At what age should I start giving my kids an allowance and how much?

Most families start around ages 5 to 7, when children grasp that money is exchanged for things. Amount matters less than consistency and purpose. A common guideline is a modest weekly sum tied to age, but the real goal is giving kids their own money to make and learn from mistakes. Decide whether the allowance is a flat gift, tied to chores, or a mix, and be consistent. Encourage dividing it into spend, save, and give buckets so children internalize tradeoffs early. Let them feel the sting of blowing it all on a toy that breaks, because that lesson is cheap now and expensive later. Increase the amount and responsibility as they age, eventually letting teens manage a small budget for their own discretionary costs.