Instant Gratification Chore Charts Saved My Sanity

Early last summer I was frustrated. Really frustrated. The kids each had a list of chores but they were so unmotivated to get them done. I was sick and tired of reminding them to do their chores. I needed a chore chart solution that made the kids responsible.

I realized that waiting to get paid for chores at the end of the week or end of the month wasn’t working for my boys. Often times we would forget to pay them, or they couldn’t remember if they did their chores in order to get paid, etc….It was just all too much to keep track of.

I needed a system that worked.

This Instant Gratification Chore Chart saved my Sanity!

I created this little Instant Gratification Chore Chart folder system that allowed my kids to get paid every single day.

First, let me share a few things about our philosophy on an allowance in our house:

• Monday- Friday our kids get $1/day if their chores are done . They definitely have plenty of things to do to earn their $1.
• On Saturdays, they have completely different chores than weekday chores and they do NOT get paid for these chores. These are typically chores that are centered more around general house cleaning (such as vacuuming, dusting, sweeping the garage, etc.). They do not earn money for these chores because these are things that are expected to be done as a member of our household to contribute to the betterment of our home.
• On Sundays, no chores are done…simply a day of rest!

Here’s my little homemade solution. On a bulletin board in our mudroom, each child has a folder with their name on the front or an envelope that is attached to the folder:

On the inside of each folder is a list of the weeks chores AND the pay they can earn for doing them!

Everyday the kids know what is expected of them. I don’t have to remind them. There is a checkbox next to each item on the list. When all chores are completed the kids come and tell me that they are done, and I in turn can do a quick run through to make sure everything was done correctly. They then MOVE their $1 to the envelope on the front of their folder. If for some reason, all the chores are not completed for the day, the kids simply don’t get their money.  It’s a simple black and white situation. Daily, they make the choice.

Every two weeks (we do this every 2 weeks because it’s easy for the kids to easily figure out percentages when they typically earn all $10) the kids can take their money out of the envelope and divide it up into different envelopes  that  are designated “tithe”, “save” and “spend” according to our agreed upon amounts:

• 10% Tithe
• 40% Save
• 50% Spend

Are you willing to give it a try in your house? You can have these chore charts created in no time!

Here’s your supply list:

• 1 folder for each child in your house
• 1 envelope for each child
• printable chore list (I have a template for you -you can download it below. Simply fill in the chores you want your kids to do.)
• tape
• scissors
• stapler

Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. First, from the bottom of the folder, measure up 7 inches. Draw a line and then cut off the top of the folder at the 7″ mark.

2. Second, cut off the top flap of your envelope.

3. Next, write your child’s name on the envelope OR let them take ownership and decorate their envelope for you! Then tape this to the FRONT of the folder.

4. Download the chore chart. You can get instant access to the download by filling out this form:

{Below are some examples of things I have my kids do. But of course you will need to create age-appropriate chores.}. Print the chore chart 12 times (this will give you 3 months worth of chores).

5. Cut out each day’s chores,  stack all 12 weeks worth and  STAPLE them to the inside of the folder.

6. Finally, fill the folder with cash and pin to your bulletin board.

What have I learned from this Chore Chart System?

•  We need to budget for this monthly and by doing that I need to make sure I have cash on hand every week to fill their charts. I typically get cash out of the bank once a month and ask for all single dollar bills.
• It’s important to do a thorough check of the chores at random times. Kids are kids and there are days they say they are done, but the job is not done well. I make the kids re-do. This teaches them to put forth their best effort and to do things right the first time.
• We go lighter on chores during the school year, heavier in the summer. My kids are now teens and pre-teens. The school year is busy and there are days they are barely home, which means they might have to skip their chores. They get that they don’t get paid for them, and they are ok with it, but I also try to make the list more manageable during the school year.
• I rotate chores between the kids about every 10-12 weeks. They get tired of doing the same thing, so it’s good to rotate and give them a fresh list every season.

Here are some summer chore ideas that my kids do:

• make bed
• pick up room
• feed  & water dog
• walk dog
• pick up dog poop
• water flowers
• fill bird bath
• sweep the hardwood floors
• dust bedroom
• vacuum bedroom
• clean toilets
• clean sinks/mirrors
• sweep garage
• empty dishwasher
• mow grass
• empty the dehumidifier
• read (I add this to their chore list so they don’t forget to do it daily)

We needed a system. Something that would hold my kids accountable without me constantly nagging at them. This Instant Gratification Chore Chart  has worked beautifully for our kids. They can see their progress throughout the week and know that there is cash, in an envelope, waiting for them on pay day. It has provided balance and taught responsibility. It’s a solution that works great with our kids.

Looking for age appropriate chores for your kids?

I created a printable Age Appropriate Chores List that you can implement when creating your chore chart!