"Bolles Bucks" reborn

When Jason was a child, his mom made up what were called "Bolles Bucks" to encourage the kids to work around the house and for them to learn to save for things they wanted. Why not use real money? We found that the kids just left their money lying around. If we hid it up high, they would ask for it so they could "count" it and then somehow it never got put back in it's proper place. Computer time/game time has become a big issue in our home so Jason suggested we use the Bolles Bucks idea. Here is our current list of prices:

To earn money-

Clean up toys-$5

Clear dishes from the table-$2

Put clothes in the dirty clothes hamper-$2

Get dressed by your self-$2

Homework-$5

Wash window for 20 minutes-$5

Clean up yard toys-$5

Take out trash-$5

Eat dinner-$2

Be good at Church-$10

Say prayers-$2

Brush teeth-$2

Read Scriptures-$5

To spend money-

Computer/Game time (20 minutes)-$10

$50 Bolles Bucks = $1 cash (they are always asking for toys, candy, gum...)

It is so nice. "Mom, can I play on the computer?" "How many Bolles Bucks do you have?" If they don't have it, they don't get to play. They usually get busy trying to earn Bucks so they can play.

This is our starting point and I'm sure it will evolve. I don't want to be paying a 10-yr-old to say their prayers. The goal is to establish a good habit, then add another one later. So far, the boys have been really good about brushing their teeth twice daily, putting their dishes in the sink and getting dressed on their own. When reminded that they earn Bolles Bucks for putting their dirty clothes in the hamper, they quickly respond. I am happy with the progress because before, it was like pulling teeth to get them to take care of their clothes. Do I like that we resorted to paying them for simple things? Not really. However, I do like the results it has generated thus far and I do like that the value of a Bolles Buck does not equate one dollar in the real world.