| Most of us know the usual ways for kids to make | | | | them. |
| money, which include lemonade stands, newspaper | | | | 4. Collect returnables. We collected and returned cans |
| routes and mowing lawns. However, there are more | | | | and bottles for a deposit as kids. Now that more |
| unusual ways. Some of the ways listed below are | | | | states have return laws, it's an even better way to |
| from my own childhood, when I was always looking | | | | make a little cash. During the Cherry Festival, when I |
| for another way to make money. | | | | lived in Traverse City, Michigan, adults came to town |
| 1. Be a chef. At about eleven years old, I used to sell | | | | just to collect the cans that people threw all over. |
| meals to my brothers (I had four of them). I got 25 | | | | With a 10 cent deposit, they were collecting more |
| cents for scrambled eggs or a sandwich, and more | | | | than $100 worth per day according to several of |
| for more complicated meals. My brothers preferred | | | | them. If the kids wear gloves, leave broken cans and |
| to stay in front of the TV and let me cook for them. | | | | bottles alone, and use hand sanitizer, this is a safe |
| Since the food was already provided by my parents, | | | | way to make money. |
| the income was pure profit. | | | | 5. Personal services menu. If there are many people |
| 2. Computer whiz-kid service. Many young kids know | | | | in the family, a great way for kids to make money is |
| a lot about computers. My nephew was getting paid | | | | to sell their services. They can make a menu of |
| for programming by the the time he was fourteen, | | | | things they'll do and how much they charge for each. |
| but even younger kids can show old folks how to | | | | It might include washing windows for 50 cents each, |
| use a computer and the internet for a fee. Learn a | | | | for example, and maybe $1.50 to walk a dog. If the |
| few more skills, and they can even set up computers | | | | list is copied, it could be handed out to all relatives |
| for new owners who are using them for the first | | | | and possibly neighbors too. |
| time. Letting grandparents spread the word would be | | | | 6. Rummage sales and flea markets. If parents agree, |
| a good marketing ploy. | | | | kids can have rummage sales, selling not just |
| 3. Household carnival. I charged my brothers five | | | | household things, but arts and crafts and |
| cents for a wadded up piece of paper selected from | | | | refreshments too. Parents might even take their kids |
| a bucket full of them. Most had a penny or two | | | | to a flea market to set up a stand. I sold (as an |
| inside them, but a few had a quarter. It was just one | | | | adult) more than $1,000 of hand-made walking sticks |
| of my "carnival" events. I also had them throwing | | | | one summer, while my wife sold hundreds of dollars |
| pennies at a bowl across the room, which I kept, of | | | | worth in pewter figurines glued to rocks, sea shells |
| course. If a penny stayed in the bowl they won a | | | | and crystals. Cookies and drinks sell well too. It's a |
| dime. I'm almost embarrassed to say how much of | | | | great way to learn about business, and a good way |
| their hard-earned paper route money I took from | | | | for kids to make money. |