Kiplinger's personal finance editor Janet Bodnar suggests Sasha and Malia should get a raise as a way to help children learn about fiscal responsibility:
With all due respect, I'd like to suggest that the Obama kids need a fiscal stimulus (your father will know what that means, too). I'd recommend that you get weekly allowances equal to half your age -- that's $3.50 for Sasha and $5 for Malia.
That might sound like a big raise, but in return I'd expect you to take on extra responsibilities with your money. ...
I read that you're expected to make your beds but that your mom is satisfied if you "just throw a sheet over them." Sounds easy enough. Here's a suggestion you're probably not going to like: I don't think you should get paid for doing such chores. Kids should pitch in because their parents need help around the house -- even when it's the White House. ...
Why am I bothering to tell you all this? Because, at ages 7 and 10, you could be the poster children for learning to manage your own money and set an example for other kids. ... you could take on more personal responsibility -- something your father talked about in his inaugural address. If more grown-ups had done those things, we wouldn't be faced with such a big mess to clean up.
