A Revolutionary System for Domestic Equity

How can you ensure everyone contributes fairly to household chores? Traditional chore charts have their limits: they don't account for varying task difficulty or each member's particular situations. FairChore's debt/credit point system provides an elegant and mathematically fair solution.

The Fundamental Principle: Zero Sum

The system's core relies on a simple but powerful principle: the sum of all group members' points always equals zero.

In practice:

When someone completes a task, they gain points
Other affected members lose points proportionally
The total always remains zero

This system creates a closed economy where balance is mathematically guaranteed. Impossible to cheat or manipulate results.

How Does the Calculation Work?

Let's take a concrete example with a family of 4: Sophie, Marc, Emma (15) and Lucas (10).

Example 1: Task Affecting Everyone

Sophie prepares dinner, a 20-point task that affects the whole family.

Sophie gains: 20 - (20÷4) = +15 points
Marc loses: -5 points
Emma loses: -5 points
Lucas loses: -5 points
Total: +15 - 5 - 5 - 5 = 0 ✓

Sophie did the work for 4 people, so she recovers 3/4 of the points (others' shares), and everyone "pays" their part.

The Power of Affected Members

This is where FairChore truly stands out. Not all tasks affect all members the same way, and the system reflects this.

Example 2: Task with Selected Affected Members

Sophie prepares dinner (20 points), but Lucas, 10 years old, isn't affected by this task (he couldn't do it anyway).

Affected members: Sophie, Marc and Emma (3 people).

Sophie gains: 20 - (20÷3) = +13.33 points
Marc loses: -6.67 points
Emma loses: -6.67 points
Lucas: 0 points (not affected)
Total: +13.33 - 6.67 - 6.67 = 0 ✓

Example 3: Lucas Clears the Table

Lucas, 10, clears the table (5 points). This time, the whole family is affected because everyone eats!

Lucas gains: 5 - (5÷4) = +3.75 points
Sophie, Marc and Emma each lose: -1.25 points

Lucas contributes fairly and sees his participation valued. It's motivating!

Why Affected Members Change Everything

Without this feature, Lucas would lose points every time his parents cook, which would be unfair since he can't do that task. With affected members:

Children are only penalized for tasks they can actually accomplish
Personal tasks (tidying your room) only affect the relevant person
Adult tasks remain among adults

Economic Balancing: Adjusting Points

The point system works like a market. Each task's points should reflect its true perceived difficulty by the group.

No One Wants to Do a Task?

If "Cleaning toilets" at 10 points attracts no one, it's not "profitable" enough for the effort required. Increase points to 20 or 25. Someone will eventually find it "worth it."

Everyone Wants to Do a Task?

If "Watering plants" at 15 points causes disputes because everyone wants to do it, it pays too much for minimal effort. Lower points to 5.

It's supply and demand applied to chores. Natural balance occurs when each task is valued at its fair measure.

Automatic Memorization

FairChore simplifies your daily life with automatic preference memorization. Each time you record a task, the affected members you selected are saved.

The next time you do the same task, the right members will already be preselected. No need to reconfigure each time!

Advantages of the Debt/Credit System

Total transparency: Everyone sees exactly who contributes and how much
Mathematical equity: Impossible to bias results
Natural motivation: Negative points push action
Flexibility: Balance can happen over time (you today, me tomorrow)
Gamification: The system transforms chores into a fun challenge
Adaptability: Each family adjusts points according to their values

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens if Someone Has Many Negative Points?

Negative points indicate a "debt" to the group. This person has benefited from others' work without contributing fairly. It's a clear signal it's time to roll up their sleeves!

Do Points Reset?

FairChore displays current month points on the dashboard. You can track balance month by month while keeping complete history.

Can You Have Decimal Points?

Yes! The system calculates precisely to ensure the sum stays exactly at zero. Decimals are normal and reflect fair calculation.

Conclusion

The debt/credit point system isn't just a gadget: it's a powerful tool that transforms how your household manages chores. By making the invisible visible and guaranteeing mathematical equity, it eliminates conflict sources and encourages collaboration.

Ready to establish equity at home? Create your FairChore group and discover the power of the point system.