How much do you give your pre-teen for weekly allowance?

Question

I just want to know what's the going rate. Do you base it on chores, completed school /homework, or what. I never had an allowance, in my day we just did it all and expected nothing ; )
So let me know what you do and what you think is fair.

Answer 1

I'm not sure how much to pay a pre-teen for an allowance. I never got or get one. I just do the chores mainly just because my Mom asks me. If my Mom's asks my nicely I will do it for her ^_^ I do it because I love her and I am 15 and should be helping her out with no pay, I mean getting payed to clean at the teen age is like robbing your parents I think.

Answer 2

I have a "Family Contract" for my 7 year old. She does not get paid for good grades, as I do not feel like I should have to "bribe" her to make them (she has a 4th grade reading level). She has a list of Routine Chores that she must do every day (i,e: make her bed in the morning, do her homework, help with after dinner dishes, be home by "curfew"-when she goes to play down the street, etc.) Each chore is worth a certain number of points. Then there are Special chores too (vacuuming, dusting, washing the car, etc) things that are not done as often that she can "pick up" points for. There are other things she is required to do (read for 10 minutes a day--something NOT school related, exercise,....) Then every night I count her points up and she gets a daily total, and at the end of the week she gets to a certain "level". Each level has a different allowance amount, and different amount of privileges. It takes a lot of time, but it teaches responsibility and she does excellent with it! I started it when my 15 year old cousin moved in with me, and it has been a blessing. For her, the maximum amount of allowance she can earn is $7 a week. I think $15 a week is a fair amount for a pre-teen. That will give them enough to go to a movie on the weekend or teach them to save for that "BIG" special item they want!

Answer 3

I would base it upon the extra chores they do no their responsibilities such as cleaning their room and making the bed. Extra stuff like taking out the garbage and remembering to put a new liner and then putting the garbage can out the night before they come pick it up. Also other stuff like unloading the dishwasher and loading it after rinsing off the dishes. The bathroom would be another one and you could even give more depending upon how clean they do it. Also the outdoors like raking leaves or shoveling the snow (if you get any) could be good areas in which he could help you and earn money at the same time. I would reward with gifts if and when they get A's on a test such as movie money or a new article of clothing. They will know the difference in those two. One in which the opportunity to earn money is by doing work and the other where good behavior is rewarded.
Good Luck

Answer 4

I did not give my son money for normal chores. I wanted him to know that as part of the family (him & myself) that we needed to work together, I worked full time. I did however give him money every month (part of his child support) Part of it had to be put away in savings and the rest he could spend as he wanted. He learned if he wanted something he needed to save for it. He learned if he wanted more to do chores in the neighbor hood. Rake leaves, clean the yard, Help carry groceries and small jobs. One job he had at 7 was to feed the neighbors dog after school monday -friday and was paid $5.00 a week. My self I gave him 15.00 a month. I know that did not seem like much but my child is now 30 And I only recieved 15 dollars a week for child support so back then he thought it was a lot as most of his friends did not get any.

Answer 5

I base it on chores for the most part. If she does not do any, she gets nothing. I also give $1 for each "A" they get. It works for me as they are trying harder and getting those "A's"

I think allowance is a good thing. They need their own spending money. I am not going to just hand out money on a whim if it's not earned. It also teaches what is expected of them as adults. If you work, you get paid.

Answer 6

I think that its important to teach children the value of hard work. It will be a lesson that they take with them through life.

I think a good idea would be to make a list of chores. Each chore is worth a certain dollar amount. So, depending on how much money your child wants to earn is all based on how motivated they are. I wouldn't just give them money though.

You can also offer certain dollar amounts for grades on the report card.

Answer 7

nicely i think of it relies upon on your habit that week, and how puzzling that stuff incredibly is... I look after good grades with my homeschooling and do babysitting daily at my abode, and do 30-60 minutes of cleansing daily and that i'm getting $5 an afternoon in a rather destructive significant different and toddlers.... i'm hoping that facilitates, yet i don't see why asking this question can get you to get a develop in allowance if that's what you're hoping for.

Answer 8

My 11 year old earns $5 a week for chores - but in order to receive it, she must keep a log of what she did and what day. I know all the things she does to help me out, but if she isn't keeping record - she doesn't get paid. Also, I pay her $5 a week for babysitting her younger sisters - that's non-negotiable - she gets that no matter what.

Answer 9

I would not base it on chores because if you are part of the family you should not be getting rewarded for something. But give her a fair amount of money about $30.00 a week which i get(I'm 13) Although I have to buy my own junk food and if I go out to eat or when i go out to the movies or whatever. My parents will buy me a sufficient amount of clothes and if i want something else i have to buy it myself. Also any kind of entertainment they want they have to buy them self eg. a golf club membership so they can learn to save up money.

Answer 10

The value of money is very important. I think 10 dollars a week is sufficient base. If she or he is good, add a bonus. If she is bad or grades are getting bad subtract a few dollars. This will motivate her to do more, and teach him/her the value of money. You can open up a savings account made for kids, and let him/her watch the money increase.

Hope I helped you out!