Today was allowance day in our household.  It was supposed to be yesterday, on payday, but I never have cash in my wallet.

We have gone back and forth between how much, or even if, we should give to our children.   We have come up with a solution that works for our family.   Our children have chores because they are a member of our household.  But, because they are a member of our household they also receive and allowance based on their age. 

Since the older ones end up having more responsibilities, we did not feel that it was fair that the little ones received the same amount, so we came up with the age scale.  They get one dollar for however old they are on honey’s two pay periods per month to spend however they please…with one exception….they must give some (we teach 10%) back to the LORD. 

This has greatly reduced the “can you buy me…” questions when we are in the store.  They have to really want something, and be willing to spend their own money on it.  They are learning the value of the dollar and that an impulse buy can determine whether they have to wait an extra two weeks to get a bigger purchase.  At times they pool their money to buy a video game.  But most times they save it and watch the sum grow larger in their wallets.  And of course, they look forward to their “raise” each year on their birthday! 

Now, this has been revised at times based on our family dynamics.  For instance, when we had season tickets to the amusement park and made a trip down there weekly, they did not receive their allowances.  We were spending way more than their allotment each week to justify giving them more.    

I guess I had this on my mind today because Bubba just bought a new electric guitar yesterday.  He knows how much money he will be receiving next week for his birthday from each of the grandparents and from us.  However, he spent a little over and will still owe us money, so today he didn’t receive his $11.00, but only $1.00 for his tithe.  He doesn't have any "fun money", but he will have that guitar for a long time and the little trinkets he may have thought he wanted (or needed) are not so high on the priority list. 

Is he happy with his purchase? 
Absolutely. 
But we’ll have to ask him again in a few months!