College is expensive. Food is expensive. Living is expensive.

But we can’t depend on our parents' money our whole lives. At some point, we have to make our own living. I know it can feel overwhelming, so here’s a breakdown of five simple ways to earn money while still in school.

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Method #1: Selling Clothes Online

As teenagers, it’s not uncommon for us to grow out of clothes or change our styles into something completely new. What do we do with these clothes? Personally, I have a younger cousin whom I hand my clothes down to, but we have very different styles, so she’s never a fan of mine.

A great way to still use these clothes is to sell them. There are plenty of websites you can sign up for, like eBay and Depop. If you’re interested in altering/making clothes, stuffed animals, purses, etc., then you can sell those as well!

Wash the clothes before you sell them, and make sure you take good-quality photos because this will be the only thing online buyers see. Decide what a reasonable price will be based on similar items you see online, taking into account the condition of the clothes. Remember to provide sizes and possibly measurements as well. It’s important that customers are able to accurately analyze whether or not they’ll fit into the clothes you’re selling.

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Method #2: Babysitting

Babysitting is a great way to earn money because you can choose to refuse or accept dates/times, depending on your busy schedule. You also get to set your pay, and websites like Bambino Sitters get your name out there for families to find. If you love working with kids, this is a great option!

If you choose to babysit, here are some recommendations: Bring games, especially if the kids are younger. Parents love it when you can get them off their screens. Once the child goes to bed or spends time on their own, bring a book or some work to do (rather than scrolling on your phone). This is a great way to portray yourself as mature and productive with your time.

Find a way to incorporate your own interests into the way you take care of the kids. If you like writing, see if the child wants to do some creative writing activities. If you like art, see if they're going to draw with you.

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Method #3: Dog Walking/Pet Sitting

If you love animals, become a dog walker or pet sitter! Dog walking doesn’t take much time out of your day; you can set your own pay, and you can walk multiple dogs at once. However, keep in mind that you don’t want to take on more than you can handle at once.

Pet sitting is also something you can easily do at home if your neighbors are going away for a few days, especially if you already have pets. While you have to make sure you’re paying attention and setting reminders to feed them, they don’t need 24/7 attention, making it an easy way to earn money.

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Method #4: Tutoring

Offer to tutor kids in your neighborhood, creating posters and asking permission to advertise at elementary/middle/high schools, depending on what age range you want to help. There are also online websites that let you reach kids who need your help. This is a great way to make your own hours, set your own pay and focus on a subject you’re really good at!

There are three main methods for tutoring. The first is to consider setting up a system where you tutor the same few students once or twice a week, consistently. This is the most sustainable option. However, you could also choose to have a variety of students reach out to you only when they feel like they’re struggling in class.

A possible third option is letting each student decide what would work best for them, making sure you can balance all their requests. Just ensure that whatever schedule is set, both sides are able to commit to it.

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Method #5: Selling Baked Goods

For those who enjoy baking, you could consider making your favorite treats and selling them to friends and neighbors. This could be a fun way to earn some extra money and develop your baking skills, while also creating your own schedule and having fun. You could even invite a friend to help out!

If you want to make it more official, you can buy small plastic bags with colorful ribbons to tie them up and personalized note cards attached to them with your business card. You can even create a social media account to advertise and showcase your desserts. If other people you know are interested, consider expanding your business and dividing up the work.

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Be Realistic

Trying to make money while balancing school, other activities and homework can feel overwhelming, so make sure you’re not taking on more than you can handle. But, if you’re up for it, consider choosing more than one of these lower-commitment jobs. When summer comes around, think about applying for your first official one!

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