You don't need to be an adult to make money. If you are too young to have a "real job", you can use creativity and find income opportunities. Learn to use your skills and try to babysit, gardener or make money in many other ways.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Getting Started
Step 1. Think about your abilities
What paid services can you offer? Can you do garden work? Walking the dogs? Babysitting? Create and sell items? Recycle paper or metal objects? Can you use the computer? If you think carefully, you will find plenty of possibilities. Write the list of ALL job opportunities.
- Some businesses are more profitable than others and some are not viable. Eliminate anything that requires equipment that you don't have or can't do in the place where you live.
- Below you will find specific sections on babysitting, gardener work, house cleaning, car washing, and other creative ways to make money.
Step 2. Decide how much time to spend on work
You don't have to neglect school, your friends and all the fun activities suitable for a boy. If you play sports or have other hobbies, finding time to work can be very difficult. Guys are often very busy, so you may not be able to carve out some space outside the weekend.
- Determine how much time you can devote to work and set a strict schedule. Can you work five hours on a Saturday? Moreover?
- Make sure you always inform your parents of your plans. They may be reminded that you have other responsibilities to take care of.
- Do the math if you are looking to save to buy something. If you can earn € 7 per hour, you have to work about 40 hours to get to € 300. If you want to save that amount in a month, you have to work 10 hours a week.
Step 3. Set your price
What amount will you ask for your services? Depending on the type of employment and your employer, the amount can vary a lot. Negotiate with clients, but start with a specific amount in mind.
- You can ask for a flat rate ("I will mow the lawn and collect the leaves for € 25") or an hourly rate ("I will mow the lawn and collect the leaves for € 6 per hour"). If the job takes a long time, consider an hourly rate. If you can complete it in a short time, but it is tiring, ask for a fixed price.
- Find out the minimum hourly rate for your industry and ask for a slightly lower amount. Some people have outdated opinions on how much to spend on activities like gardening, so it will be helpful to know the current standard.
- Make it look like your offer is a great deal. Find out how much is the remuneration of a professional who carries out the same service as you. A lower price will push people to hire you. If you are looking to save, you will want to earn as much as possible, but you will probably not be able to ask for € 100 for an hour of work in the garden.
Step 4. Find people willing to hire you
Post flyers, ask relatives, and suggest the people you work for to recommend your services to their friends. Tell everyone you know about your babysitting job. Make sure potential customers know who you are, what you offer, and how they can contact you.
- If you have many neighbors, knock on their doors. Introduce yourself and explain what you offer. People are usually happy to hire a guy from their area.
- Find a place that potential customers frequent. If you want to cut the grass, post a flyer at your local farm equipment store.
- Don't tell anyone why you need the money. Instead, explain how you can make life easier for the people who will hire you. For example, don't tell a customer that you will be collecting leaves in the garden, but that you will save them a lot of work and find a perfect garden.
Step 5. Create a schedule
Plan your day and work for as many hours as you set. If you want to babysit, find a family to work for every Friday night if that's your chosen day. Work as often as possible if you want to make money.
- Take advantage of all the hours you have decided to dedicate to work. If you finish your duty early, spend the rest of the time you should have worked knocking on neighbors' doors and handing out flyers. Don't close your shop just because you don't have customers.
- Work fast. If you want to cut the grass, you might think it's smarter to waste time and ask for a higher fee, but that would be a mistake.
Step 6. Keep looking for job opportunities
Perform your duty flawlessly at the earliest opportunity and seek recurring employment. Ask if you can come back the following week, at the same time. It's much easier to get hired a second time by a happy customer than to find new ones.
If the customer is happy, ask them to recommend your services to other people. Also ask if they can arrange a meeting with potential customers
Step 7. Try doing extra chores to earn more
If when you are with a customer you notice that there is something else to do, ask him if he is willing to entrust you with the task. Take out the trash and clean the house while you babysit, then propose to come back and clean for a fee. Take care of the bushes when you mow the grass, or offer to do it. Ask if there are any other jobs you could do.
Having the ability to complete multiple tasks in one house is very convenient, as you won't have to carry your gear around all day. It will be like working in the office
Method 2 of 4: Babysitting
Step 1. Find parents in your neighborhood
Babysitting is fun, pretty easy, and couples with children are always looking for help to have more free time. Ask your parents to talk to their friends or neighbors and inquire about who might need a babysitter. Think about which neighbors they have children and talk to them.
- Don't go too far from home. When you are a beginner, be sure to choose a home close to yours, so you can ask your parents for help if necessary. In an emergency, you will be close to home.
- If you live in an apartment building, you have the opportunity to earn a lot. If your neighbors need a babysitter, ask them to leave their children at your home. In this way you will be able to look after them and you will have the help of your parents if you find yourself in difficulty.
Step 2. Take a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course
To babysit, you need to be trustworthy, especially if your customers don't know you well. An effective way to gain the skills needed to babysit is to take a short cardiopulmonary resuscitation course and get certified. Usually, these courses last only a day or a few hours and you can attend them on the weekend.
In general, babysitters must be at least 12-13 years old. You have to be older than children for them to respect you and to be able to look after them on your own
Step 3. Find creative ideas to keep the children entertained
The positive side of babysitting is being able to be with small children, play a few hours and get paid! To be a good babysitter, think of lots of fun ideas on how to spend time with children and they will never want to let you go. Bring with you:
- Games.
- Books.
- Creative projects.
- Old toys.
- Outdoor games or sports items.
- Costumes.
Step 4. Listen to the parents' instructions
Babysitting is not just about playing and having fun. Depending on the age of the child and the length of your service, you may have to feed, wash, dress, put him to sleep and even change his diaper. Listen carefully and write down everything you need to do, so you always have a written reference when you are alone.
If you can't do something, be honest and ask the parents to show you how to behave before they leave. By asking a lot of questions, you will show that you are good at listening and that you are a serious worker
Step 5. Be patient
Small children can be pests. Playing with them for 30 minutes is fun, but after three hours that same game will get on your nerves. Babysitters need a lot of patience and calm with children and have to keep everything under control.
Remember: you are not there to have fun. If you could get paid to have fun, everyone would want your job. There is a reason why it is called work. Do not get upset if the child wants to see '' Finding Nemo '' twice in a row
Step 6. Be firm
Babysitters need to be bossy and in control of the situation. When bedtime comes, don't let the baby put your feet on your head. Be rigid and be prepared for his resistances. Speak calmly, decisively, and always behave like an adult. Stay focused on your task.
- Many children disrespect their babysitters by saying phrases like "You are not my mom," especially when they are forced to do something they don't want to do. Expect your authority to be questioned and decide first how to react.
- If the child wants to argue with you or starts to get nervous, don't get carried away by his agitation. Stay calm, silent and distract them with fun activities.
- In some cases, when babies are overexcited, something to eat can calm them down. Many of them won't admit they're hungry, but if you offer them some apple slices, they'll relax right away.
Step 7. Get help if needed
Babysitting can be a real challenge. If you find that you can't do it on your own, make sure someone is ready to help you. Ask a friend who lives in the area to join you and help you look after the baby, or call your parents if there is something you do not feel able to do.
In an emergency, always contact the child's parents and call 911 if something serious happens. Don't be afraid to take action when needed. Knowing how to cope with difficult situations is a hallmark of the best babysitters
Method 3 of 4: Working in the Garden
Step 1. Find a group of garden houses
If you get the job of mowing the lawn of your home and all the other houses in the neighborhood, you will already be on your way to earning a good amount. You will be able to mow the lawns, collect all the leaves and take care of the gardens at the same time. Consider it a single long day of work for which you will be paid several times.
- If you don't live in an area where there are many houses with gardens, you can still try gardening. Get taken to a neighborhood with lots of gardens. The closer they are, the easier your task will be.
- Your elderly neighbors will be the most likely to hire young guys to care for the lawn.
Step 2. Mow the lawns.
In the summer months, one of the best ways to make money is to ask all your neighbors if you can cut the grass for them. Mowing the lawn can really be a nuisance for the landlord, and by taking care of it in your free time you can earn a lot.
- Ask your parents to advance the cost of the equipment if you do not have a lawn mower available. For your birthday, ask for an old lawn mower as a gift.
- In some cases, customers will ask you to use their equipment. If they get them a lawn mower, so much the better.
- Set aside some cash for equipment. You have to pay the petrol cost of the lawn mower out of your own pocket, or you can try asking your parents for a hand.
Step 3. Collect the leaves and trim the hedges.
In late summer and early autumn there will be less need to mow the grass, but your customers will have to take care of other activities in their gardens. Be prepared to rake the leaves, put them in bags and remove other debris from the gardens, such as pine cones, twigs and acorns.
All you need is a sturdy rake and plastic bags for this job. In some cases, you can even do without bags. Easy and fast
Step 4. In winter, shovel the snow from the paths.
When the cold season arrives, the mower will rest in the garage for some time. In many regions, however, it is necessary to take care of the snow. Don't stop working when it's cold. Get a nice sturdy shovel and ask the neighbors if you can clear snow from their driveways.
Step 5. Clean the gutters in the spring
After the long winter, the gutters are often clogged and need to be cleaned. In most cases, to do this, simply remove the leaves and twigs that have accumulated inside and throw them in the bags.
- Even if you live in an area where the weather is great, your gutters should be cleaned regularly to keep them from becoming clogged with sticks, leaves and other debris.
- Since you have to climb a ladder or roof for this job, it can be dangerous. Ask your parents if they agree with this idea.
Step 6. Help with the harvest
In rural areas, many farmers hire young boys for the harvest. If you live in the countryside, keep an eye on agricultural equipment shops and local markets for job offers. It will be hard work, but you will finish the job in no time (a couple of weeks at the most) and get paid well. The following jobs are opportunities for kids from all regions:
- Collect fruits, such as peaches, apples, cherries and berries.
- Harvest.
- Helping to grind wheat or other grains.
- Collect potatoes.
- Shell the corn cobs.
- Collect chicken eggs.
Method 4 of 4: Other Ways to Earn
Step 1. Take the dogs for a walk
Ask neighbors to take their dogs out for a small fee. If many of your neighbors have pets and if you love spending time with dogs, this is a great way to make some money.
Think about which neighbors work during the day during the summer holidays. If you have the option of taking their dogs out rather than staying indoors doing nothing, take it
Step 2. Do some chores in your home
Talk to your parents and ask to do more chores for money. If you can get paid for simple commissions, without having to leave the house, you will make easy money. Your parents might even put in a good word with the neighbors. One day, do all of the following and explain to your parents that you will continue to do so if they pay you regularly:
- Clean the kitchen and wash the dishes.
- Take out the rubbish.
- Tidy up the living room.
- Clean the bathroom.
- Tidy up the garage and attic.
- Clean your room to perfection.
Step 3. Help people who have computer or phone problems
If you are good with computers, you can use this skill to help those who don't understand technology as much as you do.
- You can help people create email accounts, Facebook pages, and other profiles on social networks. Find someone who needs to upload and edit photos. Help him print and make photocopies.
- Find older people who need help with their tech devices. Start with your grandparents and ask them to talk about you with friends and acquaintances, describing your abilities.
Step 4. Ask your parents for pocket money
If you are very young and need money, your parents may be willing to give it to you. Ask what chores you can do around the house, or ask for money to help you achieve certain school goals. Work harder in school if your parents promised you money in exchange for good grades. Alternatively, get rewarded when you take care of the pets or the garden.
If your parents aren't giving you pocket money, try a different tactic. On your next birthday, don't ask for gifts but for money
Step 5. Sell something
You don't have to be an adult to sell something at a banquet. If you want to make some money, you can sell items and make a profit by choosing the right price. Below you will find some ideas on what you can offer.
- Sell homemade treats.
- Open a lemonade stand.
- Perform on the street playing an instrument or singing.
- Sell food.
- Sell handcrafted jewelry.
- Sell original works of art.
Advice
- Ask for reasonable rates or no one will pay for your services.
- Bring a communication device with you if you leave home to work.
- Always beware of strangers!
- Offer to read to young children or help them with their homework.
- Make sure you love what you do! Commit to your work.
- Answer surveys on the internet.
- If you are good at cooking, ask your friends and family if your food is good enough to sell.
- You can sell items on eBay, but make sure your parents agree.
- Be kind and honest with everyone. Nobody likes rude people!
Warnings
- Make sure you always ask your parents for permission before selling anything and only help people you trust.
- Some jobs require you to visit your neighbors door-to-door. Remember that it is not a good idea to meet strangers without adult supervision.
