How do you make money at 13? Chances are, if you’re 13 and reading this, you don’t have your first job yet.
And that’s probably fine—you’ve got plenty of time to find your path in life!
But when you get older, it will be easier to make money if you get into the habit of making some when you’re younger. That way, by the time you’re looking for your first real gig, your skills will be well-honed and your resume will look great!
How kids can make money online
Like it or not, your kids are probably spending a ton of time on their computers or phones. And why shouldn’t they? They can now play games that make them smarter, share photos and videos with friends, or even learn about pretty much anything in an instant.
But one area you might want to keep an eye on is how much time your kids spend online for work purposes. There are plenty of websites and apps out there designed specifically for kids looking to make some extra cash from doing fun tasks — from rating local restaurants in exchange for gift cards to finding bargains as they search online.
Ways teens can make extra cash
If you’re a teen who needs cash, there are a number of ways you can make some extra dough that doesn't require much in terms of skills or education. Just remember, however, that making money isn’t about what your parents think—it’s about paying for life necessities and having a little fun with your friends.
That said, teens shouldn’t work too many hours and should be sure to get enough sleep and physical activity each day.
Teens also need to steer clear of harmful works and substances while they earn their cash—after all, saving up is no good if you are too sick to enjoy it.
Should you let your child have a part-time job?
Part-time jobs are a good way for teens to learn about personal finances, responsibility and self-esteem. In fact, even giving kids chores has been shown to boost self-confidence and decrease anxiety.
Having a job can also be a great confidence booster for children, helping them feel like they’re capable of making an impact on their world.
Just make sure your child is mature enough (emotionally and mentally) for such an experience before encouraging him or her in that direction.
Encourage teens to invest some of their income
Children can put some of their income or allowance towards saving and earning interest by investing in a Roth IRA or SIPP. Investing allows children to save their money in order to make more of it in years ahead, while having fun doing it.
Because no minimum deposit is required, kids are able to invest as much or as little as they want of their allowance each month.
Consider an investment portfolio that tracks major market indices like S&P 500 or Russell 3000 or UK100 for long-term results without too much risk if your child is still young.
Set up automatic transfers from your child’s bank account every time his or her balance reaches a predetermined amount—like £/$10 or £/$25 per week—to ensure he won’t spend all his allowance too quickly before it can be invested.
Ways kids and teens can get paid for doing chores around the house
1. Offer a service like walking dogs or babysitting.
2. Collect things you can sell online, such as baseball cards or Pokémon cards.
3. Wash cars, paint fences and rake leaves for neighbors and other adults in your neighborhood for extra cash.
4. Make handcrafted items that you can sell online—this is especially good if you have skills with crafts such as sewing or making jewelry from your favorite colored beads or rocks from a beach vacation!
Tips for getting your teen a part-time job
Finding a part-time job for your teen is an excellent way to teach them skills and help them make money. If you aren't sure where to start, here are some tips:
Use their hobbies: Does your teen enjoy photography? Sell photos they take of local events or people.
Do they like sports? See if you can set up some type of concession stand at a local sporting event.
Are they into arts and crafts? Offer handmade products for sale on Etsy.
Use their talents: Help your teen find something that requires skill and then sell their talents.
This could be as simple as mowing lawns or doing yard work for people in your neighborhood.
How to Make Money at 13 - The Bottom Line
You might want to consider an after-school job, picking up extra chores around your house or selling old toys on eBay or Craigslist.
Before spending your hard-earned cash on new stuff, ask yourself if you really need it and try making do with what you already have.
Saving up for big purchases is usually a smart way to spend your money, but only if you're absolutely sure about what you're buying and can save for months without getting bored of not buying anything.
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