How can kids make a fair amount of money?
I am trying to make money to save up for a phone and I need a good amount!
Start your own business! Some examples of things you can do are:
Car Detailing - wash and clean at their place, using their water, your supplies, regular customers will give you referrals and help build business. Winters are important too, especially in the north; get the underneath thoroughly to get rid of all the salt!
Window washing - although spring is generally best time for - local real estate agents would be good choice to talk to, sellers trying to present best image.
Snow shoveling - since it is almost winter, depending on location
Cobweb Removal - monthly, especially good for McMansions, or maybe churches
Math (or whatever subjects you get A’s in, maybe high B’s) tutor for children, not good for just in school year, but 2-3 times a week during summer good too.
Cleaning - house, apt, office, kids’ rooms
Organizing - closets, attics, kids rooms, basement
Pet sitting for neighbors - in your fenced-in back yard instead of them having to use a kennel. TLC and a daily walk will be much better for them than strangers! Would be needed more in summer, but if do trip for business, or in hospital…
Dog walking - too many busy people out there
Show older people how to use computers, net, word processing, etc
Grass mowing / yard work in the summertime - to keep earning money to pay for the cell phone service.
Keep your eyes open, find a need and fill it!! Get some books on starting weekend businesses from the local library to see if you can find anything you are interested in, and able to do.
Good Luck! Let me know how it worked out! ~ 
Filed under: FAQ
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
4 comments
hmm been a teenage myself i know its hard to work for money. u can do jobs like be a newspaper boy/girl and earn money from there or ask for simple jobs like throwing leaflets in peopls homes but you wont get paid much thought there arent any jobs for young people.
References :
personal expereince
Depending on how old you are you could offer to babysit if you know anyone with younger children?
Mow peoples lawns?
Clean your friends and families cars?
Walk dogs?
Busk?
Get a job.
References :
Do you feel that you want to earn money of your own because your parents either don’t understand or cannot afford the things that you want or need? You’re not alone. If you read the archives of current and resolved answers here, you’ll find your question is a popular one. The responses you read will range from solid great ideas to crazy scam web sites that prey on your need for cash or independence. Just remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
As a young person you have the time, energy and often the equipment needed to provide solutions for your customer’s wants, needs or problems. Since business is a win-win situation you need to trade the assets that you have for what your customers have … preferably cash.
Besides reading the Answers archives, you may want to take a trip to your local library. There are a number of informative books for young people that can help to educate and motivate you. One title is “Fast Cash for Kids” by Bonnie & Noel Drew. My library collection has several others so I encourage you to talk to your Librarian about similar books. The books can help you take your business from the idea stage to actually starting and running a successful venture. Many of today’s huge corporations began at home and yours can too. Did you know that Ebay started out as a site for Pez Dispensers? Look what that small home business idea has become!
Another resource for help is a national group called Junior Achievements. While I don’t have personal experience with them, I have heard great things about them helping teen entrepreneurs like you. Check out their website at http://www.ja.org.
While strangers like myself can give you all kinds of ideas on what you can or should do, your parents or family or friends can help you find opportunities that are perfect for your skills, interests and experiences. What works for one person won’t work for another.
Perhaps the most common answers that teens and tweens get to their job or business questions are babysitting, lemonade stands, mowing lawns, washing and vacuuming cars, and a few illegal ideas thrown in for fun. These things may or may not work for you. I would suggest getting a notebook or a few sheets of paper to list things that you like, are good at, and have the equipment for. This notebook can be the start of your business plan as your ideas and goals develop. Setting goals is very important because your cannot reach your goals if you have not set them. Make sure they are realistic goals.
As a teen you may not be able to work for an employer but you can develop your own business selling products, providing services, or a combination of the two for even more income. You should look into the financial and legal aspects of business to keep more of your business revenue instead of paying expenses out of your own pocket. You can get tax credits for a business cell phone, car expense, computer costs, educational needs, business cards and much more. Consider hiring a professional accountant to help get the most from your business. You will be helping your parents as well as yourself.
So… what can YOU do to earn money? Think outside of the box. You might consider the normal ideas recommended above or you may wish to branch into your own thing. Instead of babysitting, why not host puppet shows or story hours for younger kids. With groups of ten paying $3-5 per hour, you’ll make more than your parents. If you write a newsletter and earn $2 per copy a few hundred or thousand copies can earn you a pretty sweet monthly income. Have you thought about setting up computers or other electronic items for new buyers? You’ll do what you love and love what you do and get paid well. What about a recycling center for cans, bottles, newspapers, etc? Individuals and businesses should be easy to get on board for going green and you can sell green products as well. Another thought is to sell new or used items that fit into your industry. If you have a yard scaping service, sell lawn chemicals or garden ornaments. Think about a craft business … you can imprint t shirts or custom garden flags (learn about copyrights and royalties). You could sell returns and closeouts for local businesses. What about running a window washing or painting company? You could teach individually or group lessons on things you know well. What about tutoring in your favorite topics? Maybe a holiday gift shopping and wrapping service or even card mailing service could work for you. Think about local businesses as well as individuals. What about helping people get organized with their household paperwork??? Organizers make good money. You could print and sell bumper stickers or promotional gifts with custom photos like coffee mugs or magnets or flash drives. Why not imprint and sell specialty calendars? (Look into copyright and royalty rules)
As you can see, there are a lot of things that YOU can do to make money and it adds up. Do something TODAY!!!
References :
Start your own business! Some examples of things you can do are:
Car Detailing - wash and clean at their place, using their water, your supplies, regular customers will give you referrals and help build business. Winters are important too, especially in the north; get the underneath thoroughly to get rid of all the salt!
Window washing - although spring is generally best time for - local real estate agents would be good choice to talk to, sellers trying to present best image.
Snow shoveling - since it is almost winter, depending on location
Cobweb Removal - monthly, especially good for McMansions, or maybe churches
Math (or whatever subjects you get A’s in, maybe high B’s) tutor for children, not good for just in school year, but 2-3 times a week during summer good too.
Cleaning - house, apt, office, kids’ rooms
Organizing - closets, attics, kids rooms, basement
Pet sitting for neighbors - in your fenced-in back yard instead of them having to use a kennel. TLC and a daily walk will be much better for them than strangers! Would be needed more in summer, but if do trip for business, or in hospital…
Dog walking - too many busy people out there
Show older people how to use computers, net, word processing, etc
Grass mowing / yard work in the summertime - to keep earning money to pay for the cell phone service.
Keep your eyes open, find a need and fill it!! Get some books on starting weekend businesses from the local library to see if you can find anything you are interested in, and able to do.
Good Luck! Let me know how it worked out! ~
References :
Some personal experience, some research in various books; recommend: Weekend Entrepreneur 101 Great Ways to Earn Extra Cash, Entrepreneur Press, 2006 as had many things teens could easily do.