What Are Good Ways to Make Money at 14?
Being a young teenager is a fun and exciting time of change and maturity development. Sometimes this stage between childhood and young adulthood is frustrating, because kids want the independence that having their own money provides, but they aren't quite old enough to work in many public workplaces yet. In actuality, there are many jobs a 14-year-old can do to earn extra money, if he's willing to think outside the box.
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Dog Walking
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In residential neighborhoods, it seems that more people have dogs than don't. However, an increasing number of families are financially dependent upon all of the adults in a household working. The problem with this contrast is that dogs may not get a proper amount of exercise through walks and playing. Create a flier that lists the health benefits for dogs that are walked and remind people that dogs who get sufficient exercise are more well-behaved in the home. Put your name and contact information on the flier with a statement offering to walk and play with a family's dog for a set amount of time at a reasonable rate. Be sure to ask your parents before distributing fliers, and you may want to restrict your services to a geographical proximity close to your home so that you do not have to walk very far or get a ride somewhere just to spend a half-hour dog walking and entertaining.
Baby-Sitting
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Baby-sitting is by far the most popular of teen jobs. Good baby sitters are hard to come by and yet families are busier than ever in our fast-paced society. Distribute a flier to friends, family, neighbors and even elementary school parents offering your baby-sitting services. Be realistic in the number of children you can handle and be honest about your experience when someone calls you inquiring about your services or wanting to meet you. Most people understand that a 14-year-old may have never changed a diaper or warmed a bottle of formula, and they may be willing to "train" you and teach you these important life skills. Even if you don't get the job, at least you don't end up in a situation that puts yourself or the children you're watching in any danger due to your inexperience. To gain babysitting experience, offer to be a "Mom's Helper." At this level of baby-sitting, the parent would be home, but you would be responsible for watching over the children by playing with them, taking them for walks, changing diapers (or learning how to) or even warming up dinner and helping clean up the playroom.
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Residential Cleaning
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Having a "maid" or "cleaning lady" is particularly popular in suburban neighborhoods. However, cleaning services that carry years of experience and a vast number of references come with a hefty price tag. Many households eventually divert away from having a regular cleaning person simply due to the expense. Some never hire anyone because it simply does not fit their budget. As a teenager, you could offer your cleaning services at a lower rate than that of a certified cleaning business, with the understanding that your experience is more limited, but your abilities are sufficient. In your flier, state that you can do "light household chores" and help with things like laundry, dishes and project-type cleanups. Many parents would be thrilled to pay someone a few dollars to crawl under their toddler's bed and get all those dirty socks and Legos out, washed and put away. With a buildup of good references under your belt, you can eventually begin your own cleaning business and charge clients a higher fee, offer more in-depth services and earn a generous income through later high school years and college.
Teach Internet Skills
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While using the Internet may come as second nature to you, keep in mind that the World Wide Web really only made it's debut at a public level in the early 1990s. Many people middle-aged and older are overwhelmed and intimidated by computers, let alone navigating the Internet. Many people who are not Internet-savvy do not have time or money to take an expensive course on Internet basics, but would love to be able to use a mouse and keep up with loved ones on a social networking site, go shopping online or send an e-mail. Post a sign up at a nearby apartment building, church, condominium lobby or senior citizen center and offer to walk people through the basics of using a computer and the Internet, for a reasonable session fee.
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References
- Photo Credit teen and apple image by William Berry from Fotolia.com
