More Kids Making Money

When I was a kid in the 1950’s there weren’t too many ways to make a buck before you turned 18. At least, I didn’t know about many. Neighborhood jobs like lawn mowing or newspaper delivery or babysitting (once you hit age 13 or 14) were about the only things available.

Because I’m trying to help my Grandkids understand that they have options on how to make money, I set out to find out what younger kids do these days to make money.

In my first post (Kids Making Money), you can read about a couple of girls making money online, one with a You Tube channel and the other selling a toy.

Here are a few more things that real kids are doing in the 21st century to make money before they are old enough for burger slinging.

Write a book.

Ava Kofke, aged 10, wrote a book and landed a paying speaking gig with her father Danny Kofke  (an author and ex-elementary school teacher). He wrote:

“My 10 year-old daughter, Ava, wanted to earn money last spring to purchase a laptop computer – her allowance wasn’t going to cut it.

Since I had ties to the publishing industry, I suggested she write a book. We talked with one of my publishers and she said a book to help children learn about money would be a great fit.

Well, last September, “The Financial Angel: What All Kids (Ages 4–11) Should Know About Money” was released! This book includes Ava’s simple definitions and tips about Savings, Spending, Giving, Debit Cards and Credit Cards, plus activities for kids to enjoy learning about money basics.

“Ava has not made enough yet to purchase a laptop but we has made some in royalties. In addition, we have been hired for a daddy/daughter presentation this summer and she will get paid $1,000 – not too bad:)”

Do odd jobs.

Viki Garrison (from Ask Viki Ltd.) and her 12 and 13 year old sons are a rural family. Her boys have earned money multiple ways, such as by:

• mucking stalls
• walking the neighbors dogs
• cleaning out gutters
• painting mailboxes
• cleaning the insides of cars & pickups
• weeding flower beds
• unloading grocery carts at the store
• helping the elderly neighbor put their groceries away
• acting as go-fers or servers at family parties
• tilling gardens
• helping plant gardens

Sometimes they volunteer their time, especially with the elderly, but other times they will call or go ask for a paying job.

Work for your parents.

Kendal Perez with CouponSherpa.com used to work for her Mom who had a visual merchandising business for local clothing retailers, one of whom had a children’s consignment store. Her Mom paid her to help dress the windows, do inventory and organize the clothing racks.

Kristen Daukas reports that she hires her kids to help research things for the Ten to Twenty Parenting website she runs.

“If I need research for a post or a special series we’re running – my 13 year old quite often does it. I give her instructions such as “go find 20 companies that sell prom dresses” and she uses tools like google docs and comes back with a list. I also have her help me with editing video and podcasts.”

Mica Furlow hires her kids to help out at the office.

“If I went in on my day off to work to prep for the following day or week, I would take them with me. With no interruptions of bosses or ringing telephones, I was able to use my office and then some. I would give tasks such as making copies, helping prepare samples and putting price tags on them, and doing assembly lines to collate and staple documents that I would need for the following week.”

Sell used stuff online.

Marilia Candeloro from Kids Business Club says her 7 and 9 year old kids sell stuff online to make money.

“They sell used, in good condition, items they don’t use anymore. It can be books, toys, video games, winter jacket… anything that still looks like knew, and is fully functioning.

I help them to sell this on buy/sell facebook groups in our area as well as Ebay. With the money they make, they are able to by other items for them (usually used as well from these groups and Ebay).

I have saved so much money and they are also learning how to take care of their things so they can later sell them. It also teaches them to not hold tight to things… they come, and they go!”

How do your younger kids or grandkids make money?