Back to School: Chore Chart

My husband and I had the opportunity to facilitate Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University at our church last spring.  We were familiar with Dave's views and had practiced most of them, even though we had not previously been through the course.  One of his principles that we really liked was putting kids on commission to earn their allowance.  This means that they only get paid for what they do (just like in a real job).  Then, when they are paid, the money is divided between offering, savings, and spending (just like in real life).  Before, we had not really given the kids an allowance.  We would give them their offering money, and they always saved money from birthdays or Christmas to buy things they wanted.  We felt that putting them on commission with their chores was a great way for them to earn money and a great opportunity to teach them how to manage money.  Thus, the chore chart was born.  It has evolved greatly since we started it.  I have tried every printable and homemade chore chart known to man, but they were always flawed in some way or another.  I have been thinking about this for awhile, and I decided to develop something a little different. 

This is Trey's chart.  Since he is nine, he has a few more chores, and they are more advanced. 



This is Anna Caroline's chart.  She is 6, and these are all chores that she can do independently.



This is Elizabeth's chart.  She is 3, so she will be helping Anna Caroline with some of her chores. 



The inside of each chore card has the date for each week listed on the side, and the days of the week are listed across the top.  If the chore is done, we will mark a +.  If it is not, it will be marked with a -.  They will only get paid for the chores that are marked with a +.  These cards will take us through the last week in November.

What you need to make the chore chart:

Laminated or embroidery paper (I had never heard of embroidery paper until I was at Hobby Lobby the other day.  It was on clearance.  It has a vinyl feel to it, and it is really cute!)

Mini gift cards (the kind that fold over, which can also be found at Hobby Lobby in the card making department)

Pen
Tape
Ruler

Write chores on the front of each card.  Open the card and write M, T, W, etc. at the top for days of the week.  Write th date of each week on the left side of the card.  Draw grid lines on each card to mark + or -.  The only problem with this is that you will need to make a new chart in a few months.  This may not be such a bad thing, though.  Chores may need to be added or taken away or revamped.  Tape each card to the paper.

Place the chore chart in a central location (we use the kitchen), and mark the charts daily.  You will have to figure out how much per week you want to give each child and assign a value to each chore per day.  We have payday on Fridays, and I have an offering, save, and spend envelope for each child.  We go through their chores and talk about what they did, or any improvements that could be made.  Money is put into the proper envelope.  Offering money goes to church on Sunday morning, save money goes to the bank, and spend money is theirs to spend or to save up for something big.  It has really helped teach my kids about working to earn money and giving of their own money.

I have heard many people say, "I don't think that kids should be paid to do chores."  I would agree with that to an extent, but wouldn't you rather have them earn the money than just give it to them?  Also, this chore chart is not all inclusive.  They will have to do some things just because they are asked.  We teach service around here, too!  Other principles that this chart teaches are independence and responsibility.  My kids know their chores or can read them.  I do not remind the older kids to do their chores.  If they do not get done, they do not get paid.  This is their job, and they are expected to do it without reminders.  This makes my life a little easier, too!  My kids (and most kids) love having something that is theirs.  It gives them a sense of ownership, and they are likely to take more pride in it.  The lessons to be learned are endless and invaluable!