# Pocket Money UK: How Much, When & Saving Examples | Clever Mum

> Choose an affordable pocket-money routine, agree what it covers and use a worked savings example. Published MoneyHelper guidance for UK families.

*   [ Home ](/) 
*  › [ Family ](/family/) 
*  ›  Pocket Money UK: Choosing an Amount and Building Saving Habits  
 
    
Family

 
#  Pocket Money UK: Choosing an Amount and Building Saving Habits 

   [ CM ](/authors/editorial-team/)  
 By [ Clever Mum Editorial ](/authors/editorial-team/) · Editorial standards 

 
 Published 11 July 2026   ·   Updated 9 September 2026   

     
         
Quick answer — How much pocket money should a child get? 

 
There is no fixed right amount of pocket money. Choose a regular amount your household can afford, agree what it covers and make saving progress visible. A weekly or monthly routine can help children practise choices; paid apps and a particular allowance are not required.

    
Who should skip this

 
Skip this if you need Junior ISA mechanics — use the children's savings page. This is pocket money, not investing.

   
2 minute read · Sources linked below

 On this page — jump to a section  
## How much pocket money should you give?

There is no single right amount. MoneyHelper advises choosing an amount that fits the household’s spare money and the child’s age. Start by deciding what pocket money is intended to cover, then choose a regular amount you can sustain. You do not need to match another family’s budget.

Agree togetherExample questionAmount and timingIs this weekly or monthly, and on which day?What it coversAre treats included, or are they paid for separately?SavingIs there a specific goal the child wants to work towards?Running outWhat happens if all the spending money is used early?Review dateWhen will you discuss whether the arrangement still works?
### A practical savings example

Suppose a child chooses to save £1 each week for a £12 toy and starts with £3. They have £9 left to save, so the target takes nine more weeks if the price and weekly saving stay unchanged. This is an illustration, not a recommended allowance or a survey average.

Make the progress visible with a jar, a simple notebook or a suitable account. If you use an app or card, check its fees, age rules and parental controls before signing up. A paid subscription can be a large proportion of a small allowance.

### Should pocket money depend on chores?

MoneyHelper describes both approaches: paying for tasks can connect effort and earnings, while doing ordinary household jobs without payment can reinforce shared responsibility. Choose the arrangement that suits your family and explain it consistently. You can distinguish ordinary contributions from occasional extra paid tasks.

### What if regular pocket money is unaffordable?

Learning does not require a paid allowance. Compare prices together, let a child help plan a small purchase or talk through a choice between spending now and saving. Keep essential needs separate from a budgeting lesson. Revisit the arrangement when responsibilities or household finances change rather than treating a birthday as an automatic obligation to pay more.

### Evidence and scope

Published sources consulted on 9 September 2026. [MoneyHelper: pocket money and saving](https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/family-and-care/talk-money/talk-learn-do/pocket-money-and-saving).

    
## What questions come up most?

    How much pocket money should a child get?   
 There is no fixed right amount. MoneyHelper advises considering the child’s age and the household’s spare money. Agree what the allowance covers and choose an amount you can sustain. 

   Do children need a paid pocket-money app?   
 No. Cash, a notebook or a suitable account can support a simple routine. If considering an app, compare its fees, age rules and parental controls first. 

     
## 
Sources & further reading

 
 *  [ Pocket money and saving ](https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/family-and-care/talk-money/talk-learn-do/pocket-money-and-saving)  — MoneyHelper 
 
      
## At a glance

   Age 6 average £2.69/week  Age 11 average £3.56/week  Typical start age Around 5-7 years  Chores-linked? No consensus — both common     
Our promise

 

Health-adjacent points cite NHS or equivalent guidance. This article is general
            information, not medical advice — see our
[editorial policy](/editorial-policy/).

     
## Keep reading

  [  
       Family 
###  Screen Time for School-Age Children: The Actual UK Guidance 

 The UK's official screen time position for 5-11s sets no hour limit — what the Chief Medical Officers and RCPCH recommend instead, and what's changing.

   ](/family/screen-time-guide-school-age-children-uk/)[  
       Baby 
###  How Much Does a Baby Really Cost in the UK? 

 A realistic first-year baby budget for UK parents — the big-ticket items, the recurring costs, what’s genuinely optional and the smartest places to save.

   ](/baby/how-much-does-a-baby-cost-uk/)