Pocket money

[NotTheOtherMother]

I have dc1 who is just 13 and dc2, 8 and a half.

We've never really done pocket money because we never have any cash anymore and anything they want is (nearly) always bought for them.

However, dc1 is getting their own child version of a bank account and to make it fair, dc2 will get a child's easy access savings account.

So what would you say is a fair amount and frequency for pocket money for both children? Do they get the same each or does the older child get more? Do you link it to chores?

And do you have any limits on spending pocket money? As in, things they are allowed to buy or not. I fear everything I give the oldest will be spent on computer game dlc (or worse... phone game dlc!)

(They both already have secret savings accounts that dh and I have been adding to since they were born. This money can't be touched until they are adults. So the new accounts are just for pocket money spends)

What do you want them to be able to buy?
A weekly magazine, packet of football trading cards, a drink/snack on the way home at school ?
If it’s that type of thing then you need to give enough for that. Probably a tenner will be fine.
If you want them to also be responsible for buying their own toiletries, school stationary, books, bus fares, payment for going to the cinema with friends etc then you need to give more.

Just On the chores thing I would say don't link it. Chores are simply what everyone does as a member of the household.

It's even been proven for adults that a basic income and separate work means people are more motivated. The more directly the money connects to the work, the more it actually kills the motivation. Strange but true. But it makes sense if you go places where people volunteer as they don't need the money.

We have "family jobs" and any toys/presents are granted independently rather than as payment for good behaviour, although we're not at your age yet. (Having said that I'm not t traditional in that I am even uncomfortable with sticker charts, which are pretty mainstream)