Child's Allowance

I was wondering if any of you give your children an allowance and if so, at what age did you start and how did you determine the amount?

My son is 4 and is driving me mad in the shops!   So, I thought about starting an allowance to help teach the value of money.  Maybe I'm crazy as I know he's young, but thought this might help.

Thanks.

I think I got a dollar for each year, but half of that had to go to savings. 

My two who are 6 yrs old and 8 yrs old have a list of chores on the fridge which must be carried out by them each week in order to get their weekly allowance. This ranges from making sure to fill up the kitty bowl with water every day to keeping their toys and room tidy. They are currently on £3 a week and the younger one she saves like mad (she recently took us to the kids Saturday morning movie. It only cost a £1 each for a family of four and she bought us popcorn )whereas the 8 yr old likes to spend his money.   I'm sure we will increase it eventually but they have enough to to buy a magazine with their ''own'' money and it keeps them happy and they don't mind having chores.

I do think it's going to depend on your child if you think he will be able to understand he only has so much money to spend and not what he wants you to buy him. However we started our list when our dd was four too. Either way good luck!