How Can Kids and Young Adults Make Money?

Well, I'm from the old school and I can think of no better way for a teenager to make extra money that by doing yard work. In the summer there are lawns to be mowed and in the fall, leaves to be raked or blowen into piles then bagged up and in the winter, snow to be shoveled. This kind of work is especially helpful for older folks because they may have a hard time doing it themselves due to health problems like a bad back, etc. On the rare occasions a neighborhood teenager knocks on my door and asks me if he (or she) can do any yard work, I go out of my way to find some for him (or her), because I'm just thrilled to see a teenager who realizes the value of a buck and has gotten off the Gameboy and TV couch.
FREE WORK COUPON: You don't have to, but if you have a computer and printer you can spend an hour typing up a list of your services with a "free" coupon for the first hour of work. This "free coupon" will let the adult see just how hard of a worker you are, and don't worry about all that work for free, because you'll probably get tipped extra money just because you offered your services for free. People really appreciate this.
GOOD DEALS: You can offer a "buy 3 mows, get 1 free" coupon or some marketing deal like this. Even better you can offer free services for the elderly or a "Gift Coupon" for other neighbors to buy your services for another neighbor in need of yard work.
Be a good neighbor, if you have a neighbor who is in the hospital or sick or just had a baby and can't keep their yard up, organize a day where the whole neighborhood can get together and work on their yard. These kinds of things go a long way to advertise your services.
Say, "Hi, I'm so and so from down the block, I live in the blue house across the way or my parents are such and such and here's my card. I'm arranging a block work day from noon to 3 for so and so because he just had a heart surgery (or whatever). If you're interested, just show up at such and such address. AND, if you ever need any help with your yard, I do a full range of services, here's my card (or brochure with list of services)." Make sure it's okay with the homeowner first before doing most work. And most importantly: Don't cut "anything" down before asking.
An example: My mom let a Realtor who was going to sell our house do a bit of pruning and weeding for a few hours (the work was free, what could she say?). While we were gone, the Realtor "totally" cut down her prize Rhododendron plant that she nursed and loved for over 35 years, it had huge flowers and was beautiful. Well, as you can imagine, my mom wasn't to pleased (to say the least) when we pulled up and it was gone. Don't make this mistake. A plant may look spindly and ugly in the fall, but look great in the summer months, don't think it's to be weeded unless you're sure.

On you card say "I guarantee you'll be happy with my work or no charge" because many adults think teenagers these days are lazy and won't work hard. If you can prove them wrong, you'll have a customer for years to come.
Keep you prices low and you'll make it up in tips if you work hard. This way you can beat the competition. Sure, you need to get your money back for any tools (leaf blowers, rakes, etc) you needed to buy, but remember, by not having to pay for gas and a car to get to work you're saving tons of money. So, you can start at $10 - $15 an hour or so for weeding to get customers. (You can always raise your prices if need be later on) or, you can do "piece work" meaning, just charge $25 or whatever, per yard mowed (depending on the size of the lawn).
Offer a monthly, seasonally or year-round service. Many adults make their living this way in our area. Instead of going door to door only when it snows, how about salting their sidewalks and driveways whenever there's ice, too. This way, they can always know their sidewalk is free of ice and no one will slip and fall. You could bill them weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, kind of like a paperboy would. There are many grown adults in our area who make a living this way year round. They buy a leaf blower and a lawn mower and do a weekly leaf clean, mowing, weeding service. We once had a gal who did this and the great thing was, we never had to call her, she came every Tuesday and our yard always looked wonderful. She sent a bill to us monthly.
Moving, house painting, and spring cleaning services are another way to work around the neighborhood. If you know someone that's moving, why not offer your services, They'll appreciate the extra help.
Hanging Christmas Lights - Help the home owner, or do the work yourself, either by the hour or piece work. Just go around in mid November and pass out your business card or flyer and tell them you're looking for ways to earn extra money.
When looking for odd jobs, try to actually talk to a real human, don't just leave your card on their door. Go around and knock on doors during dinner time when people are home, usually between 6 and 7PM. Make sure your parents know exactly where you'll be and never, ever enter someone's home. People these days don't take offense if you state "I know you don't want to let the heat out, but my parents won't let me enter someone else's home. Can I talk to you on the porch please?". And girls, take a brother or friend with you or have your mom follow you in the family car.
Keep good notes. Take a notebook and pen and write down each address and if they were home and what services they might be interested in and if they want you to come back.