Money Talks: How We Taught Our 7-Year-Old To Budget His Allowance
Kids ask for things. All. The. Time. That’s just part of life as a parent. But around age 7, something shifted in our house—we realized it was the perfect moment to teach our son about budgeting.

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He had his eye on a $40 LEGO set. At the same time, he was getting a weekly allowance of $5. Instead of just saying “yes” or “no,” we decided to try something different. We turned it into a life lesson—one that’s still paying off today.
Here’s how we did it in 5 simple steps (and how you can too):
Step 1: Start With Real Money (Not Virtual)

We gave him physical cash. It’s easier for kids to feel the value of money when they can hold it. He loved seeing those five $1 bills stack up each week.
Step 2: Create Three Jars

We labeled three jars: Spend, Save, and Share.
We kept it simple:
– 60% went into Spend (his fun money)
– 30% into Save (for big goals)
– 10% into Share (for charity or a gift)
This visual method made money feel more organized. Bonus: It gave him a reason to think before spending every dollar.
Step 3: Let Them Make Mistakes

This was tough for me. The first time he blew his “Spend” money on a cheap toy that broke in 10 minutes, I wanted to say, “Told you so.” But I didn’t.
That mini failure? It taught him way more than any lecture.
Step 4: Track Big Goals With a Simple Chart

He drew a goal tracker for the LEGO set, coloring in a little square each time he saved another dollar.
Watching the chart fill up was surprisingly motivating—even more than the toy itself. Plus, it turned saving into a game.
Step 5: Celebrate the Win

When he finally hit $40, we made a big deal of it. We took him to the store, had him pay with his own money, and even snapped a pic with the receipt. He was so proud.
And honestly? We were too.
What We Learned (As Parents)

This whole process reminded us that kids don’t learn budgeting from lectures—they learn it by doing. By feeling. By messing up sometimes and trying again.
Now, at age 8, he still uses the jars. He even talks about “investing” (his words, not mine). It’s wild to watch how fast kids pick things up when we give them the tools.
Want To Try This Yourself? Here Are 3 Quick Tips:
- Start Small – $1 a week is fine for younger kids. It’s not about the amount—it’s about the habit.
- Make It Visual – Use jars, envelopes, or even an old muffin tin. Kids need to see where their money goes.
- Keep It Fun – Let them choose the savings goal. Whether it’s a toy, a trip, or even just a fun snack, make it exciting.
Budgeting isn’t boring. It’s empowering—especially when you start early.

