There are no two ways about it – it is expensive to have a teenager today. Here are a few ways to stretch the budget for your teenager, or let them earn their own money!
From keeping up with the latest in shoe and clothing trends to the needing to have the latest and greatest gadgets – it can be a huge budget-buster to have a teenager in your house.
However, encouraging your teenagers to set out and earn their own money will do more than ease the financial strain on your wallet. It will also teach them several valuable lessons about the value of a dollar, about what it takes to earn that dollar, and it will teach them a level of financial responsibility that no other lesson could.
1Going Retail For Discounts
It is a well-known fact that the majority of retail stores offer their employees a store discount.
This can save your teenager as much as 40% off of their favorite items.
If your teen has a fondness for expensive electronics, working at an electronics store could help them to get their much-wanted gadgets at a much lower price.
Teenagers can make money working at a shoe or clothing retailer too.
It can provide your teenager with access to more than a great employee discount; it can provide them with access to the hottest trends – before many of their friends are able to purchase them!
Of course, they will be earning money as well!
The Food Service Industry
Teenagers can make money working at a fast food restaurant, or a regular sit-down restaurant.
While the food service industry doesn’t pay a steady wage, it could provide a chipper and customer-oriented teen with the opportunity to earn a decent amount in tips at a sit-down restaurant.
Beyond servers, there are also bus boy jobs and other behind-the-scenes positions that an ambitious teenager can make money working at.
Using The Internet
There are many ways that ambitious teenagers can make money using the internet.
Auction Websites
Buying and selling goods using an auction website, like eBay, can prove to be very profitable.
Selling Used Items
Many people find an amazing market in purchasing pre-owned designer brands of clothing locally via websites like Craigslist, or in thrift shops and then reselling them online.
While this may prove to be somewhat time consuming, an ambitious teenage could find that there really are no limit to the amount of money that he can make going this route.
Freelance Work
Additionally, there are many online freelance websites that can offer a teenager with solid writing, web programming, web design, and marketing skills the opportunity to earn money while completing tasks that businesses of all size outsource.
Babysitting - Beefed Up
Babysitting has always been a great job where teenagers can make money.
The old standby has taken on new meaning as more parents of young children find themselves with the need to work multiple jobs in order to make ends meet.
If your teenager has access to a reliable vehicle, he may be able to land a job as a babysitter or nanny in the afternoons, early evenings and during the summer.
Taking care of small children is a big responsibility so only teenagers who are capable of demonstrating high levels of responsibility should consider taking on a babysitting or nanny position.
Veterinarian Offices
Many veterinarian offices have positions that are suitable for a teenager. These positions include helping to care for animals who are being boarded at the vet’s facility, or animals that are recovering from surgery and other procedures.
It may not be the most glamorous of positions in the world but it will allow a teenager with an interest in animals and veterinary science an opportunity to study a veterinarian practice.
Teenagers can make money while gaining experience to determine if this really is the career path that he is interested in.
Jobs available at a veterinarian’s office are not just limited to the back office work that is needed. You may find that several busy practices offer a part-time receptionist position that requires little more than mastering the phone system and setting appointments.
Self Employment - It's Possible!
If your teen is more entrepreneurial minded, you may find that encouraging him to start up his own business is the best place where your teenagers can make money.
Naturally the type of business that he starts will depend greatly on his skills and his willingness to earn money. However, with a bit of hard work and perseverance, he may find that this is a great way to learn all there is to know about the business world.
• Lawn Service
A teenager with a truck, a lawnmower, and an edger could find that setting up his own lawn service business is incredibly profitable during the spring and summer months.
Not only will homeowners be less likely to feel the urge to mow their lawns during the sweltering summer days but they may also have other odd jobs about their home that a handy teenager could help out with.
From prepping flower beds to helping to paint a kitchen – there are many jobs that homeowners would be willing to pay for reliable help!
• Pet Sitting
Working as a pet sitter and dog walker could be a great option for a reliable and responsible teenager who is looking to spend more time around animals.
Many pet owners are more than willing to pay someone to come in and help to take care of their pets while they are at work, on a business trip, or even on vacation.
• Green Thumb Gardening
If your teenager has a green thumb, then you may want to suggest that they look into setting up a vegetable garden in your yard. Not only will this help to keep them active and on the go all year round, but the produce that is grown can be sold at local farmers markets or simply to your friends and neighbors who are interested in home grown fresh produce.
Yes, Teenagers Can Make Money
There are many employment opportunities for how teenagers can make money all year round; the trick is to find a position that your teenager will excel at and encourage them to pursue it. What a wonderful way to teach financial responsibility – while easing the burden on your own wallet!
