Screen-free · Printable · Ages 6–14

Raise a kid who actually understands money.

A hands-on allowance system that grows with your child — from counting coins at 6 to understanding compound interest and credit scores at 14. Built by a Vermont store owner who spent a decade watching teens enter the workforce financially unprepared.

Shop the Levels → See how it works

Levels that
build on each other

6–14

Age range
covered

$49

For the complete
3-level bundle

Family doing a Money Meeting with Aldo's Allowance Academy

Real families. Real skills.

A weekly Money Meeting changes everything.

The Problem

"Money has become invisible. Kids watch us tap a phone and walk away. They never see it, hold it, or learn what it's worth — and that's the problem."

— Jillian, store owner & founder, after 10+ years hiring teens at Barnard General Store

1 in 3

teens can't calculate basic percentages before entering the workforce

57%

of American adults live paycheck to paycheck — because nobody taught them

states require a standalone personal finance course for high school graduation

The Curriculum

Three levels. One system.
A lifetime of confidence.

Each level includes a Children's Guidebook and a Parent's Guide. Each one builds on the last.

Level 1

🐣

Wise Owlet's Club

Suggested Ages 6–8

✦ Coin identification & counting
✦ Spend, Save & Give jar system
✦ Budgeting & expense tracking
✦ Hoot Loot Bonus Bucks rewards
✦ Weekly Money Meetings with family
✦ Learning to address & mail envelopes

$19

Add to Cart →

Level 2

💰

Smart Cents League

Suggested Ages 9–11

✦ Gross vs. net pay & 5% tax system
✦ Writing & signing real checks
✦ Monthly bills: rent, utilities, insurance
✦ Insurance claims process
✦ Parent-match savings (like a 401k)
✦ April tax return with credits & refunds

$19

Add to Cart →

Level 3

🎓

Financial Flight Society

Suggested Ages 12–14

✦ Compound interest & investment tracking
✦ Loans, interest & repayment schedules
✦ Credit score system (starts at 70)
✦ 4-account envelope system
✦ Federal tax, state tax & FICA deductions
✦ First job interview prep & workplace tips

$19

Add to Cart →

The System

It becomes part of
your family's rhythm.

No apps. No screens. Just real conversations, real practice, and real confidence — built week by week.

Download & print your level

Each level includes a Parent's Guide and a Children's Guidebook with all the printable forms, charts, checks, and trackers you need.

Hold your first Money Meeting

Sit down together, introduce the system, and complete the first allowance chart. The parent guide walks you through every conversation, including what to say when your child pushes back.

Build the weekly habit

Each week, your child earns their allowance, calculates deductions, pays bills, and makes intentional choices about saving and spending — with you right there.

Watch the skills compound

As your child grows, advance through the levels. By the time they get their first real paycheck, nothing on it will surprise them.

10+

years hiring &
training teens

The Creator

Built to give kids the money skills most adults wish they'd learned growing up.

Hi, I'm Jillian — store owner, employer, and mom of two in Barnard, Vermont. For over a decade, I've hired and trained teenagers through their first jobs at Barnard General Store.

The same story kept repeating: teens who'd never touched cash, never read a pay stub, never understood why their paycheck was smaller than expected. They'd grown up in a world where money was just a number on a screen.

I searched for an allowance system that actually prepared kids for the real world. I found gimmicks. So I built what I wanted: a system that grows with your child from kindergarten to their first paycheck — no screens required.

— Jillian Minerva

Questions

Things parents ask us

Do I have to start with Level 1?

Not necessarily. If your child is already comfortable with basic money concepts, you can start at the level that matches their age and skills. Each level is designed to stand alone, though they build beautifully on each other. When in doubt, start one level earlier than you think — it's much better to build confidence than to overwhelm.

How long does each level last?

Each level is designed to last for years, not weeks. The printable materials are reusable or easily reprinted. Most families spend 1–3 years per level depending on when they start and how quickly their child progresses.

What if my child refuses to participate?

This is one of the most common questions, and it's addressed extensively in every Parent's Guide. The short answer: don't force it. The system is designed so that participation is naturally rewarding. Kids who don't do tasks don't get paid — and that's a lesson in itself. The guides include specific scripts and strategies for common pushback at every age.

How much allowance should I pay?

The guides include suggested amounts and ranges, but this is entirely up to you. The system works at any allowance amount — the percentages and proportions are what matter, not the specific dollar figures. Many families start very small and increase as kids take on more responsibilities.

What do I actually receive when I purchase?

You receive an instant digital download: a PDF Parent's Guide and a PDF Children's Guidebook for your chosen level. You print them at home (or at a local print shop). No physical product is shipped. No subscription required.

Is this available for schools or libraries?

Yes! We offer institutional licensing for schools, libraries, and homeschool co-ops. Please reach out directly to discuss pricing and terms for your situation.

Raise a kid who actually understands money.

Three levels. One system.A lifetime of confidence.

It becomes part ofyour family's rhythm.

Built to give kids the money skills most adults wish they'd learned growing up.

Things parents ask us

Your kid's first paycheck shouldn't be a surprise.

Three levels. One system.
A lifetime of confidence.

It becomes part of
your family's rhythm.