Moneymaking Ideas for Teens

Teens hoping to earn money this summer are in luck, because the national unemployment rate was just 3.5% in March, meaning that jobs shouldn’t be hard to find. Below are some ideas for young people. (Don’t assume it’s too early to pursue a summer job now. Some good ones might get filled soon.)

• The usual suspects: Check with local supermarkets, retailers, restaurants and movie theaters to see which ones are hiring. Babysitting or lawn mowing can be lucrative if you can line up enough jobs.

• Strategic choices: Think about possible careers that interest you, and see if you can find a job related to one. For example, you might find work at a hospital, law office, veterinary practice, plant nursery or bicycle store. If there are companies nearby that you greatly admire, you might see if they hire summer interns.

• Follow your interests: If you love animals, you might find some pet-sitting or dog-walking work. If you love being outdoors, you might pursue being a camp counselor, golf caddy or farmhand. If you enjoy helping older people, maybe you can do some tasks, such as shopping, for elderly neighbors.

• Use your skills: If you’re good at a subject like math or science, you might tutor other young people. Perhaps you might also offer language or music lessons.

• Be an entrepreneur: If you have some hustle in you, perhaps start a small business. Advertise your availability to do landscaping work, to troubleshoot neighbors’ computer problems or to sell unwanted items online (such as on eBay) for a cut of the proceeds. If you’re savvy with social media, you might offer your services to help local businesses reach more customers.

Teens (and clever preteens) can learn a lot about how to make money in our book, “The Motley Fool Investment Guide for Teens: 8 Steps To Having More Money Than Your Parents Ever Dreamed Of,” by David and Tom Gardner with Selena Maranjian (Touchstone, $17).