Making money in the summer time.
Kid: My Dad won't give me an allowance and I'm 12-years old. I want to earn some money during the summer time. What can I do?
Kids' Money: Here's some ideas from our resident 11-year old:
- Mow lawns.
- Take care of pets when neighbors go on vacation.
- Do extra jobs around the house.
- Have a garage sale.
- Make something and sell it to your neighbors.
- Baby-sit.
Kids' Money Kid: I have the same problem, only I am 7.
Kids' Money Parent: So you're only 7 and you want to make some cash? I have some suggestions. A lot of mothers have their hands full with new babies in the summer because they have a lot to do. So I recommend asking an aunt or a neighbor you know if they need any help with chores or the baby while she does other things. Your too young to babysit, but if you feed the baby while she mends some socks or does the dishes or gets some time off, it would be a big help. Start by charging $1.00 or .50 cents an hour. You're really young so you have to prove you're reliable before you raise your rates.
How about other Kids' Money parents and kids? Now's the chance to share your knowledge and experience in this area. E-mail your views now!
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Ways kids can earn money.
Parent: What are some ways my kids can acquire money without me giving them an allowance?
Kids' Money: There are really only two legitimate ways that come to mind...well, three if you count finding it on the ground. Besides that, your kids can suggest that cash would be appreciated from those asking about what kind of gifts to give. Some children have put together significant sums by saving cash gifts.
Of course, the only way to consistently accumulate money is to work for it. The type of work depends on the age of the child. Young kids love to help. Their jobs generally come from helping mom or dad or a close relative, friend or neighbor. Older kids have many more opportunities. Bonnie and Noel Drew have put together a lengthy list of enterprising ideas in their book Kid Biz - Year Round Money Making Projects for Junior Entrepreneurs. Just the Table of Contents, with it's 101 money-making projects, includes 25 activities for spring; 27, for summer; 25 for fall; and 24, for winter.
Here's a progressive list of ways kids can make money starting at the youngest ages:
- Extra jobs around the house. These go beyond chores or normal household responsibilities. Typically, they are jobs you would do yourself or pay someone else to do. Extra jobs can include such things as matching socks, washing cars, cutting grass or painting fences.
- Help neighbors and relatives. They have the same needs as parents when it comes to needing help around the house. Often, starting at a young age with small tasks such as pulling weeds and pet sitting can lead to bigger jobs like lawn care and baby-sitting.
- Help with parent's work. From time to time, most parents' jobs involve some small task that their kids can do. Kids are anxious to get involved and generally work hard and do a good job. If it frees you up to do more challenging work or if it's something you would pay someone else to do - both you and your child are money ahead.
- Help with kid's work. Parents can get temporary jobs with the idea that the kids will help with most of the work and earn most of the money. One such job is delivering phone directories.
- Start your own business. Kids can both make money and gain valuable business experience by starting their own businesses. They can provide a service, make their own product or sell someone else's goods. Capitalism For Kids - Growing Up To Be Your Own Boss by Karl Hess has gotten some great reviews. It includes encouragement and guidance for both parents and kids. Most parents are probably also familiar with the Sales Leadership Club and Olympia Sales Club. Both catalogs include a wide variety of products which kids can sell for cash and prizes.
- Part-time and summer jobs. States and common sense dictate limits to kids working. Check the law and then consider any added restrictions you may want to establish. Jobs can be a great source of money, provide valuable work experience and become an important part of growing up. However, it's not uncommon for jobs to also interfere with school work and family life. Taking time with your child to establish and maintain a balance between the three is essential.
Well, that's the Kids' Money idea list. How about other Kids' Money parents and kids? Now's the chance to share your knowledge and experience in this area. E-mail your views now!
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Have a question or a problem that hasn't been addressed above? This is the place to air it! Check back regularly for an answer or a response.
© Copyright 1996 - 2000 by David McCurrach. All rights reserved. Revised 6/10/00.
Kids' Money receives numerous e-mails from kids who want to know how they can money. Some kids need to make a lot and money and need to make it fast. Others are too young to work at hourly jobs and are looking for alternatives. Or, they simply want to know how old they have to be to work. Many times, Kids' Money gets the same question in a number of different e-mails. In that instance, we select one question that is representative and answer it. In fairness and appreciation to all those that have written and in an effort to better understand their concerns and frustrations, we are providing other questions that address the topics discussed above. We hope each of you finds this approach helpful. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Making Money On A Regular Basis
- I'm a girl and I'm 12 and I want to make money.
- Are there any jobs a 14/15 year old can work?
- I am 15 and need a summer job. Any suggestions?
- What age do you have to be for a paper route?
- I want to make money for a computer. How can I get the money? (Age 10)
- I am 13 and I need to know how to make some money.
- I am 13 years old (going to be 14 on August22). By the time I get a job to make money in the summer, summer will be over. Are ther any jobs that will let me work in an ordinary place instead of having to do little things like baby-sit?
- How can a kid make money?
