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Asking for a Raise in Allowance

If you’re lucky enough to get an allowance, it never seems to last long, does it?! If you’ve gotten the same weekly or monthly allowance from you parents for more than a year, it might be time to ask for a raise. But, like asking your parents for anything extra, you might want to stop and think about the best way to approach them. Here are a few tips.

• Do the math. Figure out how much you spend each week on fun stuff and things that are school-related.
   
• Ask questions. To yourself that is. About if you’ve been smart about how you spend your money and why you’re really asking for a raise. Do you really need more money?
   
• Get prepared. Think about the concerns your parents might have when you ask them for more money and prepare some convincing answers.
   
• Act mature. When it’s time to talk, make sure you sound like a big kid, not a whiny one! Nothing makes parents say “no” faster than a whine. Let them know how thankful you’d be and how you know you’re asking a lot.
   
• Add on. Let your parents know you’re not expecting something for nothing and that you plan to do extra chores around the house for the extra allowance. Suggest a few chores and be willing to accept their suggestions.
   
• Think big. If they say “no,” then think big. Think beyond the here and now and ask them to keep their minds open. See if they’d be willing to give you extra money now and then for out of the ordinary chores like yard work or mowing the lawn.
   
• Be polite. Whatever they decide, thank them for listening to you. Who knows, if you handle this situation well, you might be in store for a bigger raise next time!