Allowance for 11, 12 and 13 Year Olds: the numbers
| Age | Half rule ($0.50 per year) | Classic rule ($1 per year) | Classic rule, per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | $5.50 a week | $11 a week | about $48 a month |
| 12 | $6.00 a week | $12 a week | about $52 a month |
| 13 | $6.50 a week | $13 a week | about $56 a month |
What the allowance can cover at this age
- Snacks, outings and movies with friends
- Apps, games and in-game purchases
- Some clothes or accessories beyond the basics
- Gifts for family and friends
Chores that suit this age
- Cook a simple meal once a week
- Clean the bathroom
- Mow the lawn or rake leaves
- Do their own laundry from start to finish
- Babysit a younger sibling for short periods
- Wash the car
Make a printable chart with these chores in the free chore chart maker.
Money lessons for this age
Switch to paying every two weeks or monthly, and agree in writing what the allowance now covers. If they run out early, don't top it up: running short once is a cheap lesson.
Other ages
- Allowance for 5, 6 and 7 Year Olds
- Allowance for 8, 9 and 10 Year Olds
- Allowance for 14, 15, 16 and 17 Year Olds
How much allowance should a child get?
There's no official number, but the most common rule of thumb is $1 a week for every year of age. A 6-year-old gets $6 a week and a 12-year-old gets $12. It's simple, it goes up on every birthday, and children can see the rule is fair between siblings.
It isn't right for every family. Many give half that ($0.50 per year of age), and some give a set amount to every child. What matters more than the amount is what the allowance has to cover. If a 13-year-old buys their own snacks, games and outings, they need more than a child whose parents still pay for those.
Allowance by age
| Age | Half rule ($0.50 per year) | Classic rule ($1 per year) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | $2 a week | $4 a week |
| 6 | $3 a week | $6 a week |
| 8 | $4 a week | $8 a week |
| 10 | $5 a week | $10 a week |
| 12 | $6 a week | $12 a week |
| 14 | $7 a week | $14 a week |
| 16 | $8 a week | $16 a week |
Save, spend and give jars
Splitting each payment into jars turns pocket money into a money lesson. A common split is 40% to save, 50% to spend and 10% to give, but any split works. Younger children do best with real jars they can see filling up. Older children can save toward a goal, like a game or a bike, and see how many weeks it will take.
Should allowance be paid for chores?
Some families pay for every chore, some give allowance with no strings attached, and many do a mix: everyday jobs are expected, and bigger weekly jobs earn the money. If you tie it to chores, enter how many paid chores there are each week and the calculator shows what each one is worth. Our free chore chart maker prints a chart with that amount on it.
Weekly or monthly?
Young children understand weekly money best, because a month is a long time to wait. From around 11 or 12, paying every two weeks or monthly helps them practise making money last, which is a useful habit before their first paycheck.
Questions
How much allowance should a 12-year-old get?
With the $1 per year of age rule, a 12-year-old gets $12 a week, about $52 a month. Many families pay more at this age because the allowance starts to cover things like outings with friends that parents used to pay for.
Should a 13-year-old have a bank account?
Many 12 and 13-year-olds are ready for a savings account or a teen debit card with parental controls. It helps them track spending and see interest, even if it's small.
What is the $1 per year of age rule?
Each week, a child gets one dollar for every year of their age, so the allowance goes up on every birthday. It's a starting point, not a requirement. Many families use 50 cents per year instead.
How should kids split their allowance?
A popular split is 40% save, 50% spend and 10% give, using three jars. Any split works, as long as some goes into savings each time.
Should I pay allowance weekly or monthly?
Weekly works best for young children. From around 11 or 12, paying every two weeks or monthly helps them learn to make money last.
Is this financial advice?
No. These are suggestions to help you plan. Choose the amount that suits your family's budget.
Suggestions to help you plan, not financial advice. Choose the amount that suits your family's budget.