I hesitated to tell y’all about this a couple of months ago. I knew as soon as I bragged about our new gig, it would all fall to pieces. 
So I waited. ‘Til now….
We have implemented a new reward method in our house, and I must say it has worked VERY well.
In lieu of money each week, the kids earn gems – which are redeemed for an award. The award *goal* is agreed upon by the child and parents. When child’s jar of gems is full, child receives award. 
The *award* can be money, but it can also be a video game, Silly Bandz, etc. Of course, it would depend on the family’s budget, parenting style and interest of the child. Right now, Mag is working toward 3 packs of Silly Bandz (ya’ know – ‘cause we need more), and Nicholas is working toward CASH.MONEY. (The amount agreed upon between Daddy and him)
How child earns gems: We have a gem list. I listed tasks that earn gems, and the amount earned. Let me tell you, when we first started this, the kids dusted most of the house, did the trash, dishes, bathrooms, etc. ALL IN ONE DAY. They saw how quickly the gems could add up! ha! I let them, because 1) it was getting done 2)I knew the *newness* would wear off. And it did. They are still eager to EARN gems, but reality has set in lately. Because you can also LOSE them. (as they did last week)
For example, we they have a problem leaving wet clothes, especially towels and swim suits, in their bathroom floor. Therefore, I added it to the list.
*If you leave wet clothes in the bathroom floor – LOSE ONE GEM.
Yep – it’s helped. 
It’s important to purchase different color gems for each child, so there is no stealing sharing. Also, make sure the gems in each color are the same size. You better believe my two kiddos compared and measured the quantity that each jar holds, to make sure they are EVEN. ha!
We also have a goal page posted on the frig. I printed it on card stock and laminated it, so it is reusable. (We write on it with a dry erase marker.)
Again, this has been working for our family. You can tweak it as you will to make it work for yours. The kids are not limited to earning gems only posted on the Gem List. Helping Mom or Dad with a *special project* earns, too. 
One of the items on the list is finishing morning and evening chores. They have always had a list of to-do’s. Don’t turn me in to child services, but my kids have been making their beds all by themselves since age 4. And I’m not apologizing for it. I am the momma who will do any thing and everything for my children, but I also believe in teaching them to be responsible. For their belongings and their actions. We teach them to respect what we have been blessed with, because it is not ours. It’s all His.
They are visual little people – especially Nicholas. (He is so my child) He likes to see a list of what to expect. Therefore, this has worked well for us for a couple of years.
These are posted on the frig and each square is covered with a magnet when the task is complete. (the kids made most of these magnets using chipboard, bottle caps, mini-mirrors, etc.)
Copies of our Gem List and Goal Sheet can be downloaded here.
Copies of our Daily Charts can be downloaded here.
This is what works for our family – what works for yours??
I tried something similar to this and it worked well and Riley has even asked if we can do it again. My problem was that I would forget about giving them gem or whatever I used. I tried to put it on them to remind me but that didn't work so well.
ha! Mine don't let me forget! We usually tally up at lunch and before bed.
I figured they wouldn't let me forget either but they did. They can't even remember to mark their chore chart knowing I don't pay if they don't mark. And they have to mark that day, not the next. I can't find what works good for us with the remembering things. The chore chart works good for reminding them what they need to do and the gem/token method worked well for rewarding good behavior and such. It's just the remembering… Sigh… As I'm writing this I'm thinking of combining the two things and maybe putting the jar of gems/tokens in the bathroom so they will see it when they brush their teeth for bed and maybe that will spark the memory and it can be decorative too. Thanks for sharing and making me think on this some more.
Keep me posted! Would love to hear what you figure out for your little guys! That's why I said what I did at the beginning – if I had boasted when we first began this, it would have NEVER happened! ha! We had to find our GROOVE – after a few tweaks. So thankful for that room-for-error as parents.
Loooooove this idea. I think this might translate well even for my teen. Thanks!
Hi! I have just made everything to start these systems with my kids… I set out the gem jars yesterday and the suspense as to what they are is killing them! Thanks for such a great idea.