Clever Ways For Teens To Make Money

If you’re a teen and interested in earning some money of your own, you’re not alone. Many teens are looking for ways they can make money to cover expenses. I mean, there are things to buy – clothes, entertainment costs, electronic gadgets. Many teens also need to save up for cars, college costs and other big purchases.

If your are one of the many teens who needs or wants to earn money to cover these costs, read on. Choose the ones you think will work best for you, and start earning today!

1. Searching the Web

There is a legit site calledSwagbuckswhere people actually get paid for browsing the Internet and more. The points you earn are put into a “bank” and can be redeemed for gift cards to be used on Amazon or at local and online stores such as Walmart, Target and Old Navy.

You can also get gift cards to PayPal with Swagbucks. Bonus: the tasks you need to do to earn points with Swagbucks are tasks you can do in your spare time. Swagbucks will pay you points to complete small tasks such as:

• complete surveys

• play games

• search the Web

• watch videos

• shop online

And more. Using your Swagbucks account in your spare time will allow you to make money to pay for the things you need or want.Best of all, it’s free to join.

2. Run a Farmer’s Market Stand

Many local farmer’s markets charge money when adults set up a stand, but allow kids to do so for free. If you’ve got a small area in your yard, you could grow vegetables to sell at a farmer’s market. You could also sell baked goods or specialty foods at a farmer’s market.

Farmer’s Market vendors sell a variety of items besides fresh fruits and vegetables. Some sell dessert breads, cookies or muffins. Others sell canned jellies, pickles and other items they canned from their own fruits or vegetables.

There was a group of teens at our local farmer’s market that used to make brick oven pizzas and breads at the local farmer’s market.

It’s important to check your state’s laws about farmer’s market foods before selling baked goods or specialty foods. However, many states’ food laws don’t apply to farmer’s market booths.

3. Dog Walking

If you’re looking to earn money by helping animals but want a less time-intensive job, you could offer dog walking services.

Many people don’t have time to walk their dogs but want their dogs to get exercise. These people will pay a decent hourly rate to have someone else walk their dog a few times a week.

Advertise your services with neighborhood flyers, on Facebook or at local pet stores. Decide ahead of time how much you’ll charge clients to walk their dogs for specified periods of time.

If you’re walking dogs that get along with other dogs, you can walk several at once and increase your income. An organized schedule will help you keep track of your dog walking job commitments.

4. House Sit

If you have a neighbor, friend or family member who is going on vacation, they may want to hire a house sitter to make sure their home isn’t vacant while they’re away.

Depending on what they want, house-sitting clients may ask you to be there for an hour or two a day. Or maybe they might just want to to check in on the house every day. Some homeowners want a house sitter to live in the house for the entire time they’re gone.

Make sure you get clear instructions about what type of house sitting they’ll want before agreeing to take the job.Negotiate the pay you’ll receive with potential clients and get a signed contract.

5. Work at a Fast Food or Sit-Down Restaurant

Two of my favorite jobs as a teen were working as a cashier at a fast food place and working as a waitress at a local sit-down restaurant.

The fast food job was great because I made a guaranteed hourly wage in a fun environment with fries as a side benefit. The waitress job was terrific because I made awesome tips along with my paycheck. Both were job experiences that allowed me to make serious money as a teen.

If you like the idea of helping serve people food, inquire about jobs at restaurants near you. You could also work as a cook, a busboy/girl or a cashier at local restaurants.

6. Hold a Class at Your Home

If you have a talent such as drawing, painting, or dancing, you could hold classes for neighborhood kids in your yard or home. The classes can be one-time deals or can be held for several days in a row.

For example, you could hold a day camp where kids come to participate in scavenger hunts or other activities.

If you’re going to teach a class to neighborhood kids, you’ll need to create an itinerary. The itinerary should teach them what they want to learn and keep them busy for the entire class time.

Be sure to charge a class fee that makes it worth your time and is affordable for parents.

7. Sell Your Products

Are you gifted at making crafts, jewelry, artwork, woodworking or other items? If so, you can open an Etsy shop and sell your products.

You can also sell your products on sites such as Craigslist oreBay, or sell them at local fairs and events. Be sure to charge prices that cover your materials as well as your time.

8. Sell Your Designs

One way to make money that costs very little money out-of-pocket is to create designs for t-shirts and other items. You make the design, and then upload the design to sites such asRedbubbleorCafepress, Redbubble or CafePress will print ordered designs on items such as t-shirts, tote bags, and iPad covers.

They even take care of shipping and returns.When someone orders an item with your design or saying on it, you get paid commission from the sale.

9. Retail Worker

Many clothing and retail store managers are searching out teens to work cash registers and keep shelves stocked. Retail work can be done seasonally, like during the holidays, or you can work at stores all year around.

A professional appearance, a good attitude and a willingness to be on time count where local retail stores are concerned.

If you have these qualities, you might want to consider a job in retail. Check with clothing, home improvement and big box stores near you for available jobs.

10. Organize Homes or Garages

If you’re good at organization, you can start a business organizing people’s homes or garages. Many people want organized spaces but just aren’t sure where to start.

If you have a knack for that type of work you could be the answer to their prayers. When offering your services, take a thorough look at the job that needs to be done and determine how many hours it will take you.

Then times the number of hours by your desired hourly rate and make that your offered price for the job. You can advertise your services on Facebook, with flyers or with emails. Contact friends, neighbors and family members and let them know about your organizing services.