The next time your kids or teen needs something new, why not suggest that they earn some money on their own. Sit down with this list and see if there is anything on it that they would like to do to earn some cash. Of course you want to encourage them to be frugal about their money, and when they have to earn it on their own, it may bring the money value lesson on the forefront of their thinking.
Obviously, you want to keep the child’s age in mind as you review this list. A five-year-old would find it difficult to clean out someone’s garage, while a 15-year-old would feel ridiculous selling lemonade. Some ideas can cross age boundaries, though, such as gathering old items for a yard sale.
Have fun and see if this list generates some of your own new ideas.
- Selling lemonade
- Selling toys at a yard sale
- Bringing their old clothing to consignment
- Growing and selling produce
- Growing and selling flowers
- Lawn mowing and yard work
- Selling pencils, stickers or small toys (get them in a gross at Oriental Trading or at a wholesale supply)
- Cleaning out someone’s garage
- Baby sitting
- Pet sitting and dog walking
- Raising and selling small pets, such as birds or rabbits (check your town’s regulations, and make sure your child is responsible)
- Raising chickens and selling eggs
- Carrying groceries up apartment stairs for people
- Gathering change around the house
- Baking and selling muffins or cookies
- Sweeping sidewalks and driveways
- Painting fences
- Teach a skill, such as swimming or computers
- Make and sell greeting cards (check with a local business and ask if you can sell them there)
- Take instant photos at an event, such as a fair or festival
- Tutor someone younger
- Make and sell jewelry
- Weed gardens
- Deliver newspapers
- Wash cars
- Type papers and documents
- Be a party entertainer (magic, clown, etc)
- Be a party helper (help harried parents with setting up a birthday party, serving food, corralling young kids)
- Face painting
- Mother’s helper
- Snow removal
- Mr or Miss Fix it (assemble bikes, hang picture frames and do minor and safe repairs)
- Paint and sell rocks as paperweights or worry stones
- Make and sell birdhouses
- Wash windows
- Sell cold bottled water at the park or the beach
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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