Getting Paid
When you do work for someone, they may pay you in return.
What getting paid means
Counting your pay
Once you're paid, it's worth checking: how much did you actually receive? Does it match what was agreed? And what do you want to do with it? This isn't about not trusting someone — it's simply a good habit, every time money changes hands.
Agreeing on payment
Before doing a paid job, it helps to agree on a few things first: what the job actually is, what needs to be done, how much will be paid, and when payment happens.
Example: "Wash the car properly and receive $10 when it is finished."
Agreeing this upfront prevents confusion later.
Payment doesn't always mean cash
For younger children, cash is the easiest place to start. But as people get older, they're often paid electronically — the money goes straight into a bank account instead of being handed over as coins and notes. We'll cover how that works later, in the Banks & Digital Money lessons.
Earning vs receiving
Payment for work is earned money. A gift is received money. Getting paid is what happens right after you earn it.
Before you start the job
You agree to mow the lawn for $15. What should you think about before starting?
What exactly needs doing? How much will you receive? When will you be paid? And what will you do with the money once you have it?
Before paying for larger jobs, agree clearly on what's expected. The goal isn't strict rules — it's teaching responsibility and the value of a clear agreement.
Some jobs are paid hourly, others are fixed-price for the whole task. Adults sometimes send an invoice — a simple note saying what work was done and how much is owed — before being paid electronically. This isn't about tax or employment law, just how getting paid tends to work.
Where to next
Now let's look at how kids can earn extra money around the home.