Cart
0
Allowance has been a parenting debate for generations—how much to give, when to start, and whether kids should have to work for it or just receive it as a learning tool.
So, we asked Dad Day readers how they handle the money question, and the results are in:
The Breakdown
- 59% – Chore-based earnings
- 21% – "What's allowance?"
- 13% – Digital (kid debit cards)
- 4% – Straight-up cash
- 4% – Other approaches
The big takeaway? Most dads believe kids should work for their money—while others don’t believe in allowance at all.
WORK FOR THAT MONEY
By far, the most popular approach is making kids earn it. Nearly 60% of dads are running their household economy on a work-for-pay system.
💬 "My plan is to post jobs with dollar amounts and they can pick what they want to do to earn money. I don't believe weekly chores like taking out their trash or cleaning their room deserve money, that's just something people need to learn to become adults."
Many dads make a clear distinction between basic responsibilities and extra work—meaning:
✔ Cleaning your room? Expected.
✔ Vacuuming the living room? That's extra.
The message? Some things you do because you’re part of the family. Others earn you cash.
NO HANDOUTS HERE
A solid 21% of dads responded with "What's allowance?"—not because they didn’t understand the question, but because they don’t believe in the concept at all.
💬 "Our girls don't get an allowance. They understand that to make the house run smoothly, they need to help. If their mom and I don't have time because we have to do things around the house, they don't get to do gymnastics or voice lessons or anything else."
This philosophy is simple: kids contribute to the household because that’s part of being a family—not because they get paid.
Dads in this camp tend to believe that allowance creates entitlement, and that kids should learn the value of work through real-world experience, like getting a job when they’re old enough.
THE DIGITAL SHIFT: KID DEBIT CARDS
About 13% of dads are moving beyond cash and embracing kid-focused debit cards and digital payment systems.
Apps like Greenlight, GoHenry, and Step are making it easier for kids to:
✅ Track their savings
✅ Learn how to budget
✅ Practice digital transactions
It’s a modern approach to money management, and let’s be honest—cash is getting phased out. These dads want their kids to learn about money in a way that actually reflects how they'll manage finances as adults.
THE TAKEAWAY: THERE’S NO “RIGHT” WAY
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to allowance—every family handles it differently.
But one thing is clear: today’s dads are thinking intentionally about how money lessons shape their kids’ future.
Some dads pay per chore.
Some dads give a set amount.
Some dads make kids wait for their first job.
At the end of the day, consistency matters more than the specific system.
What’s your take? Is allowance an entitlement, a teaching tool, or something else entirely? Hit reply and let us know what works in your house.
📩 Want more real dad insights like this? Sign up for Dad Day—it’s free. 🚀
