Should kids get an allowance? Pros and cons

Modak
December 31, 2024

Main takeaways

💰 Allowances teach saving, budgeting, and valuing hard work.

⚖️ Allowances can foster independence, but without guidance, they may lead to poor money habits.

💡 Tying allowances to chores can teach kids that money is earned, not given.

Giving kids an allowance is a topic that many parents consider carefully. On one hand, it’s a great way to teach responsibility and financial skills. On the other hand, some parents worry about potential issues like entitlement or overspending.  So, what’s the right approach for your family? Whether or not to give kids an allowance depends on your family’s goals, values, and financial situation. 

In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of kids’ allowances to help you make an informed decision for your family. Stick around, and we’ll also share how tools like Modak simplify allowance management while teaching valuable financial habits.

The pros of giving kids an allowance

Allowances can be more than just pocket money—they’re an opportunity to teach life skills and instill values. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Teaches financial responsibility

An allowance gives kids a practical way to learn about money management especially when combined with guidance from parents. Whether it’s budgeting for a toy or saving for a big purchase, kids start to understand the importance of spending wisely.

2. Encourages saving habits

By setting aside part of their allowance for savings, kids learn the value of delayed gratification. Apps like Modak Makers make this easy by allowing kids to set savings goals5 and track progress visually.

3. Rewards for effort and hard work

When tied to chores or responsibilities, allowances can teach kids that money is earned, not given. With the right guidance, this fosters a strong work ethic and appreciation for the value of effort.

4. Promotes independence

Having their own money gives kids a sense of independence. They learn to make decisions and take ownership of their financial choices—important skills for adulthood.

5. Provides real-world experience

An allowance introduces kids to the concept of money in a controlled environment, helping them practice financial decision-making before they face real-world challenges.

Kid just received his allowance

The cons of giving kids an allowance

While allowances have many benefits, they’re not without potential downsides. Here are some challenges to consider:

1. Risk of entitlement

If not managed carefully, some kids might develop a sense of entitlement, expecting money without earning it.  To avoid this, it’s important to tie the allowance to chores or specific responsibilities, reinforcing the connection between effort and reward.

2. Poor money management habits

Some kids may overspend or fail to save, which can lead to poor financial habits. The key is ongoing guidance and teaching the importance of budgeting and saving. 

3. Potential for misuse

There’s a chance that kids might spend their money on unhealthy or age-inappropriate items. However, with guidance and the right tools, parents can help direct spending in a positive direction. Apps like Modak allow parents to track spending and set limits to ensure responsible use of the allowance. 

4. Parental oversight required

Managing an allowance system does require effort from parents, such as tracking chores and ensuring allowances are paid regularly. However, with the help of digital tools like Modak, this process becomes more streamlined, saving time and reducing effort. 

Manage chores and allowances with Modak

📲 Track chores and automate allowance payments seamlessly with Modak.

💡 Set savings goals and teach kids to manage their allowance responsibly.

🏆 Motivate kids with MBX rewards for completing daily and weekly challenges.

How Modak simplifies allowance management

If you decide to give your kids an allowance, Modak can help you make the most of it.

Customizable chore and allowancesSystem

With Modak, parents can:

  • Assign specific chores with deadlines and rewards.
  • Pay allowances directly through the app, using funding methods like debit cards, credit cards, or Apple Pay.
  • Track completed tasks efficiently through the app, with updates on progress that help parents stay informed. 

Modak is a tool for parents seeking a convenient way to manage kids’ chores and allowances, with features that streamline task tracking and payment. 

Mum and child spending time with their phones together

MBX points: teaching through gamification

Modak goes beyond cash allowances with its in-app rewards system, MBX points2, which kids can earn by:

  • Completing surveys and scratching cards.
  • Walking 5,000 steps daily with the Walk to Earn feature (up to 70 MBX per week)3.
  • Taking on daily and weekly challenges that teach financial habits.

MBX points can be converted into dollars, helping kids learn the value of effort and financial planning2.

Financial education made easy

With Modak, kids can set savings goals, track spending, and even manage their own transactions, all under parental supervision. This gives them hands-on experience with money management while ensuring safety and accountability.

Frequently asked questions about kids’ allowances

Are kids supposed to get an allowance?

There’s no right or wrong answer—it depends on your family’s values financial goals, and approach to teaching responsibility. Some parents may find allowances to be a helpful tool for teaching financial skills, while others may prefer alternative methods. 

Why is it important to get an allowance?

Allowances provide kids with a practical way to learn money management, build savings habits, and understand the value of effort, especially when paired with parental guidance and oversight

Why should my parents give me an allowance?

If you’re a kid reading this, here’s why you might want an allowance:

  • It gives you the independence to make your own financial decisions.
  • You can save for things you want.
  • You’ll learn valuable skills that will help you later in life like budgeting and saving

Should kids be allowed to spend their own money?

Yes, within reason. Allowing kids to spend their own money teaches accountability and decision-making. However, parental guidance is important to ensure they make responsible choices and set limits on certain purchases.

Should kids get an allowance?

The decision to give kids an allowance ultimately comes down to your parenting style and goals. If you aim to teach financial responsibility, reward hard work, and foster independence, an allowance can be a valuable tool.

However, it’s essential to set clear guidelines and provide the tools your child needs to manage their money responsibly. Apps like Modak Makers can help you manage allowances effectively while teaching essential financial skills.

Why Modak is the best choice for allowance management

With Modak Makers, you’re not just giving your child an allowance—you’re giving them a financial education.

Key benefits of modak:

  • Chore tracking: Parents can set up custom chores within the app, complete with due dates and the ability to make them recurring. Once kids mark a chore as completed, they can instantly earn money. This system teaches responsibility and work ethic while allowing parents to stay involved. 
  • Allowance payments: Allowances can be paid directly into the Modak account via a debit or credit card, Apple Pay, or bank transfer. There’s no need for cash or checks, making it easier for both parents and kids. Plus, once the allowance is in the Modak account, kids can use their physical or virtual card to spend, saving, or transfer money directly in-app.
  • MBX rewards: Modak’s in-app reward system, MBX, is a fun and motivating way for kids to earn money through activities like walking, completing daily challenges, or hitting specific financial goals. For example, kids can earn up to 10 MBX a day just by walking 5,000 steps(2)(3)! These points can be converted to real USD and spent via the Modak Visa® Debit Card. 
  • Savings tools: Modak makes saving money simple and fun. Kids and teens can set up customized savings goals within the app, whether it's for something big like a game console or a trip, or smaller goals like a new pair of shoes. Parents can contribute, helping teach the value of saving together5.

In short, Modak isn’t just an allowance tracker; it’s a full financial toolkit that helps kids learn, save, and spend wisely, all within a safe and supportive app. It turns allowance management into a learning experience that benefits the whole family. Ready to get started? Download Modak today and give your child the financial foundation they deserve!

  1. Checking account and the Modak Visa® debit card issued by Lewis & Clark Bank, Member FDIC. Funds deposited into checking account may be eligible for up to $250,000 of FDIC insurance. The FDIC’s deposit insurance coverage only protects against the failure of an FDIC-insured depository institution.
  2. 100 MBX = $1 (as of June 2024). This is an approximation and not a guaranteed result. For more information on MBX, visit: Click here for more information on MBX
  3. Walking 5,000 steps a day gives users 10MBX (as of June 2024). This is subject to change at Modak’s discretion
  4. Fees for expedited or premium services may apply. Find out more in our Cardholder agreement.
  5. The savings goals feature is intended to assist you in planning and tracking your savings progress. It does not imply or guarantee any interest earnings.

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