Even the youngest may need money and set aside a nest egg to meet their needs. However, due to age issues and lack of work experience, it is sometimes difficult to find a way to earn a little extra. However, there are numerous opportunities for kids who want to save some money, such as doing household chores to get more pocket money, work as a babysitter, mow the neighbors' lawn, find a part-time job or even become a budding entrepreneur. Discovering creative ways to earn a small salary will not only make you more independent (so you won't have to turn to your parents when you feel like buying yourself something), it will also allow you to enrich your resume and gain valuable experiences.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Earning Pocket Money
Step 1. Ask your parents for pocket money
You might get paid to do some chores around the house on a weekly basis. If your parents don't want to pay you for these jobs, try explaining that with pocket money you won't have to ask them for money every time you go out.
- Earning pocket money is a real job. If they pay you for your services, you can begin to develop a good work ethic that will come in handy when you get older.
- Prepare a proposal to illustrate to your parents. Make a weekly schedule, make a list of the tasks you are willing to do, and roughly calculate the cost of each chore. At this point, you can negotiate the amount of pocket money.
Step 2. Clean your home
Tidying up rooms is a great way to earn pocket money. You can clean windows, dust or vacuum. There are so many tasks that you can complete to earn a small salary.
- Keeping your room clean may not be enough to get pocket money. Your parents probably think you automatically have a responsibility to keep it tidy. It is better to also offer other services and clean different parts of the house.
- Discuss with your parents how much they would be willing to pay you to clean a room or complete a certain task. Cleaning the hallway isn't as challenging as putting the dining room back in place - it's a much smaller space and takes less time.
Step 3. Do some outdoor work
Taking care of those seasonal housework that goes outdoors is another great way to earn pocket money. In fact, your parents probably don't have the time or inclination to think about it.
- Offer to rake leaves, shovel snow, mow grass, or pull weeds.
- If you will be doing seasonal but demanding chores (such as mowing the grass or shoveling snow from the driveway), you can ask your parents to calculate a flat rate for each time you do these tasks.
- If you have to rake leaves, try to get paid at an hourly rate.
Method 2 of 4: Work as a Tutor, Babysitter or Pet Sitter
Step 1. Give reps to friends and neighbors
If you are particularly good at a certain subject or can play an instrument like guitar or piano, you can offer to tutor friends and neighbors to earn a little extra. Just remember that your friends probably don't have a lot of money either, so be generous and don't ask for astronomical amounts.
- If you go to school with your friend and you are better at a certain subject than him, you can offer to give him tutoring or help him with his homework and study for questions.
- If you have a younger sibling, you can offer to tutor him so your parents won't have to constantly check his grades and homework.
Step 2. Work as a babysitter for your neighbors or your parents' friends
At your age, one of the most profitable jobs is just that. First, offer to babysit your little brother or sister. Once you have gained some experience, reach out to neighbors and acquaintances.
- If possible, sign up for babysitting training, such as the Red Cross. Find out if certified courses are available in your city: they will teach you the skills you need for this job, from managing children to actions to take in an emergency. A qualification will help you secure more job opportunities and also earn you a little more.
- Try to make yourself known. Ask your parents to advertise you among friends who may need a babysitter. Post flyers in your neighborhood.
- Imagine babysitting is a full-fledged career. Try to come up with an interesting name for your small agency and set the rates.
- Join an online babysitting forum or community.
Step 3. Try running a small daycare
In the summer months, when you don't have to go to school (but your parents still have to work), offering this service in your neighborhood can be ideal for earning some extra cash. If you have friends willing to help you, it will be even better.
- Parents are unlikely to be willing to leave their children with you all day. But if you've earned a good reputation as a babysitter, they might trust you more.
- This job is ideal for those who already have experience and can count on the help of some friends.
- Advertise your little nursery in the neighborhood and offer fun activities for the kids. You can organize a day at the park to play outdoor games or set up a corner of your home where you can devote yourself to creative work.
- You can also offer a complete package - nursery combined with school tuition.
Step 4. Work as a pet sitter or walk neighbors' dogs
If you love animals, this job is ideal for earning some extra cash right away. Dog and cat owners usually need this service, but there are also those looking for someone who knows how to take care of fish, amphibians, reptiles and so on. The important thing is not to accept a job that you would not know how to do.
- Create advertising flyers to make yourself known. Leave them in neighbors' mailboxes or post them on bulletin boards at various meeting points.
- Keep an agenda to organize working hours, but also to note the names, peculiarities, food and hygiene habits of the various animals.
- Make sure you organize the keys of the different houses. Buy keychains with tags and write the names of the owners. Do not add the address, so they will not take any risks if you lose them.
- Set a fair but competitive rate (find out about other pet sitters' rates). A flat rate of € 4-10 per visit or walk is a good starting point for negotiating.
Method 3 of 4: Running a Small Business
Step 1. Create a stand to sell lemonade
This initiative is very popular in the United States during the summer season. Considering that in Italy the diffusion is less, you can offer a different service than usual and earn some extra money. Invite some of your friends to help you and set up a banquet in your neighborhood.
- There are several factors that contribute to the success of a banquet. The first is undoubtedly the place. It should be somewhere in the neighborhood where you won't have competition from shops and bars, but it should also be busy and prominent, like a street corner.
- The banquet should be as inviting as possible. If you're feeling particularly creative, make one with a retro feel, then decorate it using ribbons and a billboard with your "company" name on it.
- Write down how much you spend to buy ingredients and set a price that allows you to make a profit. However, avoid it being too high.
- Create a menu with the products offered, maybe you could also sell something else: cookies, brownies, lemonades of various flavors.
- Assign different tasks to your friends. Make flyers and send a couple of co-workers to post them around the neighborhood or give them to passers-by. Someone else can prepare the drinks and food, so you won't run out.
Step 2. Sell food and drink on the street
This idea is similar to that of the lemonade stand, but you can implement it at events organized in your neighborhood or in parks, in spring and summer. Buy a cooler and store the various products inside.
- If your sibling plays football or basketball, you can go to the game to offer your products to the players and parents present.
- Create signs to promote yourself. Prepare a small space with a table and cooler.
- Sell water and juice to earn some extra cash.
- Prices should be reasonable.
Step 3. Make jewelry and other products to sell them
Invite friends to make different creations: accessories with beads, bracelets and so on. Sell them at a flea market, stall, private second-hand market, or even online. Ask a parent for help and permission first.
Step 4. You can also sell what you don't need on eBay or at a flea market
But first ask your parents for permission to make sure you can.
Step 5. Offer to wash the cars
You can set specific days of the week or month in which to do this. Ask some friends or neighbors who are looking to earn some extra cash to help you.
- Set a date and create flyers to advertise yourself. Put them in your neighbors' mailboxes and ask your co-workers to promote the service to family and friends.
- Choose a space that is suitable for washing cars, such as a house with a large driveway.
- Buy buckets, water, cloths, sponges, and so on. Wash all the cars that brought you and save your profits.
- Offer this service only to people you know and ask an adult to supervise.
- Before using products other than water to wash a customer's car, always ask for permission.
Step 6. Mow the grass and shovel snow for your neighbors
Offering these services is another great way to earn some extra money right away. Behave professionally and come up with a cool name to promote your work.
- Post flyers in your neighborhood to advertise the services you offer. Enter your contact details. You can also go directly to the neighbors.
- If you can use your equipment, so much the better, even if some customers make their own available.
- Set an honest price based on the size of the lawn or driveway and the time it takes to get the job done.
- To mow the lawn, make a regular weekly appointment with each client. To shovel snow, try to get the job done in a timely manner.
Method 4 of 4: Look for a Part-Time or Summer Chore
Step 1. Work in a retail store or restaurant
In many cases there is a minimum age. If they accept you, a part-time or summer job is ideal for earning a little extra right away and starting to flesh out your resume.
- More and more teenagers are looking for part-time jobs, including serving tables or working in a hotel. You may have other ambitions for your future, but getting a job in these posts can be easier at your age.
- Retail stores (such as teen clothing stores) or large chains can give you a job. Visit the website of the company you are interested in and take a look at the job postings.
- When you personally apply for a job and then go to an interview, dress well and decently, unless you are asked for a specific outfit. If you don't have a resume, be prepared to talk about your past experiences, such as your academic achievements. It is always preferable to have references.
Step 2. You can also become a lifeguard, or work in a natural park or amusement park
This is another easy way to earn extra income, you can also sunbathe by the way. Talk to a pool or park manager and ask if there are any vacancies available. Learn about the hiring process.
- Lifeguards must have specific training behind them and possess a qualification. If you really care about doing this job, you should take a course.
- Once you have obtained a qualification, it is not certain that you will be guaranteed a job. Ask if the pools or beaches are hiring, or ask your instructor to give you tips on how to find a job.
- You can also get in touch with a nature or amusement park and ask if they offer summer jobs. Sometimes they look for people who can supervise weekly children's events or manage sports matches.
Step 3. Work with your family
If your parents have a business or a shop, you can apply for a part-time job. It is a good alternative to pocket money. By the way, if you have little experience or no one would hire you given your age, it can be a great solution.
- For example, you can propose to clean the shop by setting an hourly rate.
- It may also be necessary to do routine chores, such as filing documents, enveloping letters, distributing flyers or coupons around town.
- It's also a great opportunity to start resume writing - this will help you when it comes time to look for another job.
Advice
- Always set fair and competitive prices. They don't have to be crazy or weirdly low.
- When looking for a job, contact people you know first, as they will be more likely to help you.
- Be creative. Collect ideas with your friends.
- If you want to sell a service or product on the internet, open a PayPal account. It is a secure way to send and receive payments.
- Before doing any kind of work, ask your parents for permission.
- Behave politely with employers and clients.
- Make sure you have everything you need to go into business.
- If you need clients to work as a dog sitter, hand out flyers in supermarkets or libraries - just make sure you have permission from those in charge. You can also knock on doors, but that comes with risks. In this case, have an adult accompany you.
- When selling drinks, you should offer a large assortment and get paid less for water.
- If you create items, you can sell them online or by setting up a stall.
- Try to interact with your customers so they feel welcome and want to come back.
- Keep your money in a safe place, like a bank account or a piggy bank.
- Tell others why you need money. If it's for a good reason, they'll be happy to help you.
- Do your job on time and be polite, especially if you do it for a client. Being a reliable worker is a great way to get references and find more jobs.
- Sell your old stuff.
Warnings
- Before embarking on a certain path, find out if you need a license or a certificate.
- If you want to sell something on eBay, make sure your parents agree, otherwise you risk getting rid of items they still use.
- Find out if you can leave flyers in neighboring mailboxes where you live.
