Quick Answer
The most common guideline: $0.50 to $1 per year of age, per week. So a 10-year-old would get $5-$10 weekly. But the "right" amount depends on your cost of living, what expenses you expect them to cover, and family values.
Recommended Allowance by Age
These ranges are based on surveys and financial education research. Your area's cost of living and what expenses kids cover will affect the right amount for your family.
| Age | Low End | Middle | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-5 | $1-2 | $3-4 | $5 |
| 6-7 | $3-4 | $5-6 | $7 |
| 8-9 | $5-6 | $7-8 | $9-10 |
| 10-11 | $7-8 | $9-10 | $12-15 |
| 12-13 | $10-12 | $15-20 | $25+ |
| 14-15 | $15-20 | $25-35 | $50+ |
| 16-17 | $25-35 | $50-75 | $100+ |
* Amounts shown are weekly for ages 4-15, monthly for ages 16-17
When to Start Allowance
Most experts recommend starting around age 5-6, when children can:
- Count money and understand basic values
- Grasp the concept of saving vs. spending
- Understand "if you spend it, it's gone"
- Make simple choices between items
Don't wait too long. Kids who don't practice money management until their teens miss years of learning. Starting early with small amounts builds habits gradually.
Allowance + Chores: Three Approaches
Should allowance be tied to chores? Experts disagree. Here are the main approaches:
Unconditional Allowance
Kids receive money regardless of chores. Chores are family responsibilities; money teaches financial skills.
- + Separates money management from behavior
- + No battles over chore completion
- + Consistent for budgeting practice
- - Misses work-earning connection
- - May feel like entitlement
- - No natural consequence for skipped chores
Families who want to teach money management separately from responsibility
Commission-Based
Kids earn money per task completed. No work = no pay. Direct connection between effort and income.
- + Teaches real-world work-pay relationship
- + Motivates chore completion
- + Flexible earning potential
- - Kids may only work when they want money
- - Can feel transactional
- - Inconsistent income makes budgeting hard
Older kids, entrepreneurial personalities, teaching work ethic
Hybrid (Recommended)
Base "family chores" are unpaid expectations. Extra "job" tasks earn commission.
- + Teaches both family responsibility AND work-earning
- + Consistent base for budgeting
- + Extra earning opportunity
- - More complex to manage
- - Need to define which chores are which
Most families—balances both values effectively
Making Allowance Work
Be Consistent
Same day, same amount, every week. Inconsistency undermines every lesson you're trying to teach. Set a reminder if needed.
Use the Three-Jar Method
Divide allowance into Save (long-term), Spend (immediate), and Give (charity). Common split: 40% save, 40% spend, 20% give.
Let Them Make Mistakes
If they blow their spending money on candy and can't afford the toy, don't bail them out. The lesson is worth the temporary disappointment.
Increase Responsibility With Amount
As allowance grows, so should what they pay for. Teens with larger allowances should cover their own entertainment, gifts, and clothing.
Review and Adjust Annually
Revisit the amount each birthday. Discuss what's working, what they'll cover, and adjust accordingly.
When to Increase Allowance
Birthday
Annual increase is standard
New responsibilities
Covering more of own expenses
Cost of living changes
Prices go up over time
Demonstrated responsibility
Reward good money management