Peter Andre and his wife Emily MacDonagh have sparked debate after openly admitting they are “stingy” when it comes to giving their children pocket money — revealing they pay as little as 50p for household chores.
The couple, who share three children together, give Amelia (Millie), 12, and Theo, eight, just £1 a week — and if they want anything more, they have to earn it.
Speaking candidly in a video shared on Instagram, Emily explained how their system works. She said viewers may have seen a recent clip of Millie doing chores to earn extra money, which prompted her to ask other parents how they approach pocket money. She added that the responses were so interesting she wanted to revisit the topic.
Emily revealed that both children already have their own bank accounts and cards, with their weekly £1 allowance paid directly in. But anything extra comes with effort. She explained that simple tasks like unloading the dishwasher, making their bed or putting clothes away typically earn them around 50p, while bigger jobs might bring in £1.
Despite the structured system, Emily admitted she sometimes questions whether she’s being too strict. She said she feels torn between teaching her children that helping their parents shouldn’t always come with a reward, and wanting to give them a sense of earning their own money.
She explained that growing up, she wasn’t paid for chores, which influences her parenting approach today. Still, she believes the small amounts help keep her children grounded, adding that they take pride in being able to buy something small for £2 or £3 because they understand the effort behind earning it.
Emily even joked that she might be “a bit stingy and a bit mean,” inviting others to share their opinions.
However, many fans were quick to defend the couple’s approach. Some said it teaches children the value of money, while others admitted they wished they had done the same with their own kids.
The discussion comes as Peter’s daughter, Princess Andre, recently opened up about how her father’s relationship with Emily has shaped her outlook on love.
The 18-year-old revealed that watching her mum Katie Price go through multiple relationships had left her guarded, explaining she had seen first-hand what heartbreak looks like. But she said seeing her dad and Emily together made her believe that “true love does work.”
Princess also admitted she remains cautious, saying she is always alert to people around her family and isn’t afraid to speak up if something feels off. She explained that while she doesn’t want to always expect the worst, she still feels it’s important to stay aware and protect those close to her.
