PouchChore pay calculator
Quick answer
Start from what you want to spend in a week, not from a price per chore. List the paid chores, how many times a week each happens and whether it's a small, medium or big job. The calculator splits the budget so bigger jobs pay more and the week comes close to your budget.
Split your budget
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Setting the weekly budget
If you're not sure what the budget should be, the common rule of thumb for allowance is 50 cents to $1 a week per year of age. Some families use that whole amount for chore pay; others pay a base allowance and use a smaller budget for extra jobs. The allowance by age calculator gives the range for your kid's age.
Small, medium or big?
- Small: a minute or two, like feeding the cat or making the bed.
- Medium: 10 to 15 minutes, like emptying all the bins or setting and clearing the table.
- Big: a real job, like vacuuming a room or raking a patch of leaves.
The calculator gives each size a weight of 1, 2 or 3, then rounds every amount to 5 cents (25 cents when the weekly budget is 20 or more) so the numbers are easy to pay in coins.
Pay only for done
Agree on what "done" means for each chore before the week starts. The how to teach kids guides each describe a realistic finish line you can use.
Questions parents ask
How much should I pay per chore?
Work backward from a weekly budget you're comfortable with, then split it by how often and how big each chore is. The calculator does this for you.
Should every chore be paid?
That's a family choice. Some pay for everything, some pay only for extras, and some give a set allowance with unpaid chores. See should allowance be tied to chores.
What if a chore is only half done?
Decide the rule ahead of time. One approach is no pay until it meets the agreed finish line, with one reminder.
Sources
- Acorns, Chores and allowance by age: rule of thumb of 50 cents to $1 per week per year of age
- Wealthsimple, How much allowance by age: rule of thumb of 50 cents to $1 per week per year of age