⚡ A Silverton mini-game

The Great
Pocket Money Pay Cut

A short parent-and-child activity · roughly ages 4–7 · a one-minute calculator, then an optional family letter

Hi, I'm Walbot! Pick money or stars. We will try a saving challenge, then make an optional letter together. Have a grown-up join you.

1 grown-up · 1 curious kid · no ads, no sign-up. Nothing you type is sent to Pocket Money Adventures unless you choose to email or share it

No pocket money in your house? Pick stars. A different route that practises the same pause-before-a-choice skill. There is no correct pocket-money amount — the prize here is practising a pause before a big decision.
For grown-ups: how the money and stars paths work

What this calculator does

🪙 Money path: enter weekly pocket money now and what it was a year ago. We compare your amounts with the dated official price-rise benchmark (ONS CPI, 2.6% in the year to June 2026), and show whether it buys more or less than last year. Then we help write a letter about it.

⭐ Stars path: no money needed. Choose stars earned per week and a dream reward. We show how many weeks of saving reach it, and turn it into a signed Star Deal.

👩‍🏫 Parents and teachers: one screen at a time, real sourced data (see Methodology below), no sign-up. It ends with a printable letter and practice at pausing before a choice.

First things first

Who is playing today?

This just helps Walbot talk to the right person. Everything else stays the same.

Level 1 of 4

How much pocket money lands each week?

Roughly is fine. Chore money counts.

Please enter an amount between £0 and £60.
Level 2 of 4

How much was it this time last year?

Every answer is a fine answer. Families differ, and that is normal.

Please enter an amount between £0 and £60.

Enter last year's amount first — we work out the gap from the amount needed to keep up with prices from your actual numbers

Level 3 of 4 · The reveal

–
weekly gap from the amount needed to keep up
–
equivalent over 52 weeks, if the same weekly gap continued

📊 The proof, nice and simple

Prices grew
Pocket money changed

CPI is a broad national average; the prices of the particular things a child buys may change differently.

You cannot control prices. You can control the pause. Tap, Tap, Pause: keep the words together. Take one breath, then ask, “Do I need it, or do I want it?” and “If I get it now, what can’t I get later?” Then choose.

There is no correct pocket-money amount. Age, family circumstances and what the money has to cover all matter.

Level 2 of 4

Pick a dream worth waiting for

Choose one of these examples for this activity — you can swap in your own reward when you edit the letter afterwards.

Did you know? UK children's top savings goals in the cited 2026 study are a holiday, "the future" and gaming. And in Ava Saves Up, Ava learns that waiting for the big dream can feel even better than a quick treat today. Pick yours.

Level 3 of 4 · The waiting superpower

⭐ Star plan ready ⭐

–
stars you can earn each week
–
stars your dream costs

📊 The proof, nice and simple

Say it like this: "If I use my stars on little rewards today, my big reward moves further away. Choosing one thing means giving up another." That is the heart of it: Tap, Tap, Pause before a choice — two taps, one pause, better decisions.

The superpower is the pause. Tap, Tap, Pause: keep the words together. Take one breath, then ask, “Do I need it, or do I want it?” and “If I get it now, what can’t I get later?” Then choose.

Final level · The Letter Studio

Time to put it in writing. Pick the letter that fits what the numbers showed.
Step 1 · Pick your letter
Step 2 · Fill in the details

🔒 Names and answers stay in this browser. Pocket Money Adventures does not receive them unless you choose to send or share the finished letter.

Please enter an amount between £0 and £100, in 10p steps.
Step 3 · Check the letter

✏️ Tap any line below to change the words. It is your letter.

You have edited the letter by hand, so it will not be overwritten.
Step 4 · Send it

While you are both here

Three kitchen-table wins, money or no money:

  • Explain why the same money buys a bit less when prices rise. That is inflation, done.
  • The Money Rule: save some, spend some, and share some if you can. Coins or stars, the pause is the same skill.
  • The Tap, Tap, Pause: Tap, Tap, Pause. Keep the words together. Take one breath, then ask, “Do I need it, or do I want it?” and “If I get it now, what can’t I get later?” Then choose.

Want Ava in your home, school or local community?

Pocket Money Adventures is a story-led programme for children aged 4 to 7, helping them practise pausing before a choice, at home, in school and in community groups. Say hello, we are friendly.

✉️ Email Pocket Money Adventures

hello@pocketmoneyadventures.co.uk

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