Represent-Feature Story

Five Ways to Get Paid
A money-making manual

By Andrew Starr

When you’re a money-hungry teen, you need to get creative to get paid. Over the years, I’ve developed a few different ways to make money. These things might sound small, but if you do it right you will have money to buy that item you’ve been eyeing or be able to take that special someone to a movie. All right, that’s enough talking. Let’s get down to business.

#1: Greeting Cards

If you have access to a computer and a printer, you can sell greeting cards. You have to put in money up front (it takes money to make money), so if you have absolutely none, ask your guardian or a friend for a loan.

You will have to buy some blank cards and a CD with designs that you can download and then print on the cards. I bought a CD and 30 blank cards at an office supplies store for $10.99. The CD has all kinds of different pictures and you can type in the words you want to use.

I printed up love cards, Christmas cards, and, best of all, birthday and Valentine’s Day cards. I put my own symbol on the back of each card—a picture of a guy painting and the words “Andrew Card Company.” I priced my big cards at $2 and small cards at $1.50, and sold them at school and on MySpace.

#2: Crafts

If you can find someone to teach you the basics, you can make a lot of stuff to sell, like clothing and jewelry. Just take your time and get to like and understand what you’re doing.

I learned to sew in school, and made some pajama pants. I also made pillows—the easiest thing I have ever done with a sewing machine. You can also buy a plain T-shirt, sew on a design and then sell it for a profit. Price your items low and you can sell them at garage sales.

Making your own jewelry is also fun and it pays well for a teen. Beads don’t cost much—you can get a small bag at a craft or bead store for about a dollar. You also need wire and pliers to do the job. Ask your guardian or a clerk at the store for tips, or look for instructions on the Internet. I bring my jewelry to school and sell the bracelets for $3 and the necklaces for $4. Sometimes if I have a customer who buys a lot from me, I’ll take off 50 cents.

#3: Writing Contests

If you like to write, you can enter the Represent writing contest. You can also enter contests you find on the Internet. I write poems, so I enter poetry contests. But never enter if you have to pay or buy something. Those are scams.

#4 Yard Work

If you live in a place where people have yards you probably already know this—you can make lots of money off this job. You will have to work and not be afraid to get a little dirty. When I say yard work, I’m talking about raking, cutting grass, whacking weeds and clipping bushes.

Every year I make about $800 on my jobs. I charge depending on the size of the yards and the type of task. I go door to door politely asking people if they need any work done. As one of my customers once said to me, “For every ten no’s you get a yes.” And you can also make a catchy flyer to post around your neighborhood.

#5: Candy Bars

All right, we’re almost done. My last suggestion is selling candy bars. I bought a 24-pack of candy bars for $7 and sold them around the neighborhood for a dollar each. That’s a $17 profit. I got the candy at a bargain store that has all types of things you can buy and sell.

Remember, if you set fair prices, more people will want to buy your products or hire you. Making your own money can help you be more independent. Whether you use these ideas or have more of your own, I hope you make more money than you can handle.