part of my family financial education.
Then came the epic sibling battle! My brother and I got into this massive argument about who was doing more work around the house. He claimed he was doing harder chores while I thought I was doing way more of them. It got pretty heated, and we were both keeping score like it was some kind of competition.
My parents created a chore rotation system where we switched tasks every two weeks. This way, we both got to experience the easy and hard jobs. No more fighting about fairness!
The funniest disaster happened when I decided to “deep clean” our bathroom. I used way too much soap and somehow made everything stickier than before I started. There were bubbles everywhere, and the mirror looked worse than when I began. My mom found me standing there completely confused about what went wrong.
That taught me an important lesson about asking for help when I didn’t know how to do something properly. Now I always check with my parents before trying new cleaning methods. It’s better to learn the right way than to create bigger messes!
Another big issue was when I thought I deserved way more money than my parents wanted to pay. I had calculated that I should be earning like $50 a week, which was totally unrealistic for a kid my age doing basic household responsibilities.
We solved this by researching what other families paid for similar chores. My parents showed me that my expectations were way off, and we found a fair middle ground. This whole process actually became a valuable lesson in negotiation and research skills.
The key thing I learned is that problems are going to happen – that’s just part of growing up and learning about money. The important part is talking through issues as a family and finding solutions together. Every mistake became a chance to get better at managing both chores and cash!
Taking Your Money Skills to the Next Level
Now you know the basics, it’s time to get better at money! I found cool ways to grow beyond simple chores and basic jobs.
Talking to your parents about more money for chores is a good idea. I asked nicely and showed them my hard work. They agreed on a fair price.
Ask to join family budget talks. My mom lets me track our grocery spending. It’s amazing to see how much things cost!
Seasonal work is great for extra cash. I make good money with holiday decorations and yard cleanup. These jobs pay more than daily tasks.
Stronger saving habits come from big goals. I’m saving for a laptop and maybe college. Having goals makes saving fun.
Try paying a small household bill. I pay our streaming service bill now. It teaches me about due dates and payments.
The chore system I started with has grown a lot. I’m not just earning pocket money anymore. I’m learning skills for handling money all my life.
FAQ
How do I convince my parents to start a chore-money system?
I had this exact same challenge! Show your parents how it helps the whole family. Explain you want to learn about money and take more responsibility.
Promise to stick with it and not give up. Ask them about their first jobs and how they learned about money. This usually gets them excited to help you learn too!
What chores should I start with as a 12-year-old?
Start with chores you already know how to do well! For me, that was making my bed, loading the dishwasher, and taking out the trash.
Don’t pick the hardest chores right away. You want early wins to build confidence. Match chores to your height and strength too.
I couldn’t reach high shelves at first, so I focused on floor-level tasks like vacuuming and organizing.
How much money should different chores pay?
This depends on your family’s budget. Quick 5-minute chores (like making beds) might pay
FAQ
How do I convince my parents to start a chore-money system?
I had this exact same challenge! Show your parents how it helps the whole family. Explain you want to learn about money and take more responsibility.
Promise to stick with it and not give up. Ask them about their first jobs and how they learned about money. This usually gets them excited to help you learn too!
What chores should I start with as a 12-year-old?
Start with chores you already know how to do well! For me, that was making my bed, loading the dishwasher, and taking out the trash.
Don’t pick the hardest chores right away. You want early wins to build confidence. Match chores to your height and strength too.
I couldn’t reach high shelves at first, so I focused on floor-level tasks like vacuuming and organizing.
How much money should different chores pay?
This depends on your family’s budget. Quick 5-minute chores (like making beds) might pay $0.50-$1.
Medium chores that take 15-20 minutes (like vacuuming a room) could pay $2-$3. Big chores that take an hour (like deep cleaning a bathroom) might pay $5-$8.
The chores your parents hate doing most usually pay better. That’s just smart business!
What’s the Save, Spend, and Give method?
It’s my favorite way to split up chore money! Every dollar I earn gets divided into three categories: Save, Spend, and Give.
I personally do 50% save, 30% spend, and 20% give. But you can adjust these percentages based on your goals and family values.
How do I track my chores and money without it being boring?
Make it fun by decorating your tracking chart with stickers and colors! Use a simple chart on your fridge where you check off completed chores and track your earnings.
You can also use apps like PiggyBot or iAllowance if you prefer digital tracking. The key is picking a system you’ll actually use consistently.
What do I do if my parents forget to pay me for chores?
This happens in every family! Keep a simple log of what chores you did and when. This way, you can politely remind your parents with proof.
Usually, they appreciate the organization and pay up right away!
How do I handle arguments with siblings about chore responsibilities?
Ugh, sibling drama is real! Start with clear, written chore assignments so there’s no confusion about who does what.
If arguments still happen, have a family meeting where everyone can voice their concerns. Rotating chores monthly helps too.
Can I negotiate higher pay for my chores?
Absolutely! Wait for a time when you’ve been consistently doing great work. Then, present your case.
I might say something like: “I’ve been doing my chores perfectly for two months now, and I noticed this bathroom cleaning takes me 45 minutes instead of 30. Could we discuss adjusting the rate?” Be prepared to explain why you deserve more!
What should I do if I get lazy and stop doing my chores?
I’ll be honest – this happened to me! My parents had to have a serious talk with me.
They explained that in the real world, you don’t get paid if you don’t work. We agreed on a “three strikes” system: if I missed chores three times without a good reason, I’d lose the privilege for a week. Having consequences helped me get back on track!
How can I earn extra money during holidays or special seasons?
Seasonal opportunities are awesome for earning extra cash! During holidays, I offer to help with decorating, gift wrapping, or extra cleaning before guests arrive.
In fall, I rake leaves for neighbors. Winter means shoveling snow (if you live somewhere snowy). Spring cleaning season is perfect for organizing closets or washing windows. I usually charge 25-50% more for these special projects since they’re not regular chores.
At what age should kids start earning money through chores?
I think kids can start as early as 6 or 7 with super simple tasks like putting toys away or feeding pets. The key is matching chores to developmental abilities.
Younger kids might earn quarters or dollars, while older kids like me can handle more complex chores and earn more money. There’s no “perfect” age – it’s more about when a child shows interest in learning about money and taking responsibility.
How do I set realistic savings goals with my chore money?
Start with something you really want but isn’t too expensive. Maybe a $30 video game instead of a $300 gaming console.
Break down the math: if you save $5 per week from chores, you can buy that game in 6 weeks. Seeing the timeline makes it feel achievable! Put pictures of your goals on your savings jar to keep you motivated. Once you reach smaller goals, you can work up to bigger ones.
What are some good ways to give back with my chore earnings?
There are so many cool ways to help others! I donate to our local animal shelter because I love dogs. You could also give to food banks, children’s hospitals, or environmental causes.
Some kids in my class pool their giving money together to sponsor a child through organizations like World Vision or Save the Children. Even small amounts add up and make a real difference!
.50-
FAQ
How do I convince my parents to start a chore-money system?
I had this exact same challenge! Show your parents how it helps the whole family. Explain you want to learn about money and take more responsibility.
Promise to stick with it and not give up. Ask them about their first jobs and how they learned about money. This usually gets them excited to help you learn too!
What chores should I start with as a 12-year-old?
Start with chores you already know how to do well! For me, that was making my bed, loading the dishwasher, and taking out the trash.
Don’t pick the hardest chores right away. You want early wins to build confidence. Match chores to your height and strength too.
I couldn’t reach high shelves at first, so I focused on floor-level tasks like vacuuming and organizing.
How much money should different chores pay?
This depends on your family’s budget. Quick 5-minute chores (like making beds) might pay $0.50-$1.
Medium chores that take 15-20 minutes (like vacuuming a room) could pay $2-$3. Big chores that take an hour (like deep cleaning a bathroom) might pay $5-$8.
The chores your parents hate doing most usually pay better. That’s just smart business!
What’s the Save, Spend, and Give method?
It’s my favorite way to split up chore money! Every dollar I earn gets divided into three categories: Save, Spend, and Give.
I personally do 50% save, 30% spend, and 20% give. But you can adjust these percentages based on your goals and family values.
How do I track my chores and money without it being boring?
Make it fun by decorating your tracking chart with stickers and colors! Use a simple chart on your fridge where you check off completed chores and track your earnings.
You can also use apps like PiggyBot or iAllowance if you prefer digital tracking. The key is picking a system you’ll actually use consistently.
What do I do if my parents forget to pay me for chores?
This happens in every family! Keep a simple log of what chores you did and when. This way, you can politely remind your parents with proof.
Usually, they appreciate the organization and pay up right away!
How do I handle arguments with siblings about chore responsibilities?
Ugh, sibling drama is real! Start with clear, written chore assignments so there’s no confusion about who does what.
If arguments still happen, have a family meeting where everyone can voice their concerns. Rotating chores monthly helps too.
Can I negotiate higher pay for my chores?
Absolutely! Wait for a time when you’ve been consistently doing great work. Then, present your case.
I might say something like: “I’ve been doing my chores perfectly for two months now, and I noticed this bathroom cleaning takes me 45 minutes instead of 30. Could we discuss adjusting the rate?” Be prepared to explain why you deserve more!
What should I do if I get lazy and stop doing my chores?
I’ll be honest – this happened to me! My parents had to have a serious talk with me.
They explained that in the real world, you don’t get paid if you don’t work. We agreed on a “three strikes” system: if I missed chores three times without a good reason, I’d lose the privilege for a week. Having consequences helped me get back on track!
How can I earn extra money during holidays or special seasons?
Seasonal opportunities are awesome for earning extra cash! During holidays, I offer to help with decorating, gift wrapping, or extra cleaning before guests arrive.
In fall, I rake leaves for neighbors. Winter means shoveling snow (if you live somewhere snowy). Spring cleaning season is perfect for organizing closets or washing windows. I usually charge 25-50% more for these special projects since they’re not regular chores.
At what age should kids start earning money through chores?
I think kids can start as early as 6 or 7 with super simple tasks like putting toys away or feeding pets. The key is matching chores to developmental abilities.
Younger kids might earn quarters or dollars, while older kids like me can handle more complex chores and earn more money. There’s no “perfect” age – it’s more about when a child shows interest in learning about money and taking responsibility.
How do I set realistic savings goals with my chore money?
Start with something you really want but isn’t too expensive. Maybe a $30 video game instead of a $300 gaming console.
Break down the math: if you save $5 per week from chores, you can buy that game in 6 weeks. Seeing the timeline makes it feel achievable! Put pictures of your goals on your savings jar to keep you motivated. Once you reach smaller goals, you can work up to bigger ones.
What are some good ways to give back with my chore earnings?
There are so many cool ways to help others! I donate to our local animal shelter because I love dogs. You could also give to food banks, children’s hospitals, or environmental causes.
Some kids in my class pool their giving money together to sponsor a child through organizations like World Vision or Save the Children. Even small amounts add up and make a real difference!
.
Medium chores that take 15-20 minutes (like vacuuming a room) could pay -. Big chores that take an hour (like deep cleaning a bathroom) might pay -.
The chores your parents hate doing most usually pay better. That’s just smart business!
What’s the Save, Spend, and Give method?
It’s my favorite way to split up chore money! Every dollar I earn gets divided into three categories: Save, Spend, and Give.
I personally do 50% save, 30% spend, and 20% give. But you can adjust these percentages based on your goals and family values.
How do I track my chores and money without it being boring?
Make it fun by decorating your tracking chart with stickers and colors! Use a simple chart on your fridge where you check off completed chores and track your earnings.
You can also use apps like PiggyBot or iAllowance if you prefer digital tracking. The key is picking a system you’ll actually use consistently.
What do I do if my parents forget to pay me for chores?
This happens in every family! Keep a simple log of what chores you did and when. This way, you can politely remind your parents with proof.
Usually, they appreciate the organization and pay up right away!
How do I handle arguments with siblings about chore responsibilities?
Ugh, sibling drama is real! Start with clear, written chore assignments so there’s no confusion about who does what.
If arguments still happen, have a family meeting where everyone can voice their concerns. Rotating chores monthly helps too.
Can I negotiate higher pay for my chores?
Absolutely! Wait for a time when you’ve been consistently doing great work. Then, present your case.
I might say something like: “I’ve been doing my chores perfectly for two months now, and I noticed this bathroom cleaning takes me 45 minutes instead of 30. Could we discuss adjusting the rate?” Be prepared to explain why you deserve more!
What should I do if I get lazy and stop doing my chores?
I’ll be honest – this happened to me! My parents had to have a serious talk with me.
They explained that in the real world, you don’t get paid if you don’t work. We agreed on a “three strikes” system: if I missed chores three times without a good reason, I’d lose the privilege for a week. Having consequences helped me get back on track!
How can I earn extra money during holidays or special seasons?
Seasonal opportunities are awesome for earning extra cash! During holidays, I offer to help with decorating, gift wrapping, or extra cleaning before guests arrive.
In fall, I rake leaves for neighbors. Winter means shoveling snow (if you live somewhere snowy). Spring cleaning season is perfect for organizing closets or washing windows. I usually charge 25-50% more for these special projects since they’re not regular chores.
At what age should kids start earning money through chores?
I think kids can start as early as 6 or 7 with super simple tasks like putting toys away or feeding pets. The key is matching chores to developmental abilities.
Younger kids might earn quarters or dollars, while older kids like me can handle more complex chores and earn more money. There’s no “perfect” age – it’s more about when a child shows interest in learning about money and taking responsibility.
How do I set realistic savings goals with my chore money?
Start with something you really want but isn’t too expensive. Maybe a video game instead of a 0 gaming console.
Break down the math: if you save per week from chores, you can buy that game in 6 weeks. Seeing the timeline makes it feel achievable! Put pictures of your goals on your savings jar to keep you motivated. Once you reach smaller goals, you can work up to bigger ones.
What are some good ways to give back with my chore earnings?
There are so many cool ways to help others! I donate to our local animal shelter because I love dogs. You could also give to food banks, children’s hospitals, or environmental causes.
Some kids in my class pool their giving money together to sponsor a child through organizations like World Vision or Save the Children. Even small amounts add up and make a real difference!