Back-to-school can have a depleting impact on family budgets. With new clothes, shoes, supplies, and lunch and activity fees- the expenses add up quickly!
All the exhaustive purchases are often followed by requests for “non-essentials” or a few spare dollars for the vending machine or after-school outing. It’s a great time to begin to help your children learn responsibility and the value of earning income.
Allowance is the obvious route, but if you simply cannot afford an allowance and still want to help your children realize their financial goals, consider the following ideas to help them earn a little extra on their own:
Helping a Neighbor:
Snow shoveling, wood stacking, helping with gardening, yard pickup or mowing, or simply watching a pet when a neighbor is away are all great jobs for kids to undertake. Check with your friends and neighbors to see if they could use a little help.
Yard Sale, Baked Goods, or Lemonade Stands:
If you are planning to host a yard sale, let your children get involved by selling their gently used toys or by setting up a water/lemonade/goodie stand where they can earn a few dollars.
Tutoring:
Older children can earn a few dollars by offering their educational skills to tutor younger children. Check with your school to see if they have a demand for this type of service or help your child out by advertising at the local library or on the community bulletin board.
Paper Route:
Yes, it may require work on your part, but the benefits can be great for your child, not only in terms of earning some income, but learning the responsibilities of a job.
Babysitting:
If you have a neighbor or trusted friend who needs babysitting services, an older child may be up to the task. Check with your county or city to see if a free babysitter course is available for your child to participate in for certification.
Dog Walker:
Many people would love this service and if your child loves pets, it’s a win-win scenario. You may have to help by driving your child to pick up the pet, but again, it’s a great way to introduce them to work ethics and add a little funds towards their financial desires.
Do you have addition ideas? Be sure to share them in the COMMENTS section.
My daughter did English tutoring for younger students. It’s a great way to make a few extra bucks!
My kids are mowing neighbors lawns to get a bit extra; LOVE your ideas and they even work with the little ones like helping a neighbor;
All really great ideas. My daughter use to babysit and my son always sweep the floors for a baseball card shop in town.