Thanks to my brilliant sister for our new allowance program. Kalvin and I have tried different systems, but so far, this one has been very effective and very simple. On the first day of every month, my girls are given a stack of $1 bills for each day of that month. They put the money in a special place, and it is theirs, unless they "lose" it. Together we wrote up an "allowance creed" which was mainly a list of things they might do to lose a dollar, such as not making their beds in the morning, etc. There are plenty of behavior things, as well as regular chores that they are expected to do. So, if for instance, one of them is late getting in the car in the morning for school, they lose a dollar. At the end of the month, they pay 10% of what is left for tithing, and half of the remaining money goes into their bank savings accounts. Whatever is left over, is all theirs to spend however they want.

So last week it was the book fair at school, and of course the girls were excited to go. Here's a snapshot into their personalities. Cassidy immediately spent ALL of her February money ($17 dollars) on 2 books plus erasers, pencils, a necklace, and a pointer thing. I drew the line at posters. No cute baby doggie posters. Even though it was her money, I just couldn't do it!!!

Tressa bought herself 2 books and a pointer thing, but wanted to make sure she still had enough money to buy a treat and a toy at another store.

Whitney was hesitant to spend any money at all, and was obsessed with only spending LESS than either of her sisters were going to spend. Interesting...