Description of discipline technique:
Although I give my kids a small weekly allowance so they have some pocket money, I don't believe in tying this to chores. I feel everyone should work together as a family to complete the chores. However, I do think they need a little incentive. So I have a "chore chart" on a dry erase board. If they do a chore I've asked them to do, they give themselves a mark next to that chore on the board. At the end of each month, I'll take them to the movies or a local kids' arcade-type place. For every two marks on the chore chart, they get one token. Most places have 4 tokens for a dollar, so let's say they got 40 marks in the month, that equals 20 tokens, or about $5. So it's not much money for me, but they get to have fun with the games. It's great b/c if one kid did really well, they have more tokens than the others, and they notice! Gives my older boy incentive to work harder next month so he can have as many tokens as his younger sister, who likes to help around the house.

Appropriate age group(s):
Preschool to middle school, maybe

Other suggestions or comments:
I also have an "extra" section where the chores are listed. I use this a lot to reward them for things like random acts of kindness that I've observed, things they helped with that aren't listed with the chores, being ready for school on time, and even exercise (a mark per mile walked, to encourage joining in on family walks and develop healthy habits).