I’m new to Prosperity4Kids, and my biggest challenge has been trying to get my kids to WANT to EARN the money they get.
They want us to hand them money for every little thing, or just buy every little thing for them.

I’ve tried showing them how much more they would appreciate something when they’ve worked hard to earn it, but the message just doesn’t seem to be getting through.

I feel your pain, been there done that! Showing or telling children they will appreciate something
when they worked hard to earn it does not register like we think it will.
This is something they have to experience.

• - No more mista nice guy,…you have to lay down some ground rules for you and for the kids.
• - Or you will be paying a dear price in the future!
• - Before you sit with your kids you must figure out how much you are spending or handing over on a monthly basis.
• - Think about everything that you are purchasing that they do not need to    survive.
• - Extra clothing, food with friends, games, toys, outings, movies, and the list can  go on and on.
• - It does not matter if it‘s $20 or $200. What matters is that you know what you are spending and you pass the buck so they start earning the money you used to hand over.
• - Then… they spend their earned money to buy what they want.

Kids are extremely smart!

A recent survey shows that 80% of parents hand over money when children ask for it!  Giving in!

And this is above their regular allowance. Even worse, reports of data over the past 50 years, shows that giving children an unconditional allowance is proving to be harmful and creating kids who do not value money and are slackers!  Welfare kids!

Kids are very smart, and natural born askers. So parents need to be able to encourage asking, but teach lessons at the same time.

Most children do not equate that money comes from earning… this is something that we must teach.

Money is earned through ideas, a job, a career, investing, saving, selling, recycling, business, talents, writing, and the list goes on and on.

One of the most important concepts that relate to earning is a work ethic.
Allowing your kids to earn teaches children how to develop a work ethic.

When they have to spend their money… they DO NOT like it… this alone will curb their spending.

Children will NEVER spend their money like they will their parents.

Also you must allow them to earn enough to save, invest and give using the 10/10/10/ 70 concepts.
If your child is a saver this will be easy, if your child is a spender like my son.
Then most likely you will only give him or her their spending money.

Bank the rest for them until they are willing to do it on their own.
But always show them that you are putting that money away into their savings.

Put your kids to work!

Decide on the jobs, tasks or chores that your child is NOT doing and start with that.
Don’t bombard them with a ton of jobs, or a ton of money. Start out small and build upon it.

My son stopped cleaning his room and picking up his stuff around the house.
So our deal was, If he wanted the $20 for the weekend movie, dinner night, and so on.
Then he had to keep his room clean and pick up his stuff. $20 is not a lot for a teenager; and he is very selective with how he spends it.

If he needs more money than he knows he will have to do more to earn it.
Sometimes it’s washing my car for $20, but he has to do a better job than the car wash.

(Obviously there are things they must do as being part of the family, these are non-negotiable and are are done with out pay!)

Once you have figured this out, then you are ready to move on to the TALK!

Rule #1 Hey kids; mom has a new game for you… its called EARNING.
I am going to create a list of things that I will need you to do for me in order to receive $______.
This amount of money is then to be used for ______________ (movies, dinner with friends, mall trips, etc.)
I will take care of your basic needs like food, a roof over your head and clothing and an education but none of this in excess.

You are mature enough to start earning your own money,
which you will then use to buy the things that I used to buy for you.

If you decide not to do what is asked of you, then you don’t earn the money.
It’s your choice. But there will be NO payday advances and you will have to go without.

Agreed? The child needs to agree to do what is asked and must have a list that is taped in their room,
or you can use our handy dandy FREE allowance app (coming soon) or our allowance chart.

Then you must FOLLOW THROUGH!!!! If you don’t your child knows you are a push over.

There is no yelling, or screaming, you guys made a deal, both parties agreed and the rules were set.
So there is no arguing, they will have to go without, and most likely not do it again.

I’m a parent and I know how hard it is, but it’s a value you must instill as early and as often as you can.
Cause and effect, everything in life has it. Consequences good or bad happen with everything in life.

• Remember you are teaching several lessons…
• The concept that money is earned… not given.
• Responsibility, we must all be responsible for our own behavior.
• Accountability, follow through with what you say you will do.
• The value of money, children will value their own earned income.

Life will give you what you give it, if you give nothing you will get nothing.

I tell my kids often that average is a dime a dozen, but if they want to have all that is available then they have to be willing to do more than average.
They have to be willing to do what others will not, and follow the path less traveled.

Above all they must enjoy the journey, because the end is forever changing.