How to make money?

[Cuki]

Hi! I'm thirteen years old and if I'm too young for this forum, please, don't ban me... So, let's go to the thing, as the title says... How do I make money? What do you suggest me? Anything... Thanks!

[arebelspy]

MOD NOTE: It's silly, IMO, to try to restrict information on the Internet.  You can't stop the signal.  I wouldn't try and stop you from learning, especially something as important as financial wisdom.

That being said, I am not your parent.

I hope you have the permission of your parents to post here (and the standard Internet protocol for someone your age applies--don't put any personal information out there, let your parents know if someone contacts you privately, etc.--if you are not familiar with these ideas for safe Internet use, talk to your parents about that first), but if you do have their permission, you're welcome to read and comment when appropriate, as long as you're following the forum rules like anyone else.

[arebelspy]

Let's start with the basics/obvious: What have you done in your research on this topic, and what have you actually tried to implement?

Have you tried simple Google searches for "kid make money" or things like that?

[swick]

What are your skills/hobbies and interests? Can you turn any of these into "micro" businesses? Pet walking, babysitting, helping with yard clean-up....

Do you get an allowance? How do you use the money that you do get?

[swick]

Also - Cuki, Please show this thread to your parents

I have written an e-book for teens on exactly your question. If your parents would like, they can contact me through my websites contact form, and I'll send them a free copy of my book to get you started. Website address is in my signature.

[okits]

There can be a huge gulf between generations and what technology they are comfortable with or knowledgeable about.  If you know adults or seniors who are interested in learning how to use social media, want guidance on how to set up their tablets or smartphones, or need even basic computer help, this is an opportunity for you.  They will probably admire your initiative, and if you're trying to earn towards a goal (post-secondary education, car at 16, helping out with family expenses, even just gift and spending money) they will praise your work ethic.

Good luck! 

[CopperTex]

My 12 year old son makes about $50 per month selling garage sale items on Amazon, but his dad helps him :) Other things that come to mind: babysitting, dog walking, pet sitting, mowing grass.

[bogart]

Seconding (or thirding, or whatever!) those who've recommended that you seek your parents' input, and learn how to use the internet in safe and sensible ways.  I think most of us posting in this part of this site are parents ourselves, so we are naturally concerned about encouraging kids to do these things!

I hire dogsitters and housesitters and have certainly hired people who are 13 (and probably younger, maybe 11) to do these things for me.  I would (do) only hire someone that young if I knew their parents and had their parents' permission and willingness to serve as backup support in an emergency (for example, if one of my dog gets sick and it is necessary to figure out if they need to go to the vet or to take them there). 

I haven't personally hired her to do this work, but I know a teenager in my neighborhood who used to work as a "mother's helper" in the afternoons after school, with another neighbor, basically keeping the mom's (little) kids occupied and performing some simple household chores.  I'm pretty sure the mom was present -- I myself worked (on my own) as a babysitter at that age, back in the day, but most parents today (myself included) seem to prefer older kids if they will not be present.

If I landscaped/cared for my yard (I don't, it's pretty free-range), I'd be willing to hire a young teenager to do some work around it -- weeding, planting, etc.  If having a clean vehicle were important to me (it's not, but it is to many people), I'd also be willing to pay a teen to wash/vacuum it.

I hope that helps; good luck in finding reasonable paid employment.

[Cuki]

Thank you everyone for suggestions, my parents don't know 'cause they know that I'm never do anything foolish... I have computers knowledge, but here, where I live, nobody needs anything... If you want to know, I live in a village in Croatia, everybody does their own job, they don't hire other kids to do that kind of job... I've tried to make money online, but you need to have a credit card so I have to find another way... And I don't know which one is it... Any other suggestions?

[math-ya]

Don't try to reinvent the wheel. Find someone local that is successful at making money and copy their idea exactly.
When I was your age I would buy big boxes of candy and stand at the door of the grocery store, selling pieces of candy for real cheap. I'm not sure if this would work where you live. But it worked for me because people saw I was trying, and a 50 cent piece of candy wouldn't break their bank, but for me the profits really added up.

[arebelspy]

Thank you everyone for suggestions, my parents don't know 'cause they know that I'm never do anything foolish...

You should still tell them.  If they know that, and trust you, they'll approve it anyways, so there's no downside to telling them, and significant upside (they trust you even more).

I have computers knowledge, but here, where I live, nobody needs anything... If you want to know, I live in a village in Croatia, everybody does their own job, they don't hire other kids to do that kind of job...

That makes sense.  Do you see a need that people have that you can fill?  Start looking.

I've tried to make money online, but you need to have a credit card so I have to find another way... And I don't know which one is it... Any other suggestions?

There's only a small subset of online jobs for which you need a credit card (mostly involving reselling items).  There's a ton out there that shouldn't require credit cards.  You seem to have a pretty good grasp of English, so that opens up lots of possibilities.  Writing, editing.  Heck, a blog with Amazon referral links can make you a decent amount.

[Cuki]

Which blog? Can you explain it?

[swick]

You are facing a bit more of a challenge. I would suggest focusing on schooling, and learning "transferable" skills. English is the big one, but also public speaking (which will be handy if you ever sell anything, including interviewing)

You do have a unique opportunity with blogging - It's what I do, it is what the main site from this forum does.

You have a very unique perspective being from Croatia. You cold start a travel blog - giving people hints and tips and sharing your favorite places in Croatia. You could share traditional food and recipes. If you get to travel anywhere for school or with your family, write about it. Write about what there is to see in your home town. It is not a "fast" way to make money it takes a lot of work! But you are getting free practice and education at the same time.

You can make money off it, once you have enough content. You can sell advertising space to travel  companies and websites, when you are a bit older you can offer Tours, or cooking lessons to tourists, or even space at your dinner table where tourists can get to know a local Croatian family. You can take the content you have written for blog posts and turn them into a series of Digital products - e-books - tour guides that sort of thing and have them for sale on your website.

This is how most people from anywhere start making money online. Anyone who promises a "quick and easy" solution is out to take your money.

You can sign up for a FREE blog on Wordpress.com and start teaching yourself how to use it. If you get really good there are people who make websites and apps (which you can do from anywhere) and make TONS of money.

[Cuki]

Thank you, but, how do you get paid?

[swick]

You need to set up a paypal account (I don't know if there is something similar in your country) you do not need a credit card, only a bank account.  Realistically, you might be too young to set it up, you will need your parents help.

Then you can do things like sell ad space on your website, make your own digital products that you can sell from your website, take payments if you are doing any freelance work (making websites, writing posts for other people) Another option might be translation work for you too.  There are also websites like fiverr....but bottom line, everything you do online, you at least have to have a bank account for, and probably be of legal age.

[Cuki]

That's a problem... A bank account... My parents wouldn't agree 'cause they would probably think that someone will do something bad trough internet if I add a bank account... And yes, PayPal exsits(not sure how to write this word) in Croatia... Is there anything that would send money to your adress or similar?

[arebelspy]

That's a problem... A bank account... My parents wouldn't agree 'cause they would probably think that someone will do something bad trough internet if I add a bank account... And yes, PayPal exsits(not sure how to write this word) in Croatia... Is there anything that would send money to your adress or similar?

Paypal can send a check, but it costs $1.50.

You'd get paid via ads or referral links, and they'd send you payment.

It's something that starts slow and builds up--it'd be a few years before you saw significant money from it, but if you kept working at it, you could.  I doubt your parents would turn away the money once you have it rolling.

[Cuki]

But how do you pay that check?

[math-ya]

They will just deduct the 1.50 from whatever they owe you

[Rubic]

Cuki,

The information you provided about being a Croatian is important.  Croatia joined the EU in 2013, which widens your ability to conduct business.  Can your parents open up a non-fee bank account on your behalf?

Your two assets are your computer skills and ability to speak English.  I regularly conduct business with coders from the Ukraine, Russia, Bulgaria, and India. 

Assuming you want to use your computer skills to earn Euros, you might consider the following steps:

• Open a no-fee banking account through your parents.
• Start a Paypal account and tie it to your bank account.
• Open an account on upwork.com (formerly odesk.com) or elance.com

Through UpWork or Elance you can start accepting jobs remotely.  Initially you have no work history so price your services accordingly.  Be professional and make your client happy.

Good luck!

[Cuki]

Thank you, I'll try.

[Cuki]

Hey, I've found that Bank of Zagreb gives Maestro Cool card to kids under 18 years... Does that card exsists there where you live? Does PayPal support that card? If yes, should I open an individual or bussines account?

[Rubic]

Cuki,

Paypal appears to support the Maestro Cool Card:

https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/helpcenter/helphub/article/?articleID=FAQ2054

You may still need a bank account.  If your parents are concerned, you can set up a specific bank account solely for your contract work, not tied to any other accounts, and periodically transfer your earnings to an account that is not used in your business.  Note that you should only consider bank accounts with no fees (if possible).

In most cases it's easier to set up an individual account rather than a business account.

[Cuki]

Okay, thanks!