💡 You Don't Need to Wait
A lot of people think you can't make money until you're old enough to get a "real job." That's not true at all. Kids and teens have been finding ways to earn money forever — and honestly, some of the best business owners in the world started when they were your age.
The key is simple: find something people need, do it well, and be reliable. That's it. Whether you're 10 or 17, there are ways to earn money that fit your age and schedule.
📊 Jobs by Age Group
What you can do depends a lot on your age. Here's a breakdown:
Ages 10–12
- 🍋 Lemonade stand or bake sale
- 🏠 Helping neighbours with small tasks
- 🐱 Pet sitting for neighbours while they're away
- 🌿 Yard work — raking leaves, pulling weeds, watering gardens
- 🚗 Washing cars in the driveway
Ages 13–15
- 👶 Babysitting (take a babysitting course first!)
- ❄️ Snow shovelling driveways and walkways
- 🌱 Lawn mowing (some neighbours will hire you weekly)
- 📚 Tutoring younger kids in math, reading, or French
- 🐕 Dog walking (build a regular client list)
- 🎨 Selling crafts, art, or baked goods
Ages 16–17
- 🏪 Retail or grocery store jobs
- 🍔 Food service — restaurants, coffee shops, fast food
- 🏊 Lifeguarding (get your NLS certification)
- ⛺ Summer camp counsellor
- 📦 Warehouse or stocking positions
- 💻 Freelance skills — graphic design, video editing, social media
💲 How Much Should You Charge?
One of the hardest parts about making money on your own is figuring out what to charge. You don't want to charge too little (you're worth more than that!), but you also don't want to charge so much that nobody hires you. Here are some common rates in Canada:
Common Rates for Young Workers
Rates vary by location. Cities tend to pay more than smaller towns. Ask around to see what others in your area charge.
🚀 Starting Your Own Small Business
If you want to go beyond odd jobs, you can actually start a small business. Sounds big, but it's really just doing something regularly and treating it like a real thing. Here's how:
- 🔍 Find what people need — look around your neighbourhood. Do people need their lawns mowed? Dogs walked? Driveways shovelled? That's your business.
- 💵 Set fair prices — check what others charge and start there. You can raise your prices later once people know your work is good.
- ⏰ Be reliable and on time — this is the number one thing that separates people who succeed from people who don't. Show up when you say you will.
- 🗣️ Ask for referrals — after doing a good job, ask "Do you know anyone else who might need this?" Word of mouth is powerful.
- 📝 Make flyers or business cards — even simple ones made at home can help people find you.
💻 Making Money Online
The internet has opened up a bunch of ways for young people to earn money. But here's the catch: most platforms require you to be 18, so you'll need a parent's help to set things up.
- 🎨 Selling crafts on Etsy — if you make jewellery, art, stickers, or anything creative, you can sell it online (through a parent's account)
- 📦 Reselling on Facebook Marketplace — buy things at garage sales, clean them up, and sell them for more
- 🎥 Creating content — YouTube, TikTok, or a blog. It takes time to build an audience, but some teens earn real money this way
- 🖥️ Freelance work — if you're good at graphic design, video editing, or coding, there are people willing to pay for those skills
A word of caution: be careful of "get rich quick" schemes online. If someone promises you can make $500 a day doing nothing, it's a scam. Real money takes real effort.
🤯 Did You Know?
Many successful business owners started as kids! Warren Buffett bought his first stock at age 11. The founders of many big companies started with small businesses as teenagers. Your side hustle today could become something huge later — or at the very least, teach you skills that will help you for the rest of your life.
📊 Track Your Earnings
Every time you earn money, write it down. It might seem like a small thing, but knowing exactly how much you've earned makes a huge difference. You'll feel more motivated, you'll notice patterns, and you'll be able to set better goals.
Keep track of:
- 📅 The date — when did you do the job?
- 🔧 What you did — mowed a lawn, babysat for 3 hours, etc.
- 💵 How much you earned — the exact amount
- 📈 Running total — how much you've earned this month and this year
You can use a notebook, a spreadsheet, or even the notes app on your phone. The method doesn't matter — the habit does.
❌ Don't
Work for free expecting "exposure" or future opportunities. Your time and effort have value. If someone wants your work, they should pay for it.
✅ Do
Negotiate fair pay for your work. It's okay to say "I charge $X for this." Being upfront about your prices is professional, not rude.
💬 Real Talk
Your first "job" teaches you way more than just money. You'll learn reliability (showing up when you say you will), communication (talking to clients and customers), and time management (balancing work with school and fun). These skills will help you in every job you ever have. The money is great, but the skills are even more valuable.
🎯 Put Your Earnings to Work
Now that you're earning money, set a goal for what you want to save for. Use our Savings Goal Tracker to watch your progress bar fill up.