
- BGG rank
- BGG #28,829
- BGG rating
- 5.0
Money Bags
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2000

1979
Rules assistance for The Allowance Game
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
The Allowance Game is a board game released in 1979 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 6 and up. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move.
"Whether you're starting your own business, doing chores around the house, earning interest on bank deposits or spending money at the mall -- this exciting game teaches you how to use money and make change. When you do all this and you save $20.00, you win the game! So if you're ready to save, earn and spend a little fun money, simply follow the instructions below." For ages five years and up, per the box. Contains plastic nickels, dimes, and quarters as well as $1 and $5 denomination bills. Note - the instructions are on the back of the box. Most gamers will find no instruction book and nothing inside the lid and figure the instructions are missing!
The Allowance Game supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for The Allowance Game is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists The Allowance Game for ages 6 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
The Allowance Game has a complexity rating of 1.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
The Allowance Game belongs to these categories: Economic, Children's Game, and Educational. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists The Allowance Game as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.