NatWest Rooster Money Index: Outdoor Chores Drive 12x Higher Earnings for UK Kids

Quick Summary

The NatWest Rooster Money 10th annual Pocket Money Index reveals that UK children now earn an average of £9.74 per week. Outdoor tasks like mowing the lawn pay 12x more than indoor chores, helping kids build financial literacy through real-world earning and saving habits.

How is the Pocket Money Index tracking UK youth spending?

The latest data from NatWest Rooster Money shows a significant 6.7% year-on-year increase in weekly earnings for children aged 6 to 17. By analyzing over half a million users, the index highlights that the average UK child now earns £506.48 annually. This growth suggests that despite economic pressures, parents are prioritizing financial education and rewarding responsibility. Holidays and travel have overtaken gaming as the primary savings goal, indicating a shift toward valuing real-life experiences over digital assets.

• Average weekly pay: £9.74
• Annual earnings: £506.48
• Top savings goal: Travel and Holidays

Which chores offer the highest financial rewards for kids?

There is a widening indoor-outdoor pay gap in UK households, with manual labor fetching the highest premiums. Mowing the lawn remains the most lucrative task, netting £3.52 per session, while washing the car follows closely at £3.36. In contrast, traditional indoor tasks like making the bed earn just 28p. This disparity encourages children to engage in active, outdoor work, which experts suggest builds higher confidence and better academic performance through hands-on responsibility.

• Mowing the lawn: £3.52 per session
• Car washing: £3.36 per session
• Dog walking: £1.15 (up 11% YoY)

What is the strategy behind the 'Chorewear' product launch?

To gamify financial literacy, NatWest has introduced 'Chorewear,' a limited-edition jacket designed to facilitate high-earning tasks. By featuring integrated tool loops and a retractable dog lead, the garment turns chores into a structured earning opportunity. This initiative, fronted by Aston Merrygold, aims to bridge the gap between physical activity and money management. The campaign reinforces the NatWest Rooster Money mission to provide children with a head start in understanding the value of work and the mechanics of saving.

"Growing up, I had to earn my pocket money, whether that was washing the car or helping out in the garden. Those early lessons really stick with you. Now as a dad, I want to give my kids that same grounding, understanding the value of money and what it means to work for it. Getting Grayson involved in chores and seeing him take pride in earning and saving is really important to me. It’s about setting them up with the right habits for later in life. Working with NatWest Rooster Money and trialling the Chorewear jacket together has been great fun, and we hope it inspires other families to find simple, everyday ways to learn about money, especially by spending time together outdoors." said Aston Merrygold.

FF NEWS TAKE:

This 10th-anniversary data from NatWest Rooster Money proves that the 'bank of mum and dad' is becoming a sophisticated fintech training ground. By linking physical labor to digital wallets, NatWest is successfully capturing the next generation of consumers early. The shift from gaming to travel as a savings goal is a massive indicator for the wider payments industry: Gen Alpha is looking for IRL utility, not just skins and V-Bucks.