Pocket money by age — an honest guide for parents

Many parents wrestle with the same question: how much pocket money should you actually give your kid? And from what age? Should you pay extra for chores? What if your kid spends it all at once?

This isn't science — but there are patterns that work. Here they are.

How much pocket money per age (typical European averages)

Most families use roughly these amounts (based on national household-budget guidance, rounded to kid-friendly numbers):

Age	Per week	Per month	What they learn
5 years	€1	€4	Recognising coins, simple saving
6 years	€1.50	€6	Buying something small, choosing
7 years	€2	€8	Introducing Save · Spend · Share jars
8 years	€3	€12	First medium goals (Lego, book)
9 years	€4	€16	Difference between need and want
10 years	€5	€20	First bank account, first app experience
11 years	€6	€24	Managing snack money themselves
12 years	€8	€32	Bigger goals, planning ahead
13–15 years	€10–€15	€40–€60	Expanding their own responsibility
16+ years	€20+	€80+	Often combined with a side job

Tip from the calculator: open our pocket-money calculator to quickly find your exact amount, including the 33/33/33 split and what €5/week becomes over 10 years.

Count chores in or not?

Schools of thought are split here. There are two approaches:

Option A — Pocket money is for ME, chores are for US. You get pocket money because you're part of the family (not as a reward). You do chores because the family works together. Upside: no "pay me first" culture around household tasks.

Option B — Pocket money + bonus for extra chores. Standard pocket money + extra €1-€2 for specific bigger tasks (mowing the lawn, washing the car). Upside: kids learn that extra work = extra money.

Both work. We recommend Option A, with Option B as a side-gig add-on (not a replacement).

The Save · Spend · Share rule: 33/33/33

For every euro they get:

• €0.33 → SAVE (a big goal)
• €0.33 → SPEND (snacks, small things, fun)
• €0.33 → SHARE (a gift for someone, charity, or family saving)

Many families see that kids who follow this rule become calmer about money. No more "all-on-candy" panic. No guilt about spending.

Try the Save · Spend · Share game with your kid. Takes 2 minutes and sticks.

A few patience tips

1. Give it on a fixed day. Saturday morning works for many families. Predictability > flexibility at this age.
2. Save first, then spend. Let the savings portion go aside straight away, not "whatever's left on Friday".
3. Let them make mistakes. If they spend everything on snacks and have nothing next week — let it happen. That's cheap schooling.
4. Talk without judgment. Ask: "What would you do differently next week?" — no lecture.

When do you increase it?

Two triggers:

• Birthday — an annual review fits naturally
• New responsibility — own phone, own transport, snacks for outings

What if your kid spends it all immediately?

That's part of it. Up to around age 9-10, impulse spending is normal. They learn by experiencing.

Try the "Can I Afford This?" tool together for a week — Penny asks three questions before they buy something. After 3-4 times, it becomes a habit.

Ready to start?

1. Set your starting amount with the pocket-money calculator
2. Pick one savings goal with the Goal Planner
3. Discuss the 33/33/33 rule with your kid over the next dinner

Start small, stay consistent. That's the whole formula.