Child labor laws regulate what jobs teens can hold and at what age. Teens that are too young to get a job are between a rock and a hard place when they need more money than their weekly allowance offers. Here are seven ways that teenagers can make some extra green, whether they are just under working age or right in the middle of it.
1. Babysitting A classic job for teenagers, babysitting jobs are usually easy to come by in the local neighborhood. Teens may have already shown their ability to baby-sit at home and it won't be difficult to start taking care of other people's children. If they don't feel confident in their ability to care for babies, they can choose to only care for toddlers and younger children.
2. Mowing lawns Since most neighbors would prefer to give their money to a hardworking kid than a professional lawn care service, teenagers can make mowing lawns into a moderately lucrative business during the spring and summer. The teen will need a planner to make sure they keep up with all the appointments they have made and avoid double booking times or days in addition to a good lawnmower and work ethic.
3. Assisting senior citizens Teenagers can help care for the needs of elderly neighbors who need assistance around the house with small jobs such as yard work. Older teenagers could also offer to drive senior citizens to the grocery store and various appointments. Parents can help their kids make handouts describing services they will offer and the price they plan to charge.
4. Caring for pets Many dog owners have busy schedules and find it difficult to spend the time necessary to train and exercise a dog, especially puppies, properly. A teenager who already has experience caring for their own pet at home could start a pet care service that is as simple as just walking dogs or they could choose to offer additional services like grooming.
5. Apply for work at a department store. See if they like retail work. They can apply for a summer job or seasonal work at the mall. One advantage is a discount on clothing and other merchandise in the store.
6. Organizing the garage Getting a disastrous garage organized can be a daunting task, but it can also be a great way for a teenager to earn some money. Parents can negotiate a price based on exactly what they want their son or daughter to do before the work is done.
7. Start a business on the Internet. Kids are usually savvier than parents when it comes to navigating the Internet. EBay offers a forum for selling goods and services. A teen with a talent can make cash here. Does your teen want to write? Use that reporter's instinct to create articles for sites like Associated Content and get paid for them.
Teenagers today have more options than ever before of making extra money. Explore these seven ways as a start. Your teen may already have an idea in mind.