The Paper Chore Chart: An Outdated Classic?
The magnetic board on the fridge with names and checked-off tasks... Who hasn't tried it? It's simple, visual, and costs almost nothing. But in practice, this system quickly shows its limitations.
The Limitations of the Paper Chart
No Historical Tracking
Once the week is over, you erase and start again. Impossible to objectively prove who did what over the last month. Discussions like "I always do more than you" remain without factual answers.
No Task Weighting
Checking off "dishes" and checking off "deep cleaning" count the same on a chart. Yet the effort isn't comparable. The paper system can't reflect this difference.
Rigid Scheduling
"Monday is you, Tuesday is me." What happens if you're not there Monday? The system doesn't provide for flexibility or makeup tasks.
No Remote Access
The chart is on the fridge. You're at the office wondering if the laundry has been hung? Impossible to check.
Forgotten Tasks and Manipulation
We forget to check things off. Or worse, someone checks off without having done it. No traceability, no accountability.
Digital Solutions: A Rapidly Growing Market
Faced with these limitations, many apps have emerged. Here are the main approaches.
Generic Task Lists (Todoist, Any.do...)
Advantages: Free, versatile, automatic reminders
Disadvantages: Not designed for shared household tasks. No notion of fairness or contribution tracking. Who did what? Mystery.
Shared Calendars (Google Calendar)
Advantages: Free, visual timeline
Disadvantages: Same issue, no tracking of who does what. You see what's planned, not what's been done.
Household Chore Apps with Rotation
Advantages: Designed for cleaning, automatic scheduling
Disadvantages: Rigid rotation system. No task weighting. No flexibility.
The FairChore Approach: Mathematical Fairness
FairChore adopts a different philosophy: rather than imposing a schedule, the app lets everyone do what they want, when they want, and guarantees fairness through the points system.
The Debt/Credit System
Each task has a point value. When you complete a task, you gain points, and others lose them. The sum is always zero. Those who do nothing accumulate a visible "debt."
Task Weighting
Doing the dishes (10 points) isn't the same as deep cleaning (50 points). The system objectively reflects the effort provided.
Total Flexibility
No imposed schedule. You do more this week? You can ease up the next. Balance happens naturally over time.
Complete History
Who did what and when? Everything is recorded. No more pointless discussions about past contributions.
Affected Members
Unique feature: you can define who is affected by each task. A 6-year-old isn't affected by "cooking," an absent roommate isn't affected by the week's dishes.
Accessibility
Installable web app on mobile (PWA). Check and record your tasks from anywhere.
Solution Comparison
| Criteria | Paper Chart | Generic Apps | FairChore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historical tracking | ❌ | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ |
| Task weighting | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Proven fairness | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Flexibility | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mobile accessibility | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Affected members | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Free | ✅ | ✅ / Freemium | ✅ |
How to Migrate to FairChore
- Create your group: Family, roommates, or couple
- Invite members: By code or invitation link
- Customize tasks: FairChore offers default tasks, but you can adjust everything
- Adjust points: According to the difficulty perceived by your group
- Start recording: Each completed task, one click is enough
Conclusion
The paper chart has had its day. For modern, fair, and conflict-free household chore management, digital solutions offer decisive advantages.
FairChore stands out with its unique approach based on mathematical fairness and flexibility. No more rigid schedules and arguments about who does what: the points speak for themselves.
Ready to abandon the chart on the fridge? Try FairChore for free.
