Points & Perks works best when the points feel fair, the perks feel worth it, and grown-ups spend less time nagging. Here's what we've learned.
1. Start small
- Begin with 3–5 tasks per person and 3–4 perks. Add more once the routine sticks.
- Pick tasks people can finish on their own. "Clean your room" is big; "Put clothes in the hamper" is a win.
- Give it two weeks before changing values. The first few days are always exciting.
2. Setting point values
A simple rule: points roughly follow effort and minutes.
| Kind of task | Example | Suggested points |
|---|---|---|
| Quick (under 5 min) | Make bed, feed the pet, put shoes away | 2–5 |
| Medium (5–15 min) | Unload the dishwasher, tidy room, practice an instrument | 5–10 |
| Big (15+ min) | Mow the lawn, clean the bathroom, a big homework project | 10–25 |
| Stretch goals | Read a whole book, a week of on-time mornings | 25–50 |
The on-time bonus does the nagging for you. Finishing before the due date earns 15% extra by default. Adjust it in Settings → Points & money.
3. Choosing perks
The best perks are things people already ask for. Mix small, quick wins with bigger goals worth saving for.
| Perk | Example cost | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Pick tonight's movie or dinner | 15–25 | Cheap, quick, feels powerful |
| 15 minutes later bedtime | 20–30 | Popular; make it available only to older kids |
| Extra 30 minutes of screen time | 30–40 | Easy to deliver |
| Skip one chore | 40–60 | Teaches trade-offs |
| A day out or a special activity | 150–300 | A real goal to save for |
| The toy or game they've been eyeing | 300+ | Long-term saving; track it as a goal |
Perks for the right people. Make a perk available to some people and not others, or hide it. Grown-ups can earn points and have perks too: a shared goal like movie night can get everyone pitching in.
Points to dollars (optional). If you give an allowance, you can let people convert points to dollars at a rate you set. The app tracks it; you handle the money.
4. Goals keep motivation going
Each person can track up to three goals, swiping between them to see progress. A visible "almost there" is the most motivating thing in the app, so set at least one goal that's reachable within a week.
5. A light-touch routine for grown-ups
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| As needed | Approve perk requests and new tasks kids added | Inbox |
| Daily (optional) | Rate the day Good / Meh / Bad if you use behavior ratings | Home |
| Weekly | Look over what was checked off; tap Reverse on anything that wasn't really done | History |
| Monthly | Adjust point values or add a new perk to keep things fresh | People / Settings |
No photo proof, no constant pings. You get alerts only for things that need you, plus an optional evening summary if you want one.
6. Make it theirs
- Let each person pick a theme. They can switch any time, choosing from themes your household already owns.
- Choose a display style per person: big pictures for little ones, clean words for teens.
- Turn on read aloud for early readers.
- When someone's ready, let them add their own tasks. You still set the points.
7. Using Reminders? One list per person
If your household uses Apple Reminders, give each person their own list and make a smart list to see everyone together. Our Setting Up Apple Reminders guide shows exactly how.
Remember: points are a tool, not a scoreboard to win. Celebrate effort, keep perks fun, and adjust as your household grows.