A friend recently asked me how much money I give Journey for allowance. She was so surprised when I said I don’t give her one. I’m not knocking those parents who do, but it was an easy decision for me. Here are 3 reasons why I don’t give my kid an allowance.
First, let me just say that I understand why you might be giving your kid an allowance…
- It’s a step towards independence
- It can motivate them to help out more around the house
- It can help teach them how to manage money
But there are many other ways to teach those lessons. And I’ve been able to do it without giving my daughter an allowance by openly talking and sharing my values around money.
Why I Don’t Give My Kid An Allowance
1. She has her own money
My daughter has amassed a small fortune between birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. Maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but my point is that she has plenty of cash to pretty much buy whatever she wants. And because she doesn’t get money every week, she is more intentional about how she spends it.
2. It’s not how the real world works
I’m not paying you to do things that I expect you to do as a part of a family. If I got paid for doing all the household chores that I do every day, I would be rich! But we all know that’s not how it works. When you pay kids for doing chores, it gives them the unrealistic expectation that they should get paid for playing their part to help maintain the household. They also might think they can skip chores when they feel like it or are no longer motivated by money. Everyone in the family needs to contribute to running the household. We receive the reward of a clean, organized, safe home that we can all enjoy comfortably.
3. There are other ways to teach kids about money
Giving your kid an allowance is not necessarily the best way to teach them about money management. Every time you go to the grocery store or pay bills, there is an opportunity to teach them about budgeting, wants, and needs. I give my daughter money lessons in everyday life by giving her a budget and asking her to calculate discounts and sale prices while we are shopping. We also routinely review our household budget so she can understand what items are essential, what items are discretionary, and the importance of saving.
I am willing to pay my daughter for any help that goes beyond household chores. Since I am an entrepreneur, I always need extra help with projects. And am happy to pay her for assistance with administrative tasks.
So those are the 3 reasons I don’t give my kid an allowance. Do you agree or disagree? Do you give your kid an allowance?
Be inspired,
