How Automatic S’mores Allocation Works

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July 23, 2026
Frankie

Automatic allocation divides chore-completion S’mores between Spend, Save, and Goal.

The rule is always percentage-based.

There are two levels:

Global family allocation
Chore-level override

The global rule handles most chores. A chore-level rule changes the split for one specific chore.

Global Allocation

The global setting is the default for all completed chores.

Example:

70% Spend
20% Save
10% Goal

When a child earns 100 S’mores, the system places:

70 in Spend
20 in Save
10 in Goal

When a child earns 20 S’mores, the same percentages are applied.

Exact rounding behavior should be verified.

Chore-Level Override

A chore can use its own percentage rule.

Example:

The family global rule is:

70% Spend
20% Save
10% Goal

The chore “Weekly laundry” uses:

40% Spend
40% Save
20% Goal

Only the earnings from that chore use the override.

Other chores continue using the global rule.

Why Use a Global Rule?

A global rule helps families:

Save automatically
Avoid deciding after every chore
Keep the system consistent
Teach regular saving
Make goals part of normal earning
Reduce parent follow-up

The child sees that every earning choice has a plan.

Why Override One Chore?

Use a chore-level override when the chore has a special purpose.

Examples:

A larger weekly chore sends more to Save
A money-skills chore sends more to Goal
A small daily chore sends more to Spend
A project chore supports one large target

Avoid creating a different split for every chore.

Too many rules are hard to explain.

Set Percentages That Add Up Clearly

The full allocation should equal 100%.

Example:

Spend 60%
Save 25%
Goal 15%

Use whole numbers the child can understand.

A simple rule is easier to remember than several small percentages.

Chore Type Comes First

Automatic allocation happens after the chore type decides who earned the S’mores.

Example:

A Collaborate chore is worth 40 S’mores and has four participants.

Each person receives 10 S’mores.

Then each person’s 10 S’mores follows the applicable Spend, Save, and Goal allocation.

The Collaborate split and Wallet allocation are separate steps.

Approval Comes Before Allocation

If Parent Approval is required:

The family member completes the chore.
The chore waits for approval.
The parent approves it.
S’mores are awarded.
Automatic allocation divides the earnings.

If the chore is rejected, no S’mores are allocated.

Manual Bonus Is Different

A manual Bonus always goes to Spend.

It does not follow the global or chore-level allocation rule.

After the Bonus appears in Spend, S’mores can be moved manually to Save or Goal.

A Bonus chore is different. A completed Bonus chore awards S’mores like a chore and can follow chore allocation behavior.

Penalty Is Different

Penalty removes S’mores from Spend.

It does not use automatic allocation.

It does not remove from Save or Goal.

Start with a Simple Split

A family might begin with:

70% Spend
20% Save
10% Goal

After a few weeks, review:

Does the child have enough Spend for reachable rewards?
Is Save growing?
Is Goal moving?
Is the split easy to understand?
Does one chore need an override?

Change the percentages only when the current rule is not helping.

Family Examples

Child focused on small rewards

80% Spend
10% Save
10% Goal

Child building a saving habit

50% Spend
30% Save
20% Goal

Teen saving for a large target

40% Spend
20% Save
40% Goal

Use the family budget and reward system to guide the split.

Common Problems

The percentages do not total 100

Review the settings before saving.

Rewards feel unreachable

Increase Spend or lower Reward Shelf costs.

Goal grows too slowly

Increase Goal globally or override a selected chore.

The child does not understand the split

Use simpler percentages.

Bonus did not follow the rule

Manual Bonus goes directly to Spend.

Common Questions

Is automatic allocation fixed or percentage-based?

It is always percentage-based.

Is the setting family-wide?

There is a global family setting.

Can one chore use a different split?

Yes.

Can S’mores be moved after allocation?

Yes.

Does the rule apply before approval?

No. Approval happens first.

Best First Action

Set one global rule the family can explain in one sentence.

Use a chore-level override only after the global rule is working.