13 Ways Teens Can Make Extra Cash (Besides Flipping Burgers)

Earning money as a teenager can be an exciting opportunity as you can work as much (or little) as you want. Since you still live at home, your teen years are an excellent opportunity to establish a micro-business that generates enough income to pay your monthly bills before you move out after graduation. Teen jobs are also a great way to explore potential career paths.

Flipping burgers or being a department store cashier are not the only two teen jobs available. These teen income ideas are proven income streams that can be more financially and emotionally rewarding. And, the best part is that you can pursue several of these income streams at the same time!

Swagbucks

Many “make money online” platforms require you to be at least 18 years old. Swagbucks accepts members as young as thirteen years of age. You earn points that can be redeemed for PayPal cash and gift cards by performing the following variety of tasks:

• Answer surveys
• Watch videos
• Play games
• Surf the web

New opportunities post every day. This allows you to earn money every single day of the week. Whether you only have five minutes or several hours of spare time, you can make money on Swagbucks.

Start a YouTube Channel

Whether you have a smartphone or a camera optimized for YouTube, vlogs are an up and coming phenomenon in the current internet age. You can create a channel on any topic from funny cat videos, beating a video game boss level, or testing new makeup products to make a few examples.

You can make money through advertisements and affiliate sponsorships. Advertising your channel on Instagram and Snapchat can help attract additional exposure.

Design Graphics on Fiverr

If you an eye for design, sell your services on Fiverr. All gigs start at $5, and you can charge more as you gain experience or offer more complex tasks. There are over 100 categories to choose from and some of the possibilities include graphic design, video and animation, music, and random tasks such as playing video games or performing pranks and stunts.

Sell Something Online

Your teen years are one of the best times to start an online micro-business. The possibilities are nearly endless as you can monetize your hobby. Whether it’s selling video games, books, handmade crafts, or clothing, you can turn a profit by creating your own e-commerce website, and by selling on Amazon or eBay.

If you need help starting a blog or how to sell online, you can check out Grayson’s free “How to Start a Blog guide” or consider taking an e-commerce course on Udemy as well.

Sell Fresh Produce

You can also make good money by growing produce that can sell at your local Farmer’s Market. Health-conscious consumers are always looking for locally sourced produced. If you can grow organic or low-spray produce you might be able to charge more per item to reward your hard work.

Depending on where you live, selling produce might only be a seasonal income stream. This flexibility helps make this hobby a great income stream during the summer when school is out.

Mow Lawns

If you enjoy being outdoors and have access to a mower and weedeater, mowing lawns can be another lucrative income stream. Whether you only mow lawns within your neighborhood or all over town, peoples’ lawns need to be mowed on a weekly basis which means a steady income during the spring and summer.

Pressure Wash Houses

In addition to mowing lawns, another outdoor-based activity is pressure washing houses in the spring and summer. Homeowners looking for a “fresh” look to complement their newly mulched flower beds will pay you so they can scratch a weekend project off the list.

You can advertise your services on Craigslist or the old-fashioned way of knocking on people’s front doors.

Babysit

Parents are always looking for a responsible babysitter to watch their children on date nights and other occasions during the evenings and weekends. During the summer, parents might also let you watch their children to save on daycare expenses. You can ask your family friends if they need a babysitter or you can visit Care.com.

Become a Pet Sitter

Household pets are just as lovable as children and also need to be cared for. You might check in on someone’s pet(s) while during the workday. Or, you can also pet sit while they go on vacation or a business trip.

Your responsibilities can include feeding the animal, play time, and putting them in their cage at night.

Walk Dogs

If you have the additional time, you can make additional money by walking dogs. Believe it or not, adults make over $100,000 just by being professional dog walkers. Who would have thought?

For pet sitting and dog walking, Rover.com is a great online resource in addition to asking your friends and family.

Recycle Cans and Bottles

For whatever reason, people discard their old aluminum cans and glass bottles along the roadside. Picking up litter not only removes an eyesore from the scenery; you can also make money recycling aluminum cans and, if your state charges a deposit, glass bottles.

You can also collect other types of scrap metal to earn additional cash. You might be surprised to find what people throw away and could be sold for a profit with a little effort.

Wash and Detail Cars

If your car is always sparkling clean, you can also make money washing and cleaning the vehicles of working professionals. You might even be able to do it in their own driveway meaning you don’t have to carry a vacuum or water hose with you to each location.

Be sure to invest in good cleaning solutions and brushes to ensure each vehicle shines.

Invest

It might only feel like you have $5 to your name, at the moment, but the money you invest as a teenager can be the most valuable investments you ever make.

Why? Because of time in the market to earn compound interest. This is a basic concept that many adults do not pay attention to. If they did, more people would retire as a millionaire through small, routine investments.

Your parents might have to create a custodial investment account until you turn 18. Even if you only invest $500, you will have more money in the market than most of your peers. Also, take the time as a teenager to read investing books so you will be prepared to make wise investing decisions in your 20s.

The Sky is the Limit When it Comes to Making Money as a Teen

There are many different possibilities to make money in your free time. It doesn’t matter if it’s online or in-person, you can make as much (or more) money than working a traditional retail or restaurant and learn skills that can benefit you for a lifetime.