Parents Talk: The Great Allowance Debate

“I don’t have money for that today.” I hear the dad saying to his son at Target one day and I’m nodding in agreement because haven’t we all been there as parents?

Your kids are asking for something that wasn’t quite on your list that trip and aren’t understanding why a box of Oreos or that matchbox car can’t just find their way into your cart.

And my favorite kid response: “Just use your card.”

It seems our kids aren’t getting the best perception of money changing hands when we shop as we are pretty much a “paper-less” generation of spenders

We’ve been contemplating implementing an allowance at our house and it seems the experts are split. Tie it to chores or just give it out? What amount is reasonable? And do you force the saving part?

I’d like my kids to grow up to be financially responsible. I’d like them to value the things they use their money for and see the value in $1.00. I’d also like them to grow up knowing there are plenty of things more valuable than money.