Everybody enjoys shopping for their own personal clothing. Maybe you want to buy your own personal vehicle. Perhaps you simply want money to buy food with friends. You may be thinking, how do I make money as a teenager? Well, you are in good company, as financial independence is a goal for many American adolescents.
Fortunately, there are many opportunities available to you. Because of the internet, the way in which we earn money has drastically changed. You are no longer limited to physical jobs like mowing grass. You are able to get a job online or even start your own business.
Many of these ideas are also considered side income opportunities, similar to the methods explained in our guide on how to earn money on the side. You can even make money simply by using your smartphone.
In this guide, we describe 15 legitimate ways to earn some cash as a minor. Rather than giving a list, we took the time to identify ways to earn money, ensuring they are age-appropriate and safe for teens.
1. Sell Your Old Stuff Online
You may have clothes that you don’t wear. Maybe you have some old video games. These are items that can be turned into cash. Currently, apps like Depop and Poshmark are popular. All teens are using them.
Make sure to take quality photos of what you want to sell. Be honest as to whether there is any damage to the items, and make a description. When you sell something, make sure to ship it quickly. It will help you to build a good reputation. When you have a good reputation, you attract more buyers. This is a great starting step if you are feeling the urge to make cash as a teen without needing an adult boss.
2. Walk Dogs in Your Neighborhood
Pets are loved. They are also a lot of work to take care of. People usually work long hours and need an extra helping hand. This is where dog walking comes in. It is a wonderful job for active teens, and you will also get some good exercise.
Start with your own neighbors, and hand out some flyers to them. Tell them you will be responsible and give them your dog walking rates. You can charge $15 to $20 for a half-hour walk with a dog. Easy cash.
3. Tutor Other Students
Do you know how to do math? Can you speak another language? You can assist other individuals. Parents really appreciate tutors. They wish for their children to excel academically.
You can assist kids in elementary school. You can also assist your high school classmates. A teaching certificate is not a requirement. All that is required is understanding. You should be able to articulate your thoughts. Many tutors charge $20 or more per hour. You can make a lot of money doing this as a teenager.
4. Start a YouTube Channel
Starting this will take a lot of time. You will not become wealthy instantly. You will also be able to make a lot of money in the future. Find something you enjoy doing. You can do gaming. You can also do makeup tutorials. You can also vlog.
Be steady. Make sure to upload videos consistently. Reply to your comments. You will be able to profit from the money generated from ads as long as you obtain a sufficient number of views. You may also obtain sponsorships. It requires effort. However, it is extremely beneficial. It teaches you how to edit videos and how to sell things.
5. Manage Social Media for Local Businesses
Next time you walk through a small town, pay attention to the shops. Pizza shops, for example. Do they have a nice Instagram account? Nope. Most adults don’t have the time or experience to design social media pages, while you have grown up with the Internet and social media. Creating and running accounts is a seamless experience for you.
Include customer engagement in your services and charge a monthly subscription fee for your services. Most small businesses could help you earn $300 per month. For running accounts, you could charge $100 per month and run $3 accounts.
6. Freelance Writing or Design
Have you ever written a story or created a piece of art that you were really proud of? If writing and designing are your thing, those are valuable skills. You can make some money on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Keep in mind that a lot of sites like that require you to be over 18. If you are underage, get your parents to help you make an account.
Think of services you can offer. For example, you could blog and write articles. You can design promotional tools and social media posts. Clients return when they like what you’re doing, so service is just as important as the skills. That is how you answer the question, How do I make money as a teenager?
7. Wash Cars
You will have to go out and wash cars. It still works. People value the cars they own but hate to wash them. All you need is a bucket and soap. You can also go to a hardware store to grab a sponge.
Get a Saturday with good weather and go around your neighborhood. Ask if they need a car wash or detail. Do a good job so they can recommend you to other people. Clean the wheels. And if you can, vacuum the inside. Make a full detail job and charge them 30 or 40 bucks. You could make 60 bucks a week, and that’s a good amount of income.
8. Stream on Twitch
If you spend a lot of time playing video games, you could make some extra money while doing so. You could make money by streaming your gameplay on a platform called Twitch.
To have people join and watch, you need to have a good personality. You need to entertain the people in the chat. You do not need to be good at the game. However, you need to be fun to watch play. You could make money through subs and donations. This will take some time to build up.
9. Sell Handmade Crafts
Are you crafty? Do you make jewelry? Do you knit? You can sell creations on Etsy and at a local craft fair. Unique items that aren’t mass-produced sell well. Calculate your costs before you start and make sure to charge enough to cover materials and your time. Custom items can often sell for more, and people love to buy gifts that are made by hand.
If you enjoy building something long-term, some of these ideas can even grow into small ventures like those covered in our list of 12 unique business ideas.
10. Do Yard Work
This is a seasonal job. In summertime, you can mow lawns. In autumn, you can rake leaves. In winter, you will be shoveling snow. This can be hard work, but it also pays well. People often will pay $40 for a driveway to get shoveled. You can get $30 for mowing some lawns. If you get 5 regular clients, you will be set for a consistent income. It also teaches you the value of hard work.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old do I have to be to work?
14 is the usual age for starting formal work in the USA. Babysitting and other informal jobs allow you to start earlier.
2. How can I get paid over the internet if I don’t have a bank account?
If you are 18 or older, you can use PayPal. However, your parents can open a custodial account for you if you’re younger.
3. Is it true that I do not have to pay taxes?
Not quite; you have to pay taxes if your earnings are higher than a specific amount, so keep track of all the money you earn.
4. Can I work if I have a busy school schedule?
Sure. Standalone jobs like walking dogs and online surveys can help you earn money and fit your school hours.
