It has taken nearly a decade, but we have finally come up with a satisfactory way to pay our kids their allowance.
For years, I went to the bank occasionally to stock up on dollar bills. I doled out allowance weekly to my little natives, until I would run out of cash, and then I would make myself a note to go back to the bank, and the note would get buried in my car.
It never worked, and I ended up being pretty inconsistent about paying them. Rule #831 of parenting: keep it simple.
Several months ago, my Hubs had a brainstorm. The kids already each had their own savings account (separate from college money). We synched it up all on-line, together with our checking account. Now when we log in to our banking accounts, we see our checking account listed with each of our kids' savings account listed below. We can easily do a transfer from our account to theirs (as they stand by and watch) with a click of the mouse.
No cash. No trips to the bank.
At first, I worried that not having their little hands on cold, hard cash would somehow make them less aware of the value of a dollar. Actually, the opposite has happened.
You and I both know that money you can't physically see is the money that it's the easiest to spend (hello, Great American Credit Card Crisis). By paying my kids this way, they're seeing that money has value even when you're not holding the currency in your hand. And they're seeing it under our close supervision, which will, hopefully, teach them to be savvy consumers someday. Paying them directly into their savings accounts (again, with them standing right next to us watching the transactions and the balances) has encouraged them to save. They're learning that there's some great satisfaction in watching their little nest eggs grow.
As for the amount? Right now, we take their age, divide it in half, and that's their weekly amount. For example, my ten year old gets $5/week.
On-line allowance works for our family (and it's one more example of how woefully dependent we are on the internet. If there's ever a world-wide web crash, I'm toast.)
*UPDATED* I forgot to mention how we do withdrawals when there is something the kids want to buy. Generally, I just pay for it myself, and then (with them watching) I get on-line and transfer money from their account to mine. Very easy.
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1. The Diaper Diaries (setting a table)
2. Land of Lovings -Finding Money
3. Mandi (Pantry Organization)
4. Alana (Blogger in Draft)
5. MG (Container / Annuals Planting Ideas
6. TongguMomma (Distract Nosy Neighbors)
7. Shirley (How To Turn One Stick Of Butter Into Two)
8. Daiquiri (get picky kids to EAT)
9. Blue Castle (grilling potatoes)
10. Mrs. N (Easy Flossing)
11. Abrianna (Honey)
12. Jes @ Beauty From Chaos (rotating toys)
13. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (Great Story Telling!)
14. Shanda (Dealing with your child\'s anger)
15. Niki (organizing recipes)
16. Becky (Keeping Kids\' Toothbrushes Clean)
17. Mrs Pear (Do what you can, then relax)
18. Digital Key Chains
19. We are THAT family (My Virtual Body)
20. Deb (new JVC camcorder)
21. Tara (Sweeps! for Entering Sweepstakes)
22. Memarie Lane (frugal tips)
23. Phyllis (growing things)
24. Kerri (purse tissues)
25. Elizabeth Sue (Keeping Kids Meds Together)
26. Nerd Family Food(Poppy Seed Dressing)
27. Ahorros y cupones (Baby Time)
28. Domestic Spaz (Secrets to a Happy Marriage)
29. chilihead (canvas art)
30. OrganicMania (Eco-friendlier fast food dining)
31. Nicol (cleaning the bathroom)
32. Nicole @ Life in Progress(Making Phonics Fun)
33. Mamacita (juicing for weight/health)
34. The Apron Queen (Cooking with Margaritas)
35. Sincerely Anna (Daily Routine Poster)
36. jen (old water bottles)
37. BundyMum (Awesome Marriage Tip)
38. IfOnlyIHadSuperPowers (Balance bike)
39. Life At The Circus (keeping the kids entertained)
40. Emily @ Little Home (daily shower cleaner)
41. Making Money Keeping Money(Free Famous Dave\'s)
42. Green Baby Guide (Cooking Dried Beans)
43. Kate @ A Simple Walk (bedtime routines)
44. Lisa-blessedwgrace(lullabies and blankets)
45. Lady Why (The Ultimate Stain Remover!)
46. Lori ~ Simple Life at Home (Mosquito Bite Cure)
47. Carol ~ My Favorite Mascara
48. Christa @ No End in Site (kids activity while you cook)
49. Aussie in America (Family Bank)
50. Alexandra( Big Savings on Contact Lens Solution and Cat Frontline Flea and Tick
51. sara l (dried beans hard water)
52. Smockity Frocks (Best Ironing Board Ever!)
53. Briggie (carpet cleaning tips)
54. Jane @ What About Mom? (Music Soothes the Savage)
55. Mavis (Save on White Erase boards)
56. Many Little Blessings (Using Outgrown Girls Dresses)
57. The Happy Housewife - Pizza
58. Amy @ By His Grace (Making a New Mom Happy)
59. Judy (Fluorescent Lighting)
60. Melanie@build wisely (heel care/kids\' allowance)
61. The Pumkin Patch (Great Smelling House)
62. Activities Coordinator (history motivator)
63. ~Straight Shooter~ (Where\'s the cheapest gas near you?)
64. Jordan @ MamaBlogga (category blog feeds)
65. Lana(Vinegar the best cleaner ever
66. Need A Nap2 (flushable wipes not flushable)
67. Kim - Freezing Chicken Stock
68. Ann Kroeker (Crockpot Stock)
69. Annette @ More Lucy Than June (Cheap/Inexpensive Gifts At the Ready)
70. Mother Hen ( free printer)
71. Heidi (viral negativity)
72. Jen @ Daily Mish Mash (How to keep nail polish looking new)
73. Fiddledeedee (Shopping w/Children - tips & tricks)
74. Thrifty Jinxy (No-Knead Bread)
75. BRC Banter (Be a diva//goodbye tampons)
76. Liza\'s Eyeview (not blogging)
77. Tamara (KIDS SOAP)
78. Luanne (Stop A Cold In Its Tracks!)
79. Mrs Organic (Sensory Garden)
80. Stephanie @ KC Bryans (Mamasource)
81. Garibay Soup (BLOGGY GIVEAWAY!!! & A Nightly Tip that works for my mornings)
82. Tara@Not So Perfect (Laptop- Weight Loss)
83. Every Good and Perfect GIft (Magazine Clutter)
84. Photos
85. Linz (Eczema)
86. Stretch Mark Mama (Getting Kids To Eat Veggies # 5)
87. Forever Daisies - scrap paper storage
88. Cyndy (Everydayness)
89. Joy @ FiveJs ("Build-Your-Own" Math Curriculum)
90. Joy @ Joy Of Desserts (Jams, Curds, Butters, Etc.)
91. Michelle at Scribbit (child activitites)
92. Hestial (carpet stains)
93. Susan(ExerciseDVDRecommendations)
94. Duckabush Blog (Books for Boys)
95. Bonnie @ Simple Beauty (googorganizing)
96. Simple Mom (UnAmerican Way to Keep the House Clean)
97. Lee (everyday messages)
98. karla ~ LTH (setting fitness goals)
99. Amy Halleran (Save $600/Yr on Fresh Produce)
100. Tina in Thailand (refreshing drinks)
101. col @ gigablonde (healing depression :: being with the monster)
102. Mama Bear LOTSA CHILD RELATED
103. Melanie @ One La Costa Mom (Sun safety/Sunscreen)
104. margalit (Terlephone rules for teens)
105. alexsandra(gratitude grows)
106. Kristin @ The Goat (SASE\'s)
107. Amy Beth (The ULTIMATE Baby Shower Gift!)
108. Thinkingchair (fast playdough forest)
109. Mrs. Who (new products)
110. citystreams (flower bouquets)
111. Organising Queen (scheduling blog posts)
112. Mommin\' It Up! (nursing sleep bra)
113. Michelle (Cloth Swim Diapers)
114. jennifer (activity flower for kids)
115. Laura (caring for flowers/plants)
116. Mama Looking Up (happy junk drawer)
117. Kristen (CVS This Week)
118. Candace (entertaining impatient toddler)
119. Hadias (Homemade French Toast Sticks w/pics)
120. Sam(antha) (pencil grip)
121. Hadias (Laundry Tips w/pics)
122. Debbie J (Gift Closet Ideas)
123. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings (frugal sidewalk paint)
124. Joy of Frugal Living (freezing sauce)
125. megret (flirty aprons)
126. *Donielle* (homemade tortillas)
127. The Not Quite Crunchy Parent ( Safest Cookware)
128. Elisa (Angel Food Ministries)
129. Linds @ This Abode (Organizing Mail)
130. Kim Priestap (Daily routine for new puppy)
131. Britni (Homemade Headboard)
132. Bahama Shores Mama
133. warillever (no excuses exercise)
134. emily (favorite cleaning weapon)
135. Christine (naptime book basket)
136. GettysburgMom- Saying Grace
137. Trixie @ Farmhomelife (household economy)
138. Sheila ~ To Love, Honor and Vacuum (cloth menstrual pads)
139. Amy (Scripture memory and giveaway!)
140. Ames (organizing web notes) |
141. Julie Stiles Mills (to work or not to work, that is the question.)
142. The Apron Queen (Extreme Blog Makeover)
143. Jeana (Taming the Big Screen Monster)
144. Juliana Gordon (good free checkbook program)
145. Building the Ark (no more "flying" rolls)
146. Llama Momma (summer cooking tip recipe)
147. Happy Momma (making a bit of money and it isn\'t bloggin!)
148. Happy Mommy (packing for vacation)
149. Monica @ Daily Dwelling (post-it picture paper)
150. Jennifer (learning ABCs)
151. Amy (Donating to charity without trying!)
152. Becca (Clean Your Plate)
153. Christine (the question I finally asked)
154. mom2fur (ABCs of creative blogs)
155. April(dealing with diaper overflow)
156. Tara (easy bed making)
157. Emily (trash trick)
158. fullheartandhands mama (nursing bracelet)
159. Clappy Shoes-Cheap Paint Palette for kids and give-away
160. Lisa (FRUGALITY BLESSES OTHERS)
161. Wade\'s World (Free, Cute, and Easy Blog Banners)
162. Rebekah(My Focus)
163. Kisses of Sunshine: CHEAP Allergy Medicine
164. Milehimama (Dye Free Children\'s Meds)
165. Alissa @ On-Purpose Living (Cloth diapering system)
166. Karen (PYOB or OBP)
167. Dani (REALLYclean white laundry)
168. Sarah@ RealLife (PRAYER works for me!)
169. Full of Boys (Saving on Gifts)
170. Kaye (Spreading out Household Chores)
171. Peggie(email)
172. Gretchen (simplify, laundry, etc.)
173. Minnesota Mama (Potting Plants)
174. *Kristie*
175. Jeni (Toddler Emergency Kit)
176. Tons of Sons ~ helping your kiddos develop their own devotional time
177. S.B. (Adjusting My Frugal Attitutude Often)
178. Passionatehomemaking (buying your food locally)
179. Teresa (stealing ideas)
180. Elena (Potty training tip)
181. Rhen @ YESTHEYAREALLMINE- wood saver
182. Penny Raine (mean on clean)
183. Peggie(king of castle)
184. Vanessa (easy teacher gift)
185. Tanya (kids magazines)
186. Kari @ Just Another Day in Paradise (I love my iMac)
187. Wani (free movies)
188. Miche@Coordinated Chaos(shaving cream fingerpaint)
189. Cherish the Home (*PERFECT* Hard Boiled Eggs)
190. Hope (Enjoy Everyday Life)
191. Jessica (Kids Cups)
192. Amy @ Because I Must... (Works for this Creative Mom)
193. New Diva (Summer Yumminess)
194. Nichole @ A Call to Higher Places (Giving Military Expired Coupons)
195. Smellyann (send yourself flowers)
196. Jen Zug (babysitting co-op)
197. Jen @ All Things Frugal (Fried Strawberry Pies)
198. Aubrey (easy dinner)
199. Robin @ Heart of Wisdom (TOO MUCH STUFF!)
200. The Family CEO (Almost as Easy as Drive Thru: Taco Bar)
201. Laura@Storytellin\'Mama(Expert Husband)
202. Suzanne :: Adventures in Daily Living :: 8 Educational Podcasts
203. Tips & Treasures (Coupon Trains)
204. De\'Etta (journals)
205. Psalm 118:24 (Bagel Holder)
206. a dash of sassitude (potty training)
207. candace@ a garden of blessings (create a custom blog signature)
208. Kristine (how to get toothpaste off your wall)
209. April
210. Homemaker\'s Cottage- Keeping Cloth Diapers Convenient!
211. homemade acne wipes
212. Motherhood and Potatoes (Waterproof Bibs)
213. Jennie - First time! (Hide your Homeschool)
214. Lora (Office Envelope For Kids)
215. Rachel (Using Whole Chickens)
216. Amazing Bean Soup (WorldsGreatestMommy)
217. Kirstin: wake up helper
218. The Family CEO (Snowflake your way out of debt)
219. Kirsty @ Momedy (painless single sock reunions)
220. Joanna @ OneKrustyMama
221. *EDITED* Kristine - How to get CRAYON off your wall
222. MamaBird (container garden drainage)
223. Franticallysimple (keep hair from tangling in goggles)
224. Julie (Paperback Swap-A Book Lover\'s DREAM!
225. Liisa (Small Blankies)
226. Runningamuck (Feeling on vacation while on vacation)
227. Tanna (video subscription)
228. Nichole @ A Call to Higher Places (Free Freeze at TACO BELL!!!)
229. Mom of 11 (Prevent Mom Burnout!!!)
230. 3cookieday (thawing beef/nap cover noise)
231. Sherida (Infant Bathing)
232. Summer (Tips for Weaning)
233. Untraditional Home (baking soda/vinegar shampoo recipe)
234. AreWeThereYetMom(uses for toothpaste)
235. Katie (make a difference)
236. Plastic Daffodils (Chocolate and Bacon)
237. Allie (Dog Tummy Remedy)
238. Hotomom
239. Amy@sonshinecottage(fiber for toddlers)
240. Erica Burgan (soap nuts)
241. Kimi @ The Nourishing Gourmet- Yummy Fruit smoothie recipe
242. The Thrifty Blogger (DIY hair dye tip)
243. Susan
244. Mrs. K (Family Closet)
245. Jennifer (awesome quinoa recipe)
246. Kari (cure for dry skin)
247. Lori (homemade break apart cookies)
248. Elizabeth (Bathroom Organization)
249. Amyswandering (lots of printable chore charts)
250. Char @ DigiScrapChat (MyPicTales and Giveaway)
251. StartingtoSave(My Timer)
252. Seasonal Learner (Good Pediatrician)
253. Mom to 2 boys (Library)
254. Michelle (Photo Editing)
255. Melinda (Book Lover)
256. mzzterry(trunk storage)
257. MrsScotsman (Constipation)
258. Nash
259. Suzanne@AdventuresinTeething (Easy, painless weight loss)
260. Lalena@Finding Freedom (Conquer the Clutter - Mama Clothes)
261. Adena (perfect cake slices)
262. Amy (Spinach Sweet Bread)
263. sandwiched (Never buy Uncrustables Again)
264. Free 2 Be Frugal (butter wrappers)
265. Melinda@ShoresEnd
266. Loral (goto recipe)
267. Alyssa @ Keeping the Kingdom First (Tracking your FREEbies)
268. LaDonna (momma\'s broken toe)
269. April (young kids and chores) *link to actual post
270. Anna (Make Extra Money)
271. Jamie (Park Schedule)
272. All Things Cherished
273. aunt mommy (saving time with subscribe and save)
274. Sarah Mae (Putting my kiddos to bed EARLY)
275. Abby (Books on cd/tape)
276. Lisa - Stop and Smell the Chocolates
277. Capturing Today (Streamline Sheets)
278. Janelle (school uniforms cheap)
279. Jill
280. Stephanie (smoothies) |
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