You Know a Kid Who Wants to be His Own Boss? (Summer Ideas)

BE YOUR OWN BOSS AND MAKE SOME MONEY   

    There have been a few articles in the newspaper about possibilities for young people — possibilities when it comes to making money this summer.

    I remember helping man a lemonade stand as a kid one time. It was a very temporary thing for one day. I think it was my friend’s older brother’s idea and she didn’t want me to help. He then called her a “killjoy,” while I just called it quits. So much for making extra money. (I didn’t make any money till years later, as a babysitter.)

    Today’s enterprising kid “can” make some extra dough around the neighborhood — cutting people’s grass, babysitting,  pulling weed’s in the garden. It’s suggested you ask your parent/guardian to recommend a price for your services (which could also include washing and polishing cars, selling lemonade and juice boxes, selling homemade brownies, even being a Saturday house cleaner), and putting part of your money earned in a savings account.

    Being a summer entrepreneur (though you could take the easy road and just apply to flip burgers or be a coffee barista) can help a child or teen take some responsibility, and learn to manage money. It gives them something constructive to do in the summer. You know, something to do other than sitting for hours in front of a screen and getting no exercise or fresh air.

     One time, between jobs as a young adult, I helped an old woman with cleaning her apartment. She admitted to me her living room braided rug hadn’t been cleaned in a year! It was a pile of dust and required heavy vacuuming. During 3 days I came over, also cleaning in the bathroom and hall and probably taking down cobwebs too.

    There was one morning she wanted me to come over early. She was in the kitchen cooking something. It was dangerous. Over the open fire of the gas stove was a crooked, stilted grate she had her pan on. I was afraid the pan was going to tip over and start a fire, so I readjusted it so that it was in the right position. 

    Then she seemed to get mad and said I needed to leave. I probably wasn’t even paid for that day. I’ve had a number of “survival” jobs over the years (from a little subbing to house cleaning to doing surveys on the phone with a computer). Kids/teens should be willing to work hard and be on time, and if you are have signs or otherwise advertise  your sales or other work that will help. And you can set your own hours too.

    So there are some “advantages” to being your own boss. It’s good to earn your own money.

       To learn more about getting into business as a kid, look at books at this website: The 15 Best Business Books for Kids