My daughter is hunting for a summer job, so she can earn money to purchase this.
She’s seven.
I told her that if she picked up her toys, set the table for dinner and help fold towels, at least five days a week, I’d give her $5.
She turned down my offer.
“I want to walk dogs for money,” she replied dryly. “Not fold towels.”
Well, then, I sure hope our neighbors don’t turn her down when she solicits her services or she’s going to be one poor kid this summer.
And by poor, I mean the Bank of Mommy is closed.
Entrepreneurship comes in handy when you are looking for summer work. This is especially true if you are a child under 13 years old looking to make money while school is out. Technically, kids younger than 13 can’t work for money due to child labor laws, save for small tasks, such as delivering newspapers and babysitting.
Once a child turns 14 he can apply for a work permit, and be on the clock for a set amount of time. Depending on the state in which your child is planning to gain employment he can work longer hours during the summer months. For example, in Massachusetts, children 14 years and older can work until 9 p.m. from June through the end of August. However, there are several stipulations regarding the type of job teens can apply for. Kids under 16 are not allowed to hold down a job where they are required to work around fire, carry heavy materials or scale tall structures. They can, however, apply for jobs stocking shelves at a grocery store, bussing tables at a local restaurant, taking tickets at a movie theater or cleaning kennels at a pet hospital.
The type of job, hours and compensation should be discussed with a parent prior to accepting a job, especially if the child id relying on mom or dad for transportation to and from work. Parents should also encourage working kids to start a savings account to avoid the child blowing all of his pay checks on frivolous items. A little pocket money is great to have, but a summer job and the money that comes with it, should be used as a tool to teach lessons about budgeting and building a strong financial future.