DD turned 11 this week. One of the gifts she asked for was a pre loaded payment card (fine). I got her one and added £25 as one of her presents.
We’ve never really done pocket money. Probably very foolish but generally she has always had some money for birthdays and Christmas and saved it (in piggy bank) and spent on holidays and toys etc when she wanted to. for a time she got £1 a week (when little) but this stopped in Covid. Since then we have given both of them (we have a younger DC who is 8) £20 a month to have ‘access to’ if they need or want something. This started during Covid when they were part of a study and got paid that amount for each test they did. So basically they’ve had ‘access to’ £20 a month for about 18 months for spending but mostly they haven’t spent it or asked for it. The study has ended now and I’ve held £150 for them both and will most likely add to their savings at some point. They haven’t asked for it because they have everything they need and want… DD1 has no interest in clothes / jewellery etc and has no phone yet nor devices. We have a family iPad she uses a bit. I buy her clothes etc from time to time but she never asks for anything branded etc as she doesn’t care. She only asks for books and Lego at the moment.
I think it’s a good time to start pocket money in exchange for ‘chores’. My younger child is very helpful, proactive and tidy and my older one is certainly not. She is pleasant and nice etc but quite lazy in the home (very active otherwise!).
Does anyone have any advice on good pocket money levels for a 11 year old and an 8 year old to support them doing their bit at home? Ie you don’t tidy your room = no pocket money. DD1 doesn’t ask for money at the moment but I know that’s very likely to change and want to pre-empt it.
DC2 won’t be getting the pre loaded card yet as my older DC has waited a long time for that so I want her to feel it’s special because she is older.