Comments on: Allowance http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/children/allowance/ Stories of Raising Responsible Kids Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:29:04 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: Jen http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/children/allowance/comment-page-1/#comment-843 Jen Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:50:34 +0000 http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/?p=169#comment-843 What we plan on doing this spring is to give our older children, ages 5 and 4, each $2.00 a week. With this money they will have to divide it 4 ways. .50 will go toward giving, .50 will go toward tithe, .50 will go toward savings and .50 will be available for them to spend. We will take them out once at the end of the month so they can buy with their available money. The reason why we have added giving is because we really want our children to experience the joy that comes with helping others. And with tithe, God always blesses us when we give back to Him, so we want our children to experience that also. I guess the outcome for our children would be to have a right heart and perspective in the usage of money. We hope that when they become adults, they won't make major financal mistakes that will come back and bite them. Or at least not as many! :) What we plan on doing this spring is to give our older children, ages 5 and 4, each $2.00 a week. With this money they will have to divide it 4 ways. .50 will go toward giving, .50 will go toward tithe, .50 will go toward savings and .50 will be available for them to spend. We will take them out once at the end of the month so they can buy with their available money. The reason why we have added giving is because we really want our children to experience the joy that comes with helping others. And with tithe, God always blesses us when we give back to Him, so we want our children to experience that also.

I guess the outcome for our children would be to have a right heart and perspective in the usage of money. We hope that when they become adults, they won’t make major financal mistakes that will come back and bite them. Or at least not as many! :)

]]> By: Christina http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/children/allowance/comment-page-1/#comment-816 Christina Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:54:41 +0000 http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/?p=169#comment-816 This comment is for Catherine. When my kids were younger we used pokers chip and wipe containers. We decorated their containers. Then they earned the chips by doing everyday things like...Being good in the store, Cleaning up there toys, brushing there teeth ECT.... We picked an amount of chips when they got enough we would have a family fun day and cash them in or they could cash them in on a small item. (we always made family fun night really fun so most of the time thats what they wanted to do.)My kids are 7 and 10 and we are doing allowance now! I hope this helps. This comment is for Catherine. When my kids were younger we used pokers chip and wipe containers. We decorated their containers. Then they earned the chips by doing everyday things like…Being good in the store, Cleaning up there toys, brushing there teeth ECT…. We picked an amount of chips when they got enough we would have a family fun day and cash them in or they could cash them in on a small item. (we always made family fun night really fun so most of the time thats what they wanted to do.)My kids are 7 and 10 and we are doing allowance now! I hope this helps.

]]> By: kristin http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/children/allowance/comment-page-1/#comment-812 kristin Sat, 16 Feb 2008 06:01:41 +0000 http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/?p=169#comment-812 Our kids get a rather hefty allowance, but with it, they're required to purchase all stuff... iTunes gift cards to enable music desires, birthday presents for their buddies, smoothies after school... it works out better this way - they're grasping the concept of saving and budgeting and I don't feel like I have my hand in my pocket every 5 minutes! Like your family, allowance is not tied to chores but is looked at as their share of family money - the chores are looked at as their part of contributing to the family! Our kids get a rather hefty allowance, but with it, they’re required to purchase all stuff… iTunes gift cards to enable music desires, birthday presents for their buddies, smoothies after school… it works out better this way – they’re grasping the concept of saving and budgeting and I don’t feel like I have my hand in my pocket every 5 minutes!

Like your family, allowance is not tied to chores but is looked at as their share of family money – the chores are looked at as their part of contributing to the family!

]]> By: Angela http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/children/allowance/comment-page-1/#comment-810 Angela Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:46:31 +0000 http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/?p=169#comment-810 I think we have a similar system. All the kids--from the 13yo to the 1yo--get a monthly allowance based on their age. I think it's great experience for them to manage their own money. We let them buy whatever they want, BUT if they're buying something worthwhile, like a toy, not candy, then we'll pay half. This encourages them to try to save up for the big thing. I think we have a similar system. All the kids–from the 13yo to the 1yo–get a monthly allowance based on their age. I think it’s great experience for them to manage their own money. We let them buy whatever they want, BUT if they’re buying something worthwhile, like a toy, not candy, then we’ll pay half. This encourages them to try to save up for the big thing.

]]> By: Gina... http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/children/allowance/comment-page-1/#comment-808 Gina... Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:26:26 +0000 http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/?p=169#comment-808 I, too, have struggled with the allowance thing. Before I had kids, I had an opinion and "knew" what I'd do. Now that they are here...I dunno. That's why I like handipoints...I use this site as their "allowance" and I don't need to fear the whole "material" thing as much. I can aknowledge and reward without more problems created by spend the cash. I do like the way you calculate amount, though. That seems to regulate well, plus allow for age/growth. And, as much as I like handipoints, I don't want to deprive my kids of "money experiences". Lastly, I really like the idea of giving small, extra, thoughtful "treats" for special help given. I think recognition and appreciation is more meaningful that way (vs cash). JMHO, though. I, too, have struggled with the allowance thing. Before I had kids, I had an opinion and “knew” what I’d do. Now that they are here…I dunno.

That’s why I like handipoints…I use this site as their “allowance” and I don’t need to fear the whole “material” thing as much. I can aknowledge and reward without more problems created by spend the cash.

I do like the way you calculate amount, though. That seems to regulate well, plus allow for age/growth. And, as much as I like handipoints, I don’t want to deprive my kids of “money experiences”.

Lastly, I really like the idea of giving small, extra, thoughtful “treats” for special help given. I think recognition and appreciation is more meaningful that way (vs cash). JMHO, though.

]]> By: Deputy's Wife http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/children/allowance/comment-page-1/#comment-806 Deputy's Wife Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:20:36 +0000 http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/?p=169#comment-806 I like your idea on amounts. I have always struggled with this one. Also, I think you posted about this on your blog awhile ago. For several months I have been using a bank chart you had suggested, posted on our fridge. The kids are able to see what they have (or don't have) and I don't have to be picking up loose money all over the house. (And the four year old has no need to go on his money stealing sprees from his brothers.) Thanks for the great advice! I like your idea on amounts. I have always struggled with this one. Also, I think you posted about this on your blog awhile ago. For several months I have been using a bank chart you had suggested, posted on our fridge. The kids are able to see what they have (or don’t have) and I don’t have to be picking up loose money all over the house. (And the four year old has no need to go on his money stealing sprees from his brothers.)

Thanks for the great advice!

]]> By: Catherine http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/children/allowance/comment-page-1/#comment-805 Catherine Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:39:05 +0000 http://www.handipoints.com/mommypoints/?p=169#comment-805 Thank you for sharing your ideas on this topic. At what age did you start allowance? Mine are 4 and 2. In your universe I'd give $ to my 4 yo, what about the 2 yo? What happens when 4 yo wants to spend his money and 2 yo doesn't have any? Argh, the complications ... right now no one gets anything :) Thank you for sharing your ideas on this topic. At what age did you start allowance? Mine are 4 and 2. In your universe I’d give $ to my 4 yo, what about the 2 yo? What happens when 4 yo wants to spend his money and 2 yo doesn’t have any? Argh, the complications … right now no one gets anything :)

]]>