How to Encourage Teens to Make Money Creatively

Offer instrument lessons to make extra money.

A willing teen with a creative spirit can devise multiple ways to make money. Teen entrepreneurs learn valuable lessons about responsibility and money management. Parents can assist by helping teens brainstorm and supporting their efforts. Parents should also monitor a teen's workload to ensure that enough time is set aside for schoolwork, activities, friends and family.

Instructions

1. Start a service business to fill a need in the neighborhood. Babysitting, lawn mowing, car washing, house cleaning, snow clearing and similar ventures are all good choices for a teen whose schedule may vary. Advertise with a flyer or by word of mouth. Parents may need to help with seed money for supplies.

2. Perform computer design services. A teen who enjoys working on the computer can put those skills to work designing websites, blogs and social media pages for others.

3. Make jewelry or other craft items for sale. A teen with an eye for fashion and steady hands can design and create original pieces in her spare time. Sell the items at craft fairs or flea markets, or offer them for sale online.

4. Design and sell T-shirts, stickers, mugs and other items through an online store, a venture that suits artistic teens and teens with an ear for pop-culture trends. A virtual storefront is free to open and costs nothing to stock. The teenager earns a royalty for each item sold.

5. Work as a personal or a virtual assistant. Either in person or online, an assistant helps with tasks like filing, organizing, research, editing and mailing. Many people need assistance for a few hours at a time, so this is a job that a teen can perform after school and between other activities.

6. Tutor or teach and put skills and abilities to good use. A teen musician can offer instrument lessons, a math whiz can help other students prepare for tests, and so on.

Tips & Warnings

• Be supportive of your teen' s ideas to make money

• If your teen will be working in someone's home, make sure you know that person and remain in touch with your teen.

References

• "Quick Cash for Teens"; Peter Bielagus; 2009