Allowance for a 4 year old?

JOEBunny

I want DD to start being more selective in her wants, so I want to encourage her to do that by giving her an allowance that she can use to buy toys in between her birthday and Christmas. 

I have 4 "chores" she needs to do to get her allowance each week, all directly related to her being a good citizen of our household and all directly related to her.  

How much do you give your kids?  I would like for her to be able to buy something more than junk out of the dollar bins (since I would rather not have that stuff around). 

DandelionMom

When we first started allowance we gave DD 4 quarters.  2 to put in her wallet for spending and 2 to put in her bank for saving.  Now her allowance is based on how much she has in saving (DH figured out a scale). 

AggieCouple

We do give ML an allowance, but they're stickers on a chart, rather than money.  I guess we should switch to money.  We started with stickers because it was easier for her to see and gauge it.  Anyway, she can exchange her stickers for stuff at the store, one sticker per quarter'ish.  She is surprisingly frugal; she must take after H ;o)  What I love most is she often tries to split what she "spends" on two things, one for her, one for TB. 

hikerbeth

We started about a month ago with DD.  She has 3 simple chores per day to complete.  She gets a dime for each one.  There are also 2 dimes up for grabs if she doesn't throw a huge tantrum (we needed some kind of incentive for that).

So max of 50 cents per day.

It's more effective for her to get more coins to put in her piggy bank and get them each day.

It's enough money that she can save up for something "big" in a month or so, but it doesn't break the bank.

Ciarrai

We do "stars" with both the girls (or did before we moved and will again once I get our chart unpacked).  They get a star (or two) for their chores - clearing the table, making their beds, picking up the playroom, setting the table, helping feed the dogs, etc. etc.  One star is worth $0.10.  (They can also lose stars if they have bad behavior and even go negative.)  I figured it was a good way to teach the meaning of money and responsibility all in one swoop.

AggieCouple

Oh, as for rate, she actually gets a sticker if she does things without being asked.  Set the table, make her bed, water her flowers, things I'd like her to get into the habit of doing.  She always gets a sticker, though, when she folds napkins because that is a pretty long chore (she does get to watch TV while she does it though).

jlw2505

My girls are 2 1/2 and 4 years and they get a quarter each.  We have them put it right into their piggy bank for now and at some point, they will get to spend it but honestly ,right now they love that and have not asked to spend it!!  They need to do some basics around the house to earn it - help clear their plates at dinner, clean up their toys, have good listening ears, etc.