We set up a reward chart when DS was wanting to get his own stuff out of season. Works really well. He has to do a job to earn a tick and when he has enough ticks I give him some money. Part of me thinks he should help around the house because he is part of the family and we should all pitch in but then the rest of me realises that he is a small kid and he doesn't have any other option for earning money.

The other thing we do is when he is really wanting something in the month or two before birthday/christmas is tell him to put it on his birthday list and see what happens.