By: Leo Nieves
Money is something that is important and as a student it is important to have some money in case you have to pay for your Chromebook, buy something from the vending machine, or even if you want to go out after school. But what if your parents don’t want to give you money? Well here are some ways to make money as a student.
Neighborhood and Community Gigs
Doing neighborhood and community gigs are really good if you don’t want to go out that far to make money. Some good things you can do are tutoring in the neighborhood. If you’re really good at math you can tutor a student who is younger than you. You can help them with their homework or help them with their academic skills and make from 15 to 25 dollars an hour, depending on the client and your level of ability.
Another good job you can do in the neighborhood or community is babysitting, pet sitting, or dog walking. If you like to work with children or animals I’d say this is a good gig to do. With babysitting and pet setting you can take care of children or animals for people who want time away or are a little too busy to walk or play with their pets. This is a good job for after school and also if you want to practice having a pet if you don’t have one. You can make 10-20 dollars an hour in this type of job. The good news with these types of jobs is that they are all flexible around a school schedule, which is great for students.
Also, since fall is coming up, a lot of people will end up having leaves in their yards and will need someone to rake their yards. Although working with leaves and stuff like that can give you allergies, it may be a way to make some extra cash. Students can mow lawns, rake leaves, and do weeding for their neighbors.
Students who have an eye for detail might be good at car washing or detailing. The good news about this job is that there is a low startup cost and it is easy to advertise around the neighborhood or through school. Other students, parents, or teachers in the community might even want their cars washed for a good price!
Online selling 🤑🤑
If you don’t want to go out a lot and prefer to work online then these are some ways to make some money
Selling objects you don’t use anymore is a good way to make money. Instead of throwing it out, some things you own can be sold for a good amount. For example, if you have a playset that you don’t use, you can sell it for half its price. You can sell old objects you don’t use on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Depop, Poshmark, or Offerup. You can also sell some old clothes or sneakers you don’t use or that don’t fit you for money. Some people just throw it out or donate it but you can sell the clothes instead. Right now everyone is selling vintage clothes for more than 30 dollars. If you don’t have clothes to sell but you still want to sell clothes, you can go thrift shopping and find vintage clothes to resale. If you have an eye for fashion and the patience, you might be able to find high quality denim or accessories that can be resold for a high value.
Crafting & Baking
Students who are crafty might be able to sell handmade or homemade goods. Maybe you could make jewelry, stickers, candles, or art. Some students bake, and can make cookies, cakes, macaroons, or other things that people might purchase. These things can be sold online or at craft fairs or school events. If you can sew, knit, or crochet, this could also be a potential revenue stream. Etsy allows people to sell homemade items, although they do charge a small fee on all items sold.
Freelance Skills
In addition to students who craft, you might be able to put some of your special skills to work to make money. Know how to use a camera? Maybe you could take pictures at a kid’s birthday party or a special event. Great with Canva or a design program? Maybe you can get paid for graphic design. Video editing and social media help are also skills that local businesses and families might pay a skilled student for. Students who have strong computer skills might be able to offer to help older or less tech savvy adults set up their phones, tablets, or computers, or troubleshoot issues. Sometimes you have skills that people will pay you for!
Part-time Job
Some students might choose to get a part-time job. This is less flexible than the options above, since many places of business will want you to have regular hours which might cut into your time to do homework, play sports, or have fun on the weekend. However, the benefit is that you also might be able to have a much more steady stream of income with this option. Aim for places that are close to home or school which make the commute easier, like Stater Bros right next to Mesa. You could also look for retail, fast food, and movie theaters, which often hire teenagers. Ask around and see if your classmates have experience working somewhere, since it’s always easier to get a job from a recommendation.
In conclusion, these are really good ways to make money as a student in case you need money, but keep in mind, sometimes you might have to spend money to make money!
