How much did you get for an allowance? - Page 4

ciao_bella · ‎03-13-2010

My sister, brother and I never got an allowance growing up, but if we needed something (not frivolous) she would buy it for us. We were expected to do chores around the house and did them without being told or reminded. When I was about 10 years old, I used our lawn mower to cut the neighbor's lawn and she would pay me. I used the money to buy some extra things for school or saved it to buy some small Christmas gifts. When I was about 13 or 14, I started to babysit for several families in the neighborhood. Got my first 'real' job in the summer months at 17 at Mattel Toy Company, that just had opened in our area, and was assigned to the 'glue machine'. The glue machine would glue the labels on the boxes to show what toy was enclosed. lol Left that first job in September of that same year to start college.

Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life!

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

.50. don't think I had many duties.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

We were expected to keep our rooms straight, make our beds daily, and follow through on any assigned jobs just because that's how it was. My dad was a businessman and handled the finances in our home, and taught me the basic principles of handling money throughout my growing years. I received $5.00 per week for allowance, starting around 8 or 9 yrs. old. I had to reserve some of it for the Sunday School offering, save some for long term and short term purchases, and the rest was for whatever.

I have a very clear memory of my first "big" purchase. I saw an ad for a Kodak Hawkeye Instamatic camera. It was teal and silver. I even remember the film size (CX-126). The cost was $6 + the proof of purchase seal clipped from the canister of Nestle's Quik. Every Saturday Dad would give me my allowance, five singles, and I would immediately give him $1.00 back. He acted as my savings bank and kept my savings in a bank envelope. After six weeks, I was able to send away for the camera.

Stray · ‎04-20-2013

I received $2 a week when I was younger & helped around the house. I was very young when I went to nursing school at age 16. I was living with my father after my parent’s divorce. I had my own charge account for clothing but always asked permission before I made a purchase. I got $25 per week when in school which was sufficient as I got food at school & school was 10 blocks from my house so I often ate at home. After, nursing school, still in my late teens, I worked.

Enufstuff · ‎03-12-2010

@Desertdi Wow! I am so sorry that your mother did that to you. Especially after you had so carefully saved it for all those years.

I raised five children and I never would have thought of taking anything that was theirs.

When they received money as gifts for birthdays or Christmas, they were allowed to buy what they wanted. They each had a ceramic bank and could save for something special, if they chose to. One daughter saved her money and bought a bicycle when she was twelve. She was the only one of my daughters who saved and bought her first car when she was seventeen.

With five children, we didn't have a lot of money for extras, but I dressed them well and they always had what they needed. They got the toys and clothes that they wanted for Christmas and birthdays. They had their dance classes and day camp in the summer. The boys had their sports. We took them on vacations.

I remember one Christmas at my grandmother's, with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins. My children received money from their grandmother, as their gift. Her intention was to let them buy something that they wanted.

One aunt who never had children, said "Don't let them spend it, they should put it in the bank." I told her that it was their gift and they could save it or spend it as they wished.

All five of them, grew up, bought their own cars and four have bought houses.

KathyM23 · ‎11-20-2010

@J Town Girl My Dad said the same thing. I wanted to get a job the "5 & 10 store (speaking of Old Fashioned Words topic} or the soda fountain at the pharmacy, etc when I was in high school, but my Dad said "No, be a kid while you're a kid, you have the rest of your life to work.

Regarding chores, I didn't really do any. Mom tried to teach me but even at the young age, I had no interest in cooking or cleaning (house work it was called) Dad said you have to learn how to do these things and I replied, no I don't Daddy, when I grow up I'm going to be rich and have a maid. He laughed and that was the end of "house work" for me.

My Dad had a hard life growing up and wanted a good one for me and my brother.

Of course I did not grow up to be rich, but I hate "house work" and since I had a job outside the home, I paid a woman to clean my house and DH cooks or we eat out.