Dad charges 6-year-old rent—clever or too much?

Dad turns rent day into a lesson for his 6-year-old—and parents can’t agree if it’s genius or too much

Credit: Tiktok / @michael_talksmoney

A dad calmly asks his daughter for $3 in rent and $1 for utilities, setting the stage for a monthly tradition that’s part parenting lesson, part playful game.

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“Rent’s due.” It’s not something you’d expect to hear from a dad knocking on his 6-year-old daughter’s bedroom door—but that’s exactly what happens in a viral TikTok that’s split parents down the middle.

In the clip, a dad calmly asks his daughter for $3 in rent and $1 for utilities, setting the stage for a monthly tradition that’s part parenting lesson, part playful game. The video has racked up over 6.4 million views and sparked a lively debate among parents everywhere: Is this a clever way to teach kids about money, or is it pushing adult expectations on a child a bit too soon?

@michael_talksmoney
DM me for the Budget Binder, Savings Challenge Binder, and Chore Chart links. I’ll send them right over! She pays rent. She tracks her chores. And yes, we make it fun like a game. She loves it. She’s motivated to do the same tasks she already should be doing, but now there’s a reward tied to it. She’s learning that money is earned, not given. And soon, we’ll teach her how to budget, save, and buy the things she wants, if she has the money for it. Because learning to work with money at 6 means she won’t struggle with it at 26. 💸
♬ original sound – Michael -IG michael_talksmoney

What’s happening in the video

In the video, the dad collects $3 for rent and $1 for utilities from his 6-year-old daughter each month. But this money exchange is part of a broader system where she earns her allowance by completing chores tracked on a point-based chart. When she earns 25 points or more, she receives a $5 allowance.

The family organizes these transactions using a budget binder, with separate envelopes for rent and utilities to help her visualize household budgeting. As the dad explains, this early introduction to money management is intended to help her develop financial skills she can build on in the future.

By turning the experience into a game, the system helps her learn without pressure.

Why gamified lessons might work

Teaching kids through play isn’t just fun—it’s effective. Studies show that gamification, or adding game-like elements to learning, can increase motivation and engagement in children. When kids see chores and money management as a game, they’re more likely to participate willingly and internalize the lessons.

By earning points for completed tasks and exchanging those points for an allowance, the system rewards effort and responsibility without making the experience feel like a punishment. Experts also emphasize that positive reinforcement helps children develop self-regulation and goal-setting skills.

Rather than simply handing money over, this method encourages the child to connect effort with reward, laying a foundation for healthy money habits and a sense of accountability.

Parents are split—here’s what they’re saying

The video’s comment section is a lively microcosm of the broader debate around early financial education—packed with jokes, heartfelt compliments, anecdotes, and a dash of snark.

Some commenters kept things lighthearted and playful:

Pavel Barber: “Just did this with my son. He refused to pay the rent so I evicted him. We are also earning and learning.”
SpooferKing: “$3? yall got an extra room?”
M.f.k.r.7crows: “I’d be taking out loans for snack packs by 7”

Beyond humor, some shared personal stories or heartfelt support:

CulinaryBozz: “Funny story…. friends did this with their teen. And once the teen grew up, got engaged…. they gave him every dime back so he could put his deposit down on his first home purchase.”

Compliments also poured in from users like:

Frank Vaccaro415: “It’s actually smart. She learns young. Knows the value of a $. Good smart parenting.”
Leandra: “As a financial counsellor that deals with young people who are drowning in debt this is absolutely brilliant! she will be financially wise and stable, not getting into credit card debt. Amazing job Dad, don’t know you but I am proud of you 👏❤️😍”

On the flip side, some worry that charging a 6-year-old rent might cross a line—arguing that it puts too much pressure on kids too early.

TheManAdhem: “I understand the paying the kids for doing chores. My Dad did that with me but paying bills is just annoying. Let her enjoy being a kid. She has the rest of her life to pay bills.”
Ustamum: “By the time she actually HAS to do this, she will be sooo over it all and will have a weird relationship with money.”
Tee: “Damn. She gonna pay bills literally her entire life. Like she won’t even get to enjoy being a kid.”

This divide among parents reflects a larger cultural question: How do we balance preparing kids for adulthood without rushing them out of childhood?

What this debate really reflects

The spirited reactions to this TikTok video highlight a bigger, ongoing conversation in parenting: how to strike the right balance between preparing kids for the realities of adulthood and preserving the innocence and joy of childhood.

At its core, this debate reflects deeper parenting values—how we teach life skills, and when. Some parents prioritize early financial education as a way to equip kids with vital life skills and confidence. Others worry that pushing responsibility too early risks burdening children or diminishing their chance to simply be kids.

This tension mirrors larger cultural questions around childhood in today’s world. With increasing pressures on families and children—from economic challenges to social media influences—parents are navigating how best to foster resilience without rushing maturity.

Ultimately, this debate invites reflection: How can we teach essential skills like money management while honoring the unique pace at which each child grows? And how do we ensure that lessons in responsibility come wrapped in encouragement and support, not stress or fear?

Would you try this with your child?

This video has sparked a lot of conversation—and maybe some self-reflection—about how parents approach teaching money skills. Some see it as a clever way to prepare kids for adulthood, while others worry about putting too much responsibility on young shoulders.

So, what do you think? Would you consider adapting a version of this rent-and-chore system with your child? Or do you feel age 6 is too soon to introduce these kinds of financial lessons?

Every family is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

But this viral parenting moment raised a bigger question: Are we preparing kids—or pressuring them?

We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

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