Notes About Business

Kids are enterprising people. When they need more money, they will actually ask what they can do. Teach your children the value of a dollar earned with these five tips for them to make 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. Start a needed service in your neighborhood. Parents have the responsibility of upkeep inside and outside the house. As soon as your child is old enough, they can begin a lawn care business. You will need to help them. Create flyers and deliver them door-to-door or put them in mailboxes. State your services and the fee. Elderly neighbors and those that are too busy to do the work make ideal clients. Monitor your child at each job. Only help when they need you to pitch in.

3. Have your child create crafts or something else that you can sell on EBay. If your child enjoys making crafts, you can find a market in which to sell their creations. EBay is a great place to try selling things at no pressure, and where kids can watch the selling occur. Follow EBay’s rules for setting up an account. If your child is too young, you may have to set up and own the account for them. Help your youngster take photos of the items, and help your child to write descriptions of what they are selling. Ebay introduces kids (and parents!) to the process of starting, owning and keeping 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. Hold a yard sale. If a child wants some extra cash, they can get rid of toys and clothing that they don’t play with or can no longer wear. Enter the yard sale. Yard sales are an excellent way for kids to make a few bucks and clean their rooms at the same time. Instead of throwing away these items or storing them in the attic, let others derive the same benefit that your child received from them.

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.