It can be tough as a teenager. Your body’s constantly changing, your parents and siblings never stop being annoying, and you’re most likely always broke. Fortunately, there are ways to change at least one of these things: By getting a side hustle! Recently, people converged to reveal the best ways for teenagers to make money.
1. Hunt For Bargains at Garage Sales
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According to many people, rummaging through neighborhood garage and yard sales for hidden treasure is a great way to earn a few extra bucks. However, don’t forget to do your due diligence. “Do a quick eBay or Facebook marketplace search as you’re looking over items,” one bargain hunter explains. “It’s much easier to buy things in good condition that won’t take you as much time or money to repair. They’ll be easiest to flip.” Many adults use this strategy to make money; why can’t a teenager?
2. Mow Lawns
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One of the most old-fashioned methods of earning money as a teenager still holds true in 2024; mowing lawns is still very much in style these days! As someone who is rapidly approaching middle age, I can honestly say that I will forever be grateful to anyone who offers to cut my grass and do yard work, no matter the cost. And if a teenager wants to do it for $20? Even better!
3. Work in a Restaurant
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Some of the best money I ever made as a teenager was working at my local ice cream shop and eventually “graduating” to serving tables for the restaurant next door. Bringing home $100 a day was life-changing money for a teenager! “Young people can make very good money by working in small, mom-and-pop restaurants in town,” reveals one man. “However, you might have to pay some dues by dishwashing first before you make the big bucks.”
4. Shovel Snow
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Like mowing lawns, shoveling your driveway clear after a massive snowstorm is something no one wants to do. Teenagers can take advantage of this fact by offering to shovel driveways throughout their neighborhoods during the snowy winter season. While it’s undoubtedly hard work, you’ll most likely get paid handsomely. Instead of hunkering inside, staying warm, and playing video games until your fingers are numb, you might as well earn some well-deserved cash.
5. Become a Babysitter
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Babysitters are always in high demand, especially in smaller towns. Parents don’t think twice about shelling out significant money to a responsible babysitter while they take advantage of Applebee’s late-night happy hour. The beauty of babysitting is once you’ve developed a reliable reputation, you’ll find more opportunities with other families that will present themselves!
6. Officiate Youth Sports
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If you’re knowledgeable about sports (or even play it in high school), being a youth sports referee or umpire is one of the easiest side hustles you can have! “Contact local elementary and middle schools in your area and see if the school Athletic Director can get you in contact with the assignor who schedules the officials,” advises one man. Be careful, and don’t let the newfound power go to your head; once you return to being a player, you’ll have an appreciation for everything a referee has to do to navigate a game.
7. Dog Walking
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Do you know what people love? Their dogs. Do you know what people hate? Walking their dogs, feeding their dogs, and generally taking care of their dogs. In 2024, people with expendable income and an active canine companion are always looking for an enterprising teen to walk their dogs once or twice a day after school. It’s an easy, well-paying gig if you can find it!
8. Deliver Newspapers
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I delivered newspapers when I was in middle school, and if it weren’t for that job, I wouldn’t have had the money to buy my first car: A 1989 Pontiac Grand Am. I loved that car and was forever grateful for my job as a newspaper delivery boy. While the newspaper business is a dying industry (thanks, internet!), many positions are still available in larger cities for a teenager to make very good money by tossing papers onto neighbor’s driveways.
9. Give Neighbors Tech Advice
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I don’t know if anyone’s noticed, but the older generation is entirely clueless about modern technology. Thankfully, Gen-Zers can lend a helping hand by helping older neighbors stay up to date with an ever-changing world. Whether helping set up Facebook accounts or banking software or explaining how an iPhone works, most boomers are happy to pay a few dollars to an upstanding teenager to ensure that life hasn’t passed them by.
10. Become a Lifeguard
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What teenager wouldn’t want to be paid to sit around all day in the sun and get the world’s most fantastic tan? Being a lifeguard is not only an easy gig, but it’s not difficult to obtain; once you get your lifeguard certification, most local and community pools will be thrilled to hire you. As an ex-lifeguard, I can attest I never had to jump in the pool to save anyone from drowning; I spent my whole summer relaxing and occasionally blowing my whistle at kids who were running!
