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Dear Dish-it: How Can I Make Money?

Feb 15, 2013

Dear Dish-it,

I do chores around the house, but my parents won’t give me an allowance  All my friends have allowance money so they can buy things and do things, but I can’t. I’m too young to get a real job. How can I make money?

Broke

Dear Broke,

It sounds like you’re at the tough preteen age where you have the freedom to hit the town with your friends, but no access to a regular paycheck. That’s rough. But there are ways to earn a little cash flow, even if your parents won’t give you an allowance. If the typical options like a paper route, a lemonade stand or holding a sign on the sidewalk for a local business don’t interest you, there is another option. But you’ll have to be willing to put in the work.  

Become an Entrepreneur

There’s a great website you should check out. It’s called Kidworth and it’s free to sign up. It was designed to help kids ages 6 to 18 who have an entrepreneurial spirit to make their own money. It’s a really simple concept and it’s easy to sign up.

Job Ideas

Essentially, you would be starting your business. It’s your choice what you’d like to sell, your services or products. If you’re good with manual labor, here’s a list of ideas:

  • Lawn mowing
  • Gardening
  • Leaf Raking
  • Snow Shoveling
  • Car Washing
  • House Cleaning
  • Window Washing

If you’re good with people or pets, you could offer any of these:

  • Babysitting
  • Dog Walking
  • Pet Sitter
  • Assisting the Elderly
  • School Tutoring, if you’re good at a particular subject.
  • Sport Tutoring, if you’re good at a particular sport.
  • Fitness Training, if you know a lot about fitness.
  • Tech Help, if you’re good with computers.

If you’re creatively talented, you could offer any of these:

  • Art
  • Website Design
  • Logo Design
  • Knitted Products
  • Handmade Greeting Cards
  • Handmade Jewelry or Key Chains
  • Friendship Bracelets
  • Event Photography

Get creative. Think about what you’re good at. Use the website to help you build a business. Or you could always do it on your own by handing out flyers or hanging some on community notice boards. Good luck and good fortune!

Have Your Say

Do you have job ideas for Broke? Tell us in our comment section below!