Bucksy

We have 3 teenagers, and keeping track of their chores and earnings became almost impossible.

We started using the idea of, “If you want something extra, you need to work for it.” It actually worked really well. It helped teach them that they aren’t entitled to simply get whatever they want and that earning money takes effort.

But then we ran into a completely different problem: we had to keep track of everything.

Kid: “Dad, I still have $10 from last week’s chores.”

Dad: “Umm, okay...”

Mom: “No, she doesn’t. You spent it at Dollar Tree last weekend on that craft stuff.”

Kid: “No I didn’t! And remember, you said I’d earn $5 if I walked the dogs.”

Mom: “Yes, but then you wanted that PS4 game for $10, so you still owe me $5.”

Kid: “No That was my brother. I didn't buy anything!”

Kid2: “I didn't either! Mom remember she also bought that gift for her friends birthday and said she will use her money”

...

At some point I thought, I’m an engineer. There has to be a better way to do this.

So I built Bucksy.

It’s a very simple, completely free, no-ads Android/IOS app for families.

You create your family, invite the other parent(s), add your kids, and they join using a simple family code. There’s no personal information collection—just a nickname and age group.

Parents can:

• Create chores and decide how many Bucks each one is worth

• Set up recurring chores

• Add extra one-time tasks

• Let kids lose Bucks when tasks aren’t completed on time, if you want

• Have kids submit completed chores for parent approval

• Create goals for things they want to buy

• Track how much they’ve earned and how close they are to each goal

The important part is that parents stay in control.

There’s no subscription, no ads, no membership fee, and no hidden “premium” features. It’s completely free and intended to be something parents can actually use with their kids.

But Bucksy isn't really about giving kids money.

It’s more about teaching them how earning, saving, spending, and responsibility work.

For us, the Bucks are basically a virtual version of the money we promise them for doing things.

You do the dishes → you earn $1.

You walk the dogs → you earn $5.

You help with an extra task → you earn some more.

Then when we're out shopping or they want to order something, they can use their earnings toward it. Instead of me trying to remember whether they have $10, $5, or nothing left, they can see it themselves.

My kids each have goals for things they want—one wants a bicycle, another wants a water park ticket, another wants a PlayStation game. They add the goal to Bucksy and can see how much they need to save and how close they are to getting it.

Think of it as a pretend bank where your parents are your employer.

You do your job, you get your paycheck, and you decide whether to spend it or save it for something you really want.

That's really all Bucksy is trying to do: make it easier for parents to teach kids that things cost money, money is earned, and saving for something you want can be rewarding.

I originally built it for my own family, but I figured other parents might have the same problem.

Both Android and IOS apps are already available —search for Bucksy. It has a cute little squirrel icon. 🐿️

I'd genuinely love to hear what other parents think. Feedback, criticism, ideas, and suggestions are all welcome.