Monday, May 04, 2009

Changing up the chore charts again!

The other night I showed Hubby the file I keep of all the past chore charts/cards that we've tried. He was impressed. Honestly, I could probably write a book.

I find that every 6 months or so I have to fiddle with the chore chart system that we're using. Now that my kids are older (10, 13 and 15), we've gone to a money-earning system.

You'll notice that there are a number of important things missing from the pay schedule below. Keeping their room clean, doing homework, helping with the dishwasher -- that's just part of living in our family. They won't get paid for that. I also wanted to reward effort. You work, you get rewarded.

Here's what we're trying:

DAILY JOBS
Bring in the mail $.05
Help make dinner $.50
Weeding, per 15 min. $.25
Write in journal $.25
Read an entire New Era $2.00
Read a Conference talk $.25

WEEKLY JOBS
Empty and re-line a garbage $.10
Bring in garbage/recycle bin $.05/ea

check off when completed

Total Toilet Treatment: $.50
Master
Boy’s
Girls’

Clean Sink and Counter: $.20
Master
Boy’s
Girls’
Laundry room

No-smudge Mirror: $.10
Master sink
Master door
Boy’s
Girls’

Clean with scrubbing bubbles $.50
Master shower
Master tub
Boy’s tub/shower
Girls’ tub/shower

Vacuum one of these areas: $.25
Down.hall & media room
Recreation room
Sewing and piano rooms
Up. TV & Master bedroom

Vacuum Stairs $.75

Super shake-a-rug (outside) $.10
Kitchen sink rug
Rug by cubbies
Front door rug
Both kids’ bathrooms
Master bathroom rug
Outside front porch rug
Rug on garage porch
Back patio rug

Wipe all upstairs windowsills $.50
Wipe all downstairs windowsills $.30
Mow the lawn $3.00
Mow the orchard (ask Dad 1st) $2.00
Super-Sweep the garage $1.00
Wash the outside of car $.75
Wash the outside of truck $.75
Wash car windows in & out $.50
Wash truck windows in & out $.30
Vacuum car interior $.75
Vacuum truck interior $.75


This past week my oldest and youngest each earned $.80. But my middle child earned a whopping $9.00! She's motivated to earn money towards girl's camp.

They pay 10% in tithing and 20% into savings. The rest they can spend.

I think it's important to teach kids how to work, but it's also important to teach them how to manage money. To help teach them about the value of a dollar, we also give them a larger quarterly amount, with the biggest payment coming in August to help cover school clothes. Then, throughout the year they're in charge of budgeting their money to pay for clothes, candy, presents, etc.

This has done wonders for my middle child. Before we tried this system, she'd ask for everything that her heart desired. But once we turned her share of the budget over to her, she began weighing the importance of name brand vs. second hand clothes. It's made her a much more value-oriented shopper.

Lest you think we're making our kids pay for everything, rest assured that we buy all their food, pay for their sports and activities, and even purchase any socks or underwear. (No teen or tween wants to spend hard-earned cash on socks or underwear!)

What works for your family? In another 6 months or so, I'll be fiddling with our system again and would love having your ideas to draw from. Please share!

6 comments:

Suko said...

You're so very organized, and correct:
plans of this sort need changing every so often. And money management may be best learned though actual experience.

Science Teacher Mommy said...

We've already gone to a cash system for our oldest. He is hoarder and it has worked great for him.

To help motivate him with reading, we've also added very nominal rewards to the homework. (A penny per sight word passed off, a nickel for reading each little book correctly a certain number of times, that sort of things.) I'm not a person who will pay for grades, but this little incentive has really helped push him on the homework. He is reading very well now.

Flashlight Girl said...

So great! Funny, I was just talking to a friend this morning about this very subject-- time to revamp the job chart. I always love to see what others include in their "for pay" jobs. Often there are things that I've forgotten or would love to hand over to some one else. And yes, different children are often more motivated than others. :) Good job, Mom!

Allie's Antics said...

Hey
With this economy, I was wondering if I could come work for you:)

CB said...

I love your system because it gives them personal motivation!
No nagging - Love it!

You are so organzied too!

Leslie said...

Ok, I am super behind on my blogging and commenting so here is a late comment...

LOVE THIS! Thank you for the run-through--especially with how much they get per chore. I am definitely going to use this method!