TrendTRACKer: Handling Chores and Allowance
On a recent trip to my local StuffMart... Okay, on every trip to the StuffMart I have a little conversation that goes something like this:
"Mom, can I have this _____ (insert any toy)"
"Do you have any money with you?"
"I'm out of money and we haven't been keeping track of my chores. So, you have not been giving me any allowance."
Sigh.
Alas, it is true.
I'd love to say I am good at keeping track of this.
But I'm not.
Frankly, I'm not really that savvy with my own money so an allowance system has sort of evaded me.
Which is exactly what I don't want to teach them - my own money habits. I have spent years trying to learn good ones and I really would like to teach them early on how to manage their own little banks.
Then there are the chores. Or Tasks. Or responsibilities - whatever you call them in your home.
What chores do I ask them to do?
What kind of chart do I make to keep track of it?
Shouldn't they keep track of it?
I did find one site to help me out. Handipoints has the answer to so many of these questions! I found this site through another blog and have really enjoyed it. You do have to join and you should join with your kids so you can make the chart together. You can print it out or you can have your kids log in and use the chart. There are several other charts for different tasks that you may want to keep track of.
I like it because it's a team effort and it makes it fun for them to keep track of. I also liked the suggestions for chores and the ability to enter in custom chores.
I've found this a handy way to keep better track of my kids chores.
Here is another article in Good Housekeeping of 3 different moms and allowances. Although, I have to say the title kind of threw me - More and More Parents are Asking Their Kids to Earn their Allowances. Well, yeah! Is there any other way to get an allowance? Do people actually pay their kids for just existing? The story really does go on to share the stories of how these moms are helping their kids learn responsibility by having tasks to do at home and earning money.
One tip that I have about allowances is that my kids have to remember to ask me for it at the end of the week. Much like you would if you had a job and had to get your paycheck. This doesn't always work but it helps me remember to actually give them their allowance.
I'd love to discuss this more.
What ways to you keep track of chores or tasks for your kids?
How do you handle allowances?
Especially in an economy that is stretching most family budgets to the max.
"Mom, can I have this _____ (insert any toy)"
"Do you have any money with you?"
"I'm out of money and we haven't been keeping track of my chores. So, you have not been giving me any allowance."
Sigh.
Alas, it is true.
I'd love to say I am good at keeping track of this.
But I'm not.
Frankly, I'm not really that savvy with my own money so an allowance system has sort of evaded me.
Which is exactly what I don't want to teach them - my own money habits. I have spent years trying to learn good ones and I really would like to teach them early on how to manage their own little banks.
Then there are the chores. Or Tasks. Or responsibilities - whatever you call them in your home.
What chores do I ask them to do?
What kind of chart do I make to keep track of it?
Shouldn't they keep track of it?
I did find one site to help me out. Handipoints has the answer to so many of these questions! I found this site through another blog and have really enjoyed it. You do have to join and you should join with your kids so you can make the chart together. You can print it out or you can have your kids log in and use the chart. There are several other charts for different tasks that you may want to keep track of.
I like it because it's a team effort and it makes it fun for them to keep track of. I also liked the suggestions for chores and the ability to enter in custom chores.
I've found this a handy way to keep better track of my kids chores.
Here is another article in Good Housekeeping of 3 different moms and allowances. Although, I have to say the title kind of threw me - More and More Parents are Asking Their Kids to Earn their Allowances. Well, yeah! Is there any other way to get an allowance? Do people actually pay their kids for just existing? The story really does go on to share the stories of how these moms are helping their kids learn responsibility by having tasks to do at home and earning money.
One tip that I have about allowances is that my kids have to remember to ask me for it at the end of the week. Much like you would if you had a job and had to get your paycheck. This doesn't always work but it helps me remember to actually give them their allowance.
I'd love to discuss this more.
What ways to you keep track of chores or tasks for your kids?
How do you handle allowances?
Especially in an economy that is stretching most family budgets to the max.
Comment
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Comment by Janel on August 27, 2009 at 7:55pm -
I think it's great. Maybe that is more my speed these days. ;)
However, saving money seems to be a trend lately for sure. Finally, saving money becomes trendy! Sounds like next week's post!
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Comment by Elizabeth Shugg on August 27, 2009 at 6:46pm -
Janel, I put both of your sites on the Tech TRACKS page. Do you think that's the right place for them? Wasn't sure where to include them on Trend TRACKS.
Carrie, I added your site to the Travel TRACKS page.
Thanks ladies!
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Comment by Janel on August 27, 2009 at 5:20pm
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Thanks for all the links and feedback ladies! So very helpful!
I just read about another site called SmartyPig where you can actually save real money for events, holidays, etc. Very fun site and practical!
Here is the link http://www.smartypig.com/
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Comment by Elizabeth Shugg on August 27, 2009 at 5:14pm
- Wow, very cool! Thanks Carrie.
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Comment by Carrie Wilkerson on August 27, 2009 at 5:08pm - Here it is: http://www.charlestoninn.com/polarexpresstrainride.html We can't wait!
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Comment by Elizabeth Shugg on August 17, 2009 at 5:34pm
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What a great lesson for your children. Teaching kids the value of a dollar can be accomplished in many ways--and this was a great way to do it!
By the way, can you send me that Polar Express website link so I can add it to the Travel TRACKS page? :)
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Comment by Carrie Wilkerson on August 17, 2009 at 4:10pm
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We don't do a consistant weekly allowance program with our kids (ages 10,8 and 3) but this past spring when the "gimmies" seemed out of control and they really wanted a Wii, my husband and I made a deal with them. We would clean out our storage room, garage and their closets and sell all the items that they had outgrown or were no longer using. It took a few months as we did it a little at a time, but we did it. Once we had the money saved, we all went as a family and picked it out. When our 10 year old begged for additional software, we were able to tell her no, not yet. We had just enough for the Wii, plus one additional remote and nunchuk. At first she pouted, but she got over it - they alwasy do, right? The best part is: they absolutely love and appreciate their new gift.
Sure, it would have been way easier to just go charge it and give it to them, but they have learned so much from this. We are now saving for a trip to the mountains to ride the "Polar Express" this Christmas (though I think we may run out of stuff to sell and have to give the balance as a Christmas gift!)
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Comment by Aylin on August 5, 2009 at 9:54am - Janel- Thanks for posting this! That Good Housekeeping Article was definitely one for the printer. It has some great ideas. When my children were very young we had a link system where they earned a link at the end of each day for fulfilling a very few basic obligations. We made those construction paper links (strips of paper stapled into a circle- linked together to elongate the chain). The first link was taped to their bedroom ceiling and each day they had the chance to add another link to the chain to watch it grow. When it reached the floor they got to pick out something at the store (stuffed animal or toy). It was very visual for that age group. We do have chore charts but really need to get back on track with the actual daily tracking of it- AND incorporate some of those great ideas in the article. Thanks again!
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Comment by Elizabeth Shugg on August 4, 2009 at 11:24am
- I am SO doing this. I, too, have trouble keeping track of my kids' weekly allowance and chores. If they really want the $$, they'll be happy to do this. Thanks Janel!
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