Finding a legitimate way to make money when you are young is challenging. And while you cannot typically run out and get a job until you are 14-16, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck in terms of making money!
Although it may be challenging to find the right opportunity to make money as a 13-year-old, there are several options.
Sell Things You Don’t Need
Take stock of what you have that you either don’t wear anymore or don’t need.
If you are looking to make some quick cash, there are several places you can list items for sale, such as:
- eBay
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
- Local Sale Sites
Some listings require a small fee and some are free– you’ll need to do your research.
Either way you’ll likely need the help of an adult to list on any sale sites if you are under the age of eighteen. When you list items for sale, keep these things in mind:
Honesty
You always want to present an honest representation of the item you’re selling. The last thing you want is to sell an item that was misrepresented. If parts are missing or there are scratches, be sure to share that information.
Permission
Ask permission before you begin to sell things. While the items may not be necessary to you, your parents may have a different idea. They may also help you find something that you could sell to make some money.
Safety
Always have an adult help you with selling items. It can be challenging to navigate the selling field, and you want to make sure you are doing it correctly and that there are legitimate sellers.
CraftS
If you are artistic and enjoy being creative, you can quickly turn your hobby into a source of income.
If you are ready into starting your own business, there are a few things to remember:
Budget
You will need to set and stick to a budget. It would be best to have an adult help with this plan. Your budget will need to include:
- Start-up fees (to purchase materials to begin the business)
- Supply fees (to replenish supplies as needed)
While you may have many supplies on hand to begin your business, if it takes off, you will likely find yourself in need of more supplies and will subsequently need money to purchase the supplies to keep up with the demand.
Pricing
When you begin selling your crafts, you will want to set a reasonable price. It may seem like a good idea to set the price low so people will buy the item, but if you set it too low, you may not make any profit but instead be out money spent to create your crafts.
To set a price, you want to think about these things:
- How much does it cost for the materials for one item?
- How much time does it take to make?
- How much do I want to make on the sale (profit)?
If you keep these things in mind, you will likely be able to price your item at a level that is appealing to the consumer, yet beneficial to you.
Time
Always keep the amount of time you want to spend creating in mind. If you are busy with activities, you may only have a couple of hours a week to devote to crafting. The time you have to work will determine how much you’ll be able to create.
Create Printables
If you are good with computers and technology, you may make money by creating printable items. You can sell these items on sites like Teachers Pay Teachers and Etsy. You could even create your own website.
Printables are a great way to make money, but you need to follow copyright laws when making them. You must create and sell original content. If you have any part of another person’s work in your document, you could get in trouble so be sure to do your research.
Start A Lemonade Stand
Lemonade stands are a fun way to make a little extra cash.
Just be sure when setting up your lemonade stand, that it’s in a location that you can legally sell in. While the park may seem like the ideal location, laws usually prevent vendors from setting up unless they have a permit.
If you are serious about making a lemonade stand, you may want to obtain the proper sales permit so you can sell from a heavily populated area.
Another option is to stay in your yard on your street to sell. This will eliminate the need for sales permits and may be easier to setup and maintain.
Have A Bake Sale
Some people love to bake. If this is you, then a bake sale may be right up your alley.
Some things to keep in mind about holding a bake sale:
Product
Figuring out what to sell and how much to bake. When you are just starting, it may be better to start with small quantities. This will allow you to see what people prefer without wasting a lot of time and money.
Cost
Baking usually involves a lot of ingredients. You’ll want to make sure you have a clear idea of how much each item costs to make to ensure that your bake sale is profitable.
Location
Find the best place to sell your items.
Price
You will need to carefully set the price of your baked goods to ensure you are covering the cost of ingredients and the amount of time being spent on making the goods.
Flip Items
Another way kids can make money is by flipping items. Many people go to thrift stores to find things that seem to have lost their luster and fix them or clean them up a bit.
If you have a knack for fixing things up you have a potential money making business on your hands
Have A Yard Sale
If you have a lot of things to sell, consider setting up a yard sale. This is a great way to efficiently put all of your items on display. Check for community yard sales in your area also for more opportunities to sell items.
Do Chores
Often, kids will do chores around their house to earn extra money. Depending on your home and your parents’ expectations, these jobs can vary. This needs to be discussed with your family so positions and prices can be determined.
Mow Lawns
One great way to earn extra money is to mow lawns in the summer. If you live in a warm climate, this can be a year-round job. Many people pay someone else to mow their lawn because they either don’t have time or don’t want to do the job.
This type of business can take time to start up, but word of mouth can make your business explode once you have a few faithful clients.
Walk Dogs
Many people will pay individuals to walk their dogs for them. While this job is simple, it can be a great way to earn a few extra dollars.
Pet Sit
When people travel, they don’t always like to board their pets. Not only is boarding expensive, but it can also be stressful for the pets. As a pet sitter, you could spend time taking care of and socializing with peoples’ pets each day.
House Sit
Even if they don’t have pets, you can still offer to house sit for neighbors and friends while they’re traveling. This simple task may involve stopping in to make sure all of the water is off, and the heat and air are working correctly while the owners are away.
Be A Dog Groomer
You can offer to help with simple grooming tasks. This would likely involve brushing and bathing since nail cutting and trimming require extra training.
Rake Leaves
When leaves start falling, it is an endless chore to keep them off the lawn in the fall. Many people choose to hire someone to help with this task. While this job is seasonal, it is a way to earn a few dollars each year.
Wash Cars
Washing cars can be a great way to earn money during the warmer months. People love to have clean cars, but they don’t always like to go to a car wash to have the job done. Not only is it expensive, but it also takes time. Offering a car wash in the neighborhood can be a convenient way to make extra money.
Babysit
Babysitting is a great way to make extra money if you love being around kids. This type of business can spread quickly by word of mouth. One way to make yourself more marketable is by taking a safe sitter course would be wise. Local hospitals and community centers often offer these courses for little to no charge.
Tutor
If you have strong reading, writing, or math skills, you may offer tutoring services to students in your area. Often, tutoring jobs can be long-term if you do a good job and the parents see their child become successful and get good grades.
Blog
Many people have personal blogs to share their thoughts. If you have something you are passionate about, you may want to create a blog all about that topic. By monetizing your blog, you can make a small income.
It is important to note that making money with a blog can be very slow. Because of this, you need to be committed to spending time with it before you see any kind of return.
Design T-Shirts
People love unique t-shirt designs. If you have a knack for creating new designs, this may be a great way to make money. There are different ways to produce the t-shirts you create. You can either send them to a print shop or invest in a vinyl cutter and t-shirt press. You can also use websites like Cafepress where you provide the design and they provide the product.
Host Music Lessons
Parents often search for music lessons for their children. While many professionals offer classes, they can be provided by students. If you are good at playing an instrument, you could offer your services.
Host Art Lessons
You can offer art lessons if there is something that you are particularly good at. Be sure that you are an “expert” in the lessons you offer.
Host Dance Lessons
There are many areas of dance, so there is a wide range of clients that you could attract based on your skillset. Many kids love to dance but don’t want to take classes at a traditional studio.
Host Sport Lessons
If you have an affinity for sports, you may be able to offer lessons at a rate that parents appreciate. Sports lessons don’t need to be complex and will likely not involve purchasing any extra equipment.
Referee
Many youth sports leagues need referees for games. You will likely need to take training to learn how to referee for specific sports, but once you have been trained, you will work at games. The income will likely be seasonal.
Recycle
Collecting and turning in cans and bottles can provide a small income. It will take a lot of work and time to gather enough cans and bottles to make any money, but consistency can pay off.
Sell Stock Photos Online
If you enjoy and have an affinity for taking pictures, there are many websites that allow you to list stock photos on their site. People with websites can go online and purchase images for their use.
Organize
The organization is something many people struggle with within their homes. If you are good at organizing and tidying up or enjoy it, you may offer your services as a home organizer.
Mother’s Helper
Many people struggle to keep up with the day-to-day task of cleaning their homes or various housekeeping chores.. Because of this, many people search to hire someone that can help with these simple tasks.
Paint
You can offer to help paint houses, fences, or other parts of a home that may require painting. You don’t need to have special tools to do this job, but you need to understand how to paint and your limitations.
Create an App
If you are tech-savvy and know what people are looking for, you may be able to create an app that you could sell for both iOS and Android. This is quite an undertaking, but you could be very successful with this venture if you have the knowledge and time.
Set up Technology
Setting up technology can be challenging for anyone, especially older people. With all of the different cables and Wi-Fi connections needed, it can quickly become overwhelming. Because of this, many people will hire someone to set up devices for them.
Start A YouTube Channel
If you love talking, creating, and acting, you may be able to start your own YouTube channel.
Be An Assistant
You may be able to take on the job of being an assistant in an office. This could involve making copies, answering phones, shredding paper, or just running errands in the office.
WriteR
If you enjoy writing and researching, there is a market for these skills.
Many different freelance sites pay people to write for them, but you need to check the age requirements.
Shovel Snow
People are always looking for individuals to help clear snow from their driveways and sidewalks in the winter. Advertising to shovel snow can be a lucrative seasonal business venture if you are up for it.
Bottom Line
Kids of any age can make money, but they will need the support of adults to make it happen. Working to make money is a great way to help teach kids how to budget, save, and become responsible. If you put your mind to something, you can make an income with hard work and consistency.