Trent, I’m behind you 1000% – My parents did very similar methods and it made it very easy for me to acquire security AND personal independence on my own very early in life. I retired at 49 and have zero debt.

We got a small allowance that covered our obligations and dues, and a small amount to spend as we wished but were required to save some.

We had to do our chores (no choice – “because you live in this house and are a part of this family”), we behaved well (“because you are a reflection on this family”) or lived to regret it.

There were plenty of “extra jobs you can do to earn more money if you need it.” (no handouts). However, we could borrow against 2-3 weeks future allowances, but we HAD to pay it back, NO AMNESTY.

We did get some small amounts of Christmas Money from elderly relatives but HAD to give 10% to a charity of our choice and HAD to save some of the rest.

Perhaps it’s not the only method that works, but it sure does work! I am astounded that anyone could think that giving an allowance and expecting help around the house could give “an attitude of entitlement.” The “entitlement” mentality comes from “Ma, gimme $10″ – and getting it!

As far as I can remember, there were no rules for me regarding what I spent my money on, nor any rules about giving anything to charity, nor about savings or gifts. The money I earned was mine to do with as I pleased, assuming I wasn’t breaking some other rule.

The only exception (bizarrely) I can remember is that my stepfather responded to my plan at 14 years old to start saving for a car to tell me that I shouldn’t bother, as I would not be permitted a car until I turned 18 in any case. That pronouncement didn’t last, he actively helped me save for a car the summer before I turned 17.

I used Daria as an example because she said she used the same method as Trent – a method you are heavily critizing and linking to kids and young adults turning out to be entitled and lazy.

Kudos to your 18-year-old for getting a scholarship. I got a scholarship too, and my parents gave me an allowance as a kid. So I don’t know what you’re trying to prove with that.

At this stage in the game, we give allowances monthly (easier for me to remember on the first of the month, instead of every week), to help our kids learn to budget. I direct deposit allowances into my kids’ bank accounts. The teens have debit cards, which they have learned to manage. My youngers get part in cash, and part in their savings account – but they decide how much goes to each place. When my oldest dd got a part time job, she told me she didn’t need the allowance anymore, so we discontinued hers. We don’t tell anyone what they can or can’t do with their money. All of mine have good sized savings accounts. They are all givers when they see a need. I try to keep them aware of opportunities to give, without insisting they give. We also volunteer at a charity-based thrift store. I am often surprised by their generosity.

Others often comment about how helpful and responsible my kids are. I really think it is because we’ve always had a tone in this house that we all work together and we all share. I hope this will carry over into their work lives – they are team players and diligent workers – and into their families, with their own children.

I would say that any parent out there has a 100 times greater effect on their child’s spending habits later in life strictly from what they say or do on a regular basis. An allowance, if a reasonable amount, has much less effect be it either positive or negative.

In fact, I have an extra new paperback copy (I bought a bunch and gave them to friends & family) and would be happy to send it free to any Simple Dollar reader Trent chooses, or directly or to Trent, so he can send it to the reader he selects.

We found the book “Raising Financially Fit Kids” by Joline Godfrey that Trent reviewed to be very useful when we were trying to figure out how to start teaching our son how to handle money. All we knew was that we wanted to start early because it was going to be a long slow haul to build a strong foundation to last him for life. I was a bit overwhelmed at the idea, but breaking everything down into smaller digestible concepts that were age appropriate was very helpful.