Family
Pocket Money UK: Choosing an Amount and Building Saving Habits
By Clever Mum Editorial · Editorial standards
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2 minute read · Sources linked below
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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 together | Example question |
|---|---|
| Amount and timing | Is this weekly or monthly, and on which day? |
| What it covers | Are treats included, or are they paid for separately? |
| Saving | Is there a specific goal the child wants to work towards? |
| Running out | What happens if all the spending money is used early? |
| Review date | When 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.
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 — MoneyHelper
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