Six Ways For Kids To Make Money
Posted: Friday, March 24, 2006
by Steve Gillman
http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com
Most of us know the usual ways for kids to make money, which include lemonade stands, newspaper routes and mowing lawns. However, there are more unusual ways. Some of the ways listed below are from my own childhood, when I was always looking for another way to make money.
1. Be a chef. At about eleven years old, I used to sell meals to my brothers (I had four of them). I got 25 cents for scrambled eggs or a sandwich, and more for more complicated meals. My brothers preferred to stay in front of the TV and let me cook for them. Since the food was already provided by my parents, the income was pure profit.
3. Household carnival. I charged my brothers five cents for a wadded up piece of paper selected from a bucket full of them. Most had a penny or two inside them, but a few had a quarter. It was just one of my "carnival" events. I also had them throwing pennies at a bowl across the room, which I kept, of course. If a penny stayed in the bowl they won a dime. I'm almost embarrassed to say how much of their hard-earned paper route money I took from them.
4. Collect returnables. We collected and returned cans and bottles for a deposit as kids. Now that more states have return laws, it's an even better way to make a little cash. During the Cherry Festival, when I lived in Traverse City, Michigan, adults came to town just to collect the cans that people threw all over. With a 10 cent deposit, they were collecting more than $100 worth per day according to several of them. If the kids wear gloves, leave broken cans and bottles alone, and use hand sanitizer, this is a safe way to make money.
5. Personal services menu. If there are many people in the family, a great way for kids to make money is to sell their services. They can make a menu of things they'll do and how much they charge for each. It might include washing windows for 50 cents each, for example, and maybe $1.50 to walk a dog. If the list is copied, it could be handed out to all relatives and possibly neighbors too.
6. Rummage sales and flea markets. If parents agree, kids can have rummage sales, selling not just household things, but arts and crafts and refreshments too. Parents might even take their kids to a flea market to set up a stand. I sold (as an adult) more than $1,000 of hand-made walking sticks one summer, while my wife sold hundreds of dollars worth in pewter figurines glued to rocks, sea shells and crystals. Cookies and drinks sell well too. It's a great way to learn about business, and a good way for kids to make money.
Steve Gillman has been studying money for thirty years (and sometimes making a little). For interesting and useful information, visit his website, Unusual Ways To Make Money http://www.UnusualWaysToMakeMoney.com
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More commentsI am totally broke, 13, and living in the big apple. I really really want an ipod touch (ya i know it sounds cheesy) Right now I have like not even 5 bucks in my pocket. Do you guys have any idea how i can start earning some cash??? Thanx :D
I need money for an ipod touch $83.44 to be exact but i want more for accsessories. please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!well i think you can ask your parents if you can help around the house for some money,or you can have a yard sell and get some money from some of your stuff that you dont want.!!!!!!!!!
heya! listen i need alot of help on raising money i need about £250 as i am trying to rais money to but a sphynx cat? they are very expensive and i really need to raise the money? eny suggestions please comment i want one so bed?.
Heyy me and ma bestie really want to go on a shopping trip but we are so skint :/ is the any ways that would get us some money fast? Btw we are only 11! :L please help! :)
I'm turning 13 next week. I've been walking dogs and raking leaves and mowing lawns and such. If it helps, doing that got me like $225.00...... Those ways are good to get people a lot of money.happy birthday lol
hey i am 11 going to 13 i need money very bad i have 6 types of animals and i want to show my mom some responsiblty because she thinks i am going to ask my grand ma for the money and some times i feel really bad for doing that cause my grandma is not rich SO I WANNA PROVE MY MOM WRONG P.S wright me on face book my name is bree toofastforyoulynn lol plez tell me how i can get money
I think that this article has great ideas .but my family is not goingto do that .but Iam thankful for that advice later . but I love looking for new ideas for makeing money because I am saving up for a ipod.
I'm 13 and I got a legal job as a caddy at a country club. It is really good money, rich people pay you to carry their stuff and then might tip you. One summer you could make an easy 500$. I also cut grass for relatives. They tend to be more generous than strangers. I made 450$ just cutting grass last Summer, plus the caddying will be almost 1000$ in 3 months, not bad. I also started 2 months earlier than last year on the cutting so I should have at least 1000$ by the end of the Summer, glad I could help!
hey i need to make a quick 50 bucks cause i really wanna buy some golf clubs. got any ideas?
i relly want to get a new phone and some cute new clothes but i dont have any money HELP!!!
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