How to Earn Money

Federal law allows you to work at a number of different types of jobs:

• Newspaper delivery.
• Acting.
• Non-hazardous farm work.
• Office/clerical.
• Sales.
• Retail.

During the school year, you can not work:

• During school hours.
• Before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. (except for newspaper delivery).
• More than 3 hours a day.
• More than 18 hours a week.

During the summer, you can not work:

• After 9 p.m.
• More than 8 hours a day.
• More than 40 hours a week.

Before you start making plans, you need to:

• Talk this over with your parents.
• Check State laws (they vary from state to state and many times they are more restrictive than Federal laws).

Besides an outside job, you may want to consider other good steady money makers for kids:

• Baby-sitting.
• Yard work.
• Helping with parent's work

Here's a progressive list of ways kids can make money starting at the youngest ages:

• Extra jobs around the house. These go beyond chores or normal household responsibilities. Typically, they are jobs you would do yourself or pay someone else to do. Extra jobs can include such things as matching socks, washing cars, cutting grass or painting fences.
• Help neighbors and relatives. They have the same needs as parents when it comes to needing help around the house. Often, starting at a young age with small tasks such as pulling weeds and pet sitting can lead to bigger jobs like lawn care and baby-sitting.
• Help with parent's work. From time to time, most parents' jobs involve some small task that their kids can do. Kids are anxious to get involved and generally work hard and do a good job. If it frees you up to do more challenging work or if it's something you would pay someone else to do - both you and your child are money ahead.
• Help with kid's work. Parents can get temporary jobs with the idea that the kids will help with most of the work and earn most of the money. One such job is delivering phone directories.
• Start your own business. Kids can both make money and gain valuable business experience by starting their own businesses. They can provide a service, make their own product or sell someone else's goods. Capitalism For Kids - Growing Up To Be Your Own Boss by Karl Hess has gotten some great reviews. It includes encouragement and guidance for both parents and kids. Most parents are probably also familiar with the Sales Leadership Club and Olympia Sales Club . Both catalogs include a wide variety of products which kids can sell for cash and prizes.
• Part-time and summer jobs. States and common sense dictate limits to kids working. Check the law and then consider any added restrictions you may want to establish. Jobs can be a great source of money, provide valuable work experience and become an important part of growing up. However, it's not uncommon for jobs to also interfere with school work and family life. Taking time with your child to establish and maintain a balance between the three is essential.

Want more tips? Check out www.KidsMoney.org for details