How to create a monthly allowance for a child

A monthly allowance in KiddyCash is a recurring transfer that moves money into your child’s wallet on the same date every month — automatically. Once you set it up, you do not need to remember to send the money yourself. KiddyCash handles the schedule for you.

Monthly allowances work well for older children who are learning to plan spending across a longer stretch of time. If your child is younger or you prefer a tighter feedback loop, you may want to read how to create a weekly allowance for a child instead. For a single one-time transfer — say, a birthday gift or a reward — see how to create a one-off allowance for a child.

Before you start: Your family must be set up in KiddyCash and your child must already have a wallet on the platform. Your parent account must also have a linked funding source — for example, an M-Pesa number or a bank account — with enough balance to cover the first transfer.


Steps

  1. Open the allowance creation screen. Go directly to https://kiddy.cash/family/kiddy/account/allowance/create. You can also reach this screen by tapping your child’s wallet from the family dashboard, then selecting Allowances → Create allowance.

  2. Select the child. If you manage more than one child in your family, a dropdown will appear at the top of the form. Choose the child who will receive this allowance. Each child has their own separate wallet.

  3. Enter the allowance amount. Type the amount in the Amount field. KiddyCash displays figures in KES by default for Kenyan families, but the currency shown will match your account’s home currency. For example, you might enter KES 500 as a starter monthly budget for a child in Nairobi learning to manage groceries or school supplies.

  4. Set the frequency to Monthly. Under Frequency, select Monthly. A new field will appear asking for the Day of month — for example, entering 1 means the allowance sends on the first day of every calendar month.

  5. Choose a start date. Pick the date on which the very first transfer should go out. If today is the 14th and you choose the 1st, KiddyCash will schedule the first payment for the 1st of the following month.

  6. Add an optional note. The Note field lets you leave a short message your child will see in their wallet — for instance, “Monthly budget — save some for next month!” This is optional but helps reinforce the lesson behind the money.

  7. Review and confirm. A summary screen shows the amount, frequency, start date, and funding source. Check all details, then tap Create allowance. KiddyCash will confirm the allowance is active and show it under your child’s Allowances tab.


What happens next

Once the allowance is active, your child’s wallet is credited automatically on each scheduled date. Your child can see the incoming transfer in their transaction history. As a parent, you can pause, edit, or cancel the allowance at any time from the same Allowances tab.

Research consistently shows that consistent, structured pocket money has a measurable impact on how children relate to money as adults. If you want to understand the wider picture, why schools play a bigger role in financial literacy than most parents realise is a useful starting point, and how schools and families can collaborate on financial education offers practical ideas for reinforcing what KiddyCash starts at home.