Follow Scott Pape’s school holiday challenge to become a Barefoot Kid

Follow Scott Pape’s step-by-step guide to become a Barefoot Kid. Part one of the four-week summer challenge series shows youngsters how hard work is the real key to making money.

Welcome to the Barefoot Kids School Holiday Challenge!

I’ve gathered together the best bits of my record-breaking bestseller book, and each Sunday over the next four weeks, I’m going to set a challenge for you to complete — not your parents — just you. Consider this your very own summer project to earn some money and join the thousands of Barefoot Kids who are getting what they want, becoming the boss and learning skills that will help them for life.

Money Comes From Working!

Get Ready! This week we’re going to begin this thing with a bang!

I’m about to show you the fastest and easiest way to get some money in your pocket. That’s right, I’m going to teach you how to train your parents to give you money.

The most successful people in the world all have one thing in common: they’re hard workers. So if you want cool stuff you have to work for it.

How?

By getting your parents to pay you to do three simple jobs around your house.

Now you might be already doing jobs around the house, or maybe you did them for a while and then stopped. That doesn’t matter. The plan we’re on is different because you are in charge, and you decide the jobs.

Okay, now I want you to go and grab a pen or a pencil.

I’ve put together a handy list of jobs that you can do around your house that your parents will pay you for. Most of them can be done in a few minutes, or on the weekend.

Your Payday Jobs

For younger kids (up to seven years old)

● Set the table (or clear the table)

● Help put the groceries away

● Help fold washing and put clothes away

● Help stock the toilet paper!

● Pack up all your toys and really tidy your room on a Sunday

Older Kids (Age 8 to 14)

● Clean out the car once a week

● Put the bins out each week, and bring them back in

● Clean up outside (sweeping, mowing, watering)

● Feed the pets each night

● Do the washing and folding on a Sunday

Have a look at the list and circle three jobs you think you’d be good at (or think of some of your own). Now that you’ve picked your jobs it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty: how much will your parents pay you for doing your three jobs?

It’s going to be different for each family, so you need to talk to your parents about it.

Some parents pay $1 per week, per year of age. So a seven-year-old would get $7 a week. Other families pay 50 cents per week, per year of age. So a seven-year-old would get $3.50 a week. Just try it for a week. It’s actually pretty fun to do jobs … nearly as much fun as getting PAID!

Now listen carefully, I’m going to share with you something that is going to impress your parents. And if you’re already doing jobs, these skills might just land you a pay rise!

You’re going to do something I call ‘Parent Pleasers’ — these will make your parents really happy. I mean, your mum doesn’t charge you when she cooks your favourite spaghetti bolognaise, does she? She does this because she loves you and this is what families do: they pitch in and help each other.

Isaac Thomson is a Barefoot Kid.

If your parents are going to pay you some pocket money to do your jobs, you really should also do some things just to help out.

Things like making your bed each morning, clearing your plate after every meal (including spag bol) and putting your clothes (including your stinky socks) in the laundry basket.

Now, are you ready? Because your school holidays are about to get a whole lot better when you can start having some cash to get what you want.

Here is your challenge for this week.

You’re going to choose three Parent Pleasers that you’ll do for free.

You’re going to choose some jobs around the house that you’ll be paid for.

You’ve thought about how much you’d like to get paid to do them.

Remember, every single step of the Barefoot School Holiday Challenge brings you closer to getting what you want. And if you want some inspiration, check out these Barefoot Kids.

Meet some Barefoot Kids!

Each week of our challenge you’re going to meet someone very special – a kid just like you!

Barefoot Kids come from all over the country. They are city kids and country kids, sporty kids and arty kids. They are kids who don’t mind rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty. They know the value of a buck and aren’t afraid to work for it.

So what are you going to do during these school holidays? Are you going to sit in your dark bedroom with your eyes glued to a screen or are you going to get out there and go on your very own money adventure?

Maybe you’ll complete this challenge as a family — just like Alex, Oliver, Isaac and Ebony Thomson.

Getting your jobs doesn’t have to be something you do on your own. Why don’t you get your brothers and sisters involved — after all, you don’t want all the glory, do you? See if you can get the whole family involved — like the Thomson’s.

Alex Thomson is a Barefoot Kid

Alex, 5 years old

Pay: $5 a week

Jobs: I make my bed (as best I can), help set the table for dinner, and wipe down the benches.

“I’m the smallest so I do the tiny jobs.”

Oliver, 8 years old

Pay: $8 a week

Jobs: I set the table for dinner, do the dishes, and sweep the floors.

“I don’t like doing my jobs, but I do like getting pocket money and saving for things I want to buy, that bit’s fun.”

Oliver Thomson is a Barefoot Kid

Isaac, 10 years old

Pay: $10 a week

Jobs: I clean my room, feed the chickens, and do the dishes.

“I like the feeding the chooks and collecting the eggs!”

Ebony, 13 years old

Pay: $13 a week

Jobs: I feed the dogs each day, help with dinner, and do laundry once a week.

“I love seeing everything clean!”

Kids Q & As

Each week of the challenge, I’ll answer your hot money questions …

Q: “But I don’t want to do jobs!”

A: The most successful people in the world all have one thing in common: they’re hard workers.

Remember, money comes from working. So if you want cool stuff you have to work for it. Just try it for a week. It’s actually pretty fun to do jobs … nearly as much fun as getting PAID!

Q: “But I already do jobs!”

A: Awesome, you’re already at the front of the pack! Keep going!

“We used to do jobs around the house but then mum and dad forgot about it. Now we don’t get paid anything!”

Parents are busy and they have a lot of things to remember, and that’s why I’m talking to you! If you can take charge and do your jobs without a mum or dad needing to remind you then you’re winning. Do the parent pleasers, do the jobs and I bet your parents are more than happy to pay you each week.

This is your plan, and you’re in control. And if you’re still having trouble getting them on board, next week I’m going to teach you some tips to make sure your parents don’t forget.

Ebony Thomson is a Barefoot Kid.

A Note to Parents and Grandparents …

This part is for you.

Your entire strategy is boiled down to one simple line:

Kids have three jobs to do each week — and they only get paid if they do them.

The only way to truly teach your kids the value of a buck is to make them work for it. You want to show them the joy of hard work. Now, if they miss a few jobs because they’re sick, that’s fine — just make a part payment for the week. (And let them catch up next week.)

Parents, repeat after me: ‘If you don’t work, you don’t get paid.’

It’s up to you and your kids what jobs they will do, and the payment for each.

Sometimes, you’ll probably end up doing these jobs with your kid — and that’s okay! It’s not about the job; it’s about the physical act of doing the job. (Besides, you’re going to clean up their mess regardless, aren’t you?)

Now, understand the secret sauce of this simple three-job plan:

Ideally, you want your kids to be able to do these three jobs quickly on a Sunday afternoon and still earn their pocket money.

Yet of course, you’re the parent, so you know your kids better than anyone (well, apart from Mark Zuckerberg). So you should definitely take my suggestions as just that — suggestions.

As you go along, you’re going to get the opportunity (with your kids) to tailor their jobs to your family and your situation.

But for now, you want to encourage your kids to mark off their jobs themselves.

Why?

You want to give them the feeling of satisfaction that comes from achieving a win.

It’s the kid equivalent of clearing your email inbox.

So give them that win!

Dear Scott,

My 10-year-old is a reluctant reader and he has been asking me every night if he can read your book to me! Unheard of. It has the perfect balance of turd and spew references and valuable financial lessons to keep him engaged. I gave the other copy to my 13-year-old (an avid reader). It has renewed his interest in his “jam jars” and really motivated him to make some money. So all in all, a great success for two very different children. Congratulations and thank you.

Kind regards,

Alisa

10-year-old Caleb reading Scott Pape’s new book Barefoot Kids.

So there you have it. Week one is done and dusted. You’ve picked your jobs for the week. You’ve settled on some parent pleasers and right now your parents are probably humble-bragging on Facebook with the hashtag #soproud. Next week you’re going to learn what you can do with all those shiny gold coins you’re about to earn. Until next week.

Originally published as Follow Scott Pape’s school holiday challenge to become a Barefoot Kid