Quick and Easy Ways Your Teen Can Make Money

While many parents do not make their children pay rent or utilities, many do require that their teens bring in their kr_raking_leavesown spending money. Especially not with the economy the way it is, many parents can no longer fit their teen's luxury purchases into their budget. After keeping up with the bills, there is hardly extra to pay for $200 sneakers or ever a $20 movie. So what's a teen to do?

Well, making money for a teen may be even easier today than in the past because there are so many more entrepreneurial ideas out there now that industrious teens can even start projects to earn money and end up with a career. But even if your teen's goal does not go much further than some extra money for burgers or candy, getting a teen started now learning about financial responsibility will be a lesson taken with them for a lifetime.

There are many ideas that can net a teen some cash. Here we'll discuss some of the more common routes teens take and some more creative ideas for a teen to make some money.

Retail/Food Service
Many teens of working age (15 and up) find after school or weekend work at local fast food restaurants or in retail stores in the mall. Many such establishments will work with a teen on schedules and offer minimum wage.

Babysitter
With so many parents having to go back to work, there is a larger need for after school child care. Teens who are too young to work in retail can find work sitting with neighborhood children.

Handy Person
If you live in a community where there are elderly neighbors or single moms, a teen can find lots of odd jobs to do. Lawn care, painting, snow removal, and general repairs can be done by teens on a regular or as-needed basis. Go door to door or posts "work wanted" signs at the local grocery store.

Computer Lessons
For teens who are technologically advanced, they can earn some side money teaching others how to use computers and software. There are many adults who are not computer capable and would likely pay for lessons in basic knowledge of software and internet.

Paid Internships
Teens who have an idea of what they want to be "when they grow up" might be able to secure a paid internship in the industry they plan to pursue. This internship will not only earn them an income but it will also provide invaluable information and experience teens can carry with them after high school graduation. If you have friends or relatives in the industry of choice, ask for referrals on paid internship opportunities or speak with the school's guidance counselor.

Monthly Car Wash
If your teen has a group of friends who are interested in earning some weekend cash, they can organize monthly car washes. If hosted each month, the community becomes more aware of the service and teens can likely get repeat and new customers each month.

Selling Skills
If a teen is artistically inclined, they can visit weekend farmer's markets or other locations and provide charactures or drawings of customers. There are many skills a teen may have developed at a young age and can easily learn how to earn money using their skills. This can be their first lesson in freelancing towards a profitable future career.

Tutoring
If your teen excels at a specific subject, they can advertise their tutoring services around the community or throughout school. Tutoring often generates a decent hourly pay and if the teen is able to take on tutoring work for more than one student at a time, they can earn a nice income.

All teens will have different ideas about how they want to earn money and there are many opportunities available to them if they have the support and encouragement from their parents. Teens who learn money management lessons now will likely avoid debt hassles in the future.