Finance & Marketing

Kids are naturally keen on working for money. Many children will come to you and ask what they can do when they wish to make a few dollars. Here are some simple tips for teaching your kids how to make their own money.

1. Find work for them to do around the house. Do not include their regular chores in with these new duties. Don’t create a job for them just so they can make money- you might as well just hand money to them. Take a close look at what actually needs to be done around the house and choose something that is appropriate to their age.

Ask what your child needs money for. Make the job reasonable, and the amount of money earned in relation to the job, not out of proportion.

2. Help your child start a service business in your neighborhood. Once our child is old enough, they can begin something like a lawn care business with your help. You can create flyers and deliver them around the neighborhood, stating your services and fees. Elderly neighbors who have difficulty doing these things, as well as busy people make the best clients. Make sure to closely watch your child at each job, and only help when you need to.

3. Create crafts to sell on eBay. Your child may be the type that enjoys making crafts. If they have the knack, there is a market to sell their wares. EBay offers a no-pressure situation where kids can see business in action. Follow the policies for setting up an account. If they are too young, you may have to own the account. Take pictures of the items and assist your child in writing a description of them for a viewing audience. Selling on eBay introduces kids to the art of owning and maintaining a business.

4. Have a child watch their younger siblings. Children who are seven and up can help keep an eye on a younger sibling if you are nearby in the house. This is not technically a babysitting job- it is simply a monitoring one. When you are busy around the house or doing your own chores, hire your older child to keep an eye on their younger sibling while you do it. Be sure to remind them of certain things: keep them away from the stove, keep toys out of their mouths, etc. Don’t give them too many instructions or your child is likely to zone out on you.

5. Consider having a yard sale. If a child wants to make some extra money, have them pick out (with your help) some toys they no longer play with and some clothes that don’t fit. By selling them in a yard sale, they can make a few dollars, and clean up their rooms. Selling used items is much more beneficial than throwing them away or simply storing them and not using them. Let others benefit from them as well.

Children can be hard workers if given the chance. If they ask you for work, it is a sign that they are learning how valuable money is, and that they need it. Try these methods to help them get on the road to making money for themselves.