Five Ways for Teens to Make Money during Summer 2014
19 Replies
Summer is a great time of the year for kids all over the US. Most students in those districts that have not gone over to year-round schooling get to take nearly three months away from book learning. Summer is a great time for teens to go to the local pool, golf course, tennis court, or mall. Of course, all of these things take money. It is not too early to start thinking about ways to make money this coming summer.
The question then comes about, who should pay? Many parents have enough to fund their kids’ fun during the summer, but with aftereffects of the Great Recession, many families have budgets that are quite tight. There are several ways for teens to make money to pay for their fun and (hopefully) save some money for college, a car, or a home. Here are just five ideas for teens to make money in the summer of 2014
1. Sign up for a GPT Site or Two
There are many sites up online that will allow any American over 13 to fill out surveys and watch videos to make money online. Most jobs require an employee to be at least 16 or to have parental permission if 14 or 15. These sites can let younger students start to get an entrepreneurial start.
A couple of the more common GPT sites are CashCrate and Treasure Trooper. Both have a long history of paying literally millions to users. Of course, most people will only earn about $50 or $100 per month if they work at these sites, but they pay without having to go out and work for someone else. They can also be used in free time in conjunction with another job.
You can sign up for CashCrate here. I have a more extensive review of the site here, as well to show how easy it is to make money on CashCrate. You can also sign up for Treasure Trooper here. I have reviewed Treasure Trooper here. Join the blog to get updates.
Also, there is a relatively new site that works much like a social media site that pays. The site is Bubblews. The site pays when users get views, likes, comments and shares on their posts. I have already cashed out for $25.60 and reviewed Bubblews here.
2. Sign up for SwagBucks
One final way to earn money (or at least gift cards) is by signing up for SwagBucks. This site is open to anyone who is at least 13 years old. Users can perform tasks like searching the web through the site and earn virtual currency known as SwagBucks, which can then be used to purchase a number of items including gift cards or actual cash in a PayPal account.
Gift card redemption options are at great retailers and restaurants. Among the leading options are Amazon.com and WalMart. e-Gift cards from the latter can be used in the stores, so they are just as good as cash. Also, there are options to redeem a few SwagBucks for discounts at local attractions like golf courses. I have a more lengthy review of SwagBucks here. For the month of July 2013, use the code “earnmoney70″ in the box that says I have a code to earn 70 additional SwagBucks when signing up. Those who earn 100 for the month in addition to any bonuses will be entered in a drawing for a free $100 e-gift card.
3. Get a Part-time Job
This recommendation can sometime be easier said than done. Many businesses have cut back on the traditional summer hires. What are some good part-time opportunities for students? Many local retail outlets or fast food restaurants might be in the process of hiring for summer.
Those who like to play golf or swim might be able to land a job at one of their favorite places of all. These establishments are frequently seasonal, so they hire specifically during the summer. Those with a full-time job are not likely to apply, so students have a great opportunity to land their first paying gig.
4. Start a Business
One of the best ways to make money doing something you like is by starting a business. High school students can start summer jobs and make decent money in the process. Cutting grass and babysitting are two great methods for teens to make money during the summer. Many of the kids who need babysitting only need it during summer months. Make sure to charge the going rate and do a good job so that you can get repeat business.
5. Sell Lightly Worn Toys or Games
Online businesses like Amazon and eBay allow just about anyone to set up an account and sell items to the world. Most teenagers have no need for the toys that they had in their earlier years. People also start to like different types of video games as they get older. It is very easy to set up an account on an online dealer like Amazon or eBay with a parent and sell these items. While you will not get the full retail price, you can get some money that can go to something more desirable for a teenager.
Get Started Now in Planning to Make Money during the Summer of 2014
There are tons of ways for teens to make money during the summer. Some of the options allow people to actually make money in pajamas without leaving home. Some of the opportunities listed above are seasonal. Others, like CashCrate, Treasure Trooper, and SwagBucks can earn some money year-round. The sooner one signs up, the more quickly they can start to earn money.