Screen Time vs Pocket Money

We see them as two separate systems:

• ScreenTickr tasks = responsibilities children should learn to manage as part of daily life

• Pocket money jobs = optional work they choose to do in exchange for money

This keeps things clear.

Children aren’t being paid to brush their teeth or pack their school bag.

But if they want to earn money for something special, there’s a clear way to do that.

Our Rule for Pocket Money Jobs

We based our approach on an idea from The Barefoot Investor for Families.

The guiding question is simple:

“Is this something I would pay someone else to do?”

If the answer is yes, it can go on the pocket money job list.

That means the list usually includes things like:

• Cleaning a room (polishing and vacuuming)

• Taking out the rubbish

• Emptying the dishwasher

• Folding the washing

• Mowing the lawn

• Cleaning the bathroom

• Washing the car

These aren’t daily responsibilities. They’re real jobs that add value to the household.

Unlimited Opportunity to Earn

Instead of setting a fixed allowance, we prefer giving children the opportunity to earn as much as they want — within reason.

If they really want something, they can work toward it.

This removes a lot of arguments about cost or fairness.

It shifts the focus from:

“Will you buy this for me?”

to

“What can I do to earn it?”

That mindset shift is powerful.

Splitting the Money Three Ways

When money is earned, we divide it into:

• Spending

• Saving

• Giving

The idea is to build healthy money habits early.

Spending money can go toward small purchases like toys or treats.

Savings can build toward bigger goals — a more expensive item, a special outing, or something meaningful they’ve worked toward.

Giving money is usually donated around Christmas or used during the year for school fundraisers or causes they care about.

It keeps generosity part of the conversation — not an afterthought.

A Practical Example

Here’s what this might look like in a real week:

ScreenTickr (Responsibility System)

Each week, your child has:

• Get ready for school

• Clean up after meals

• Do homework

• Get ready for bed on time

When these are completed, they earn their agreed screen time for the week.

These are expectations — not paid jobs.

Pocket Money (Optional Jobs)

Separately, you keep a list of paid jobs such as:

• Deep clean their bedroom - $3

• Take out the garbage — $1

• Empty the dishwasher - $1

• Fold the washing — $1

• Clean the bathroom — $5

• Mow the lawn — $10

The harder the job is the more it can pay. Keep plenty of easy low paying jobs to make it not such a pain.

If your child wants to buy a toy or save for something bigger, they can choose to do one (or more) of these jobs.

Money earned is split into:

• Spending

• Saving

• Giving

Now there’s no confusion.

Responsibilities earn downtime.

Extra effort earns money.

Keeping It Simple

ScreenTickr is designed to help children build everyday habits — consistency, follow-through, and responsibility.

Pocket money is a separate lesson: effort, initiative, and the value of work.

When you keep those systems distinct:

• You avoid paying children for basic responsibilities

• You reduce negotiation around purchases

• You create clear pathways to both freedom and opportunity

ScreenTickr supports the “you’re growing up” responsibilities.

Paid jobs support the “you can create opportunity” mindset.

Together, they help children learn that some things are expected — and some things are earned.