It can be difficult to find the right job for a teenager, especially if they are not yet 16 years old. Working is governed by a variety of laws and regulations.
It can be difficult to find the money you need as a teenager.
It can be difficult to find work for 15-year-olds that pays well.
What you should know
Maybe your parents cannot afford to buy the things that you want. Or maybe you just want to be independent and earn your own money.
No matter how rich your family may be, it is important to develop new skills and become a strong independent person.
You might need to pay for some household bills.
The earlier you begin earning income, the more time you have to accumulate your wealth.
You can be very wealthy in your teens and have a head start in life if you make the right financial decisions.
Table of Contents
Why should you work at 15?
Finding Work at 15: Non-Monetary Motives
Work Laws for 15 Year Olds
Ideal Jobs for 15-year-olds
Other Jobs for 15-Year-Olds
Starting a Business at 15 Years of Age
Final Thoughts
Why should you work at 15?
It doesn’t matter how old you get, being broke isn’t fun!
Everybody has different goals, but there are some good reasons for working when you are young.
How to save for a new car
Starting work at 15 is a good way to save money to buy a car in cash when you are 16 or older.
It is not a wise financial decision to take out a loan to buy a car. You will end up paying interest for an asset that is depreciating.
Imagine you purchased a brand new car at $20,000 with a 6-year term.
Depending on the interest rate, by the time the loan is paid off, the car will probably be worth under $15,000; you would also have to pay thousands of dollars in interest.
If you instead buy a used vehicle for $7,000 without a loan, the value will not drop too much until several years later.
Owning a vehicle is a costly investment and you will lose money no matter which option you choose.
If you find a reliable car you can afford to pay for in cash, you will save money and avoid debt.
College Savings
College is expensive. College is expensive.
You can fund your college costs by getting scholarships and doing well in school. But even if you get a scholarship, you will still have expenses to pay.
Evenings out, football matches, and other extracurriculars.
Savings is not enough
Start working at fifteen to achieve financial success in your early years of life.
Staying out from debt is the fastest way to become wealthy. To stay out of credit card debt, you need to have an emergency savings fund.
Unexpected expenses are inevitable in life.
Imagine all the hardships you could have avoided if you had some money in the bank for emergencies!
When you turn 18, you can start investing in the stockmarket with money you have set aside to cover emergencies.
You can even ask your parents to open a custodial investment account for you. This would allow you to begin investing immediately!
The longer you wait to invest, the more money it will have time to grow. Starting early will boost your investment growth.
How to save for a home down payment
It’s never too soon to begin saving for your down payment.
You will be very well-off if you are able to save enough money to pay your first downpayment at age 18.
Housing costs can be a major expense for a family. If you buy your first home at 18 and rent the rooms out to pay the mortgage, you will not have any expenses and you’ll build equity.
Continue to buy homes to rent out over time and you will be a millionaire in 30 years!
You may just want to enjoy yourself?
It’s not fun to be smart with your money. If you take a step back, and look at the big picture of why you want to work, then doing the right thing with your money makes perfect sense.
If you plan to start working at 15, it’s a good idea to set up your finances in your teens.
You may not want to spend your money on anything other than fun.
You have plenty of opportunity to sort out your finances later – maybe when you’re 18 years old? :).
Finding Work at 15: Non-Monetary Motives
Learn the value of money
You can start working for many reasons other than money.
You feel a difference when you earn money and buy stuff with it. It’s not the same as buying things using money that you were given.
You start to understand that you are not only trading money for goods, but also the time required to earn the money.
After subtracting taxes from your earnings, if you want to buy something for $500 and earn $10 per hour, you’ll need to work more than 50 hours in order to be able to afford it.
When you see how much work it will take, you might reconsider buying the product!
Building Character
The majority of jobs available to 15-year olds are at the lower end. Although you won’t have a glamorous job, doing gruntwork can help develop your work ethic.
As you move up the ladder, you will be grateful for your job because you will remember previous positions and realize that you are in a much better position.
It is also good to learn discipline from taking orders.
As smart money management early in life will lead to success, developing a strong work ethic and being humble when you are young will also help you succeed in your career.
Becoming a good team player
You will likely have to work in a team if you are hired at the age of 15.
You will become a highly valued employee if you can work with others to achieve a common goal.
Learning how to be a good team player and being likable are important life skills. They will also make you more attractive in the future.
Although it might not seem like the best thing to do, there are some benefits.
Learn what you enjoy doing
It’s sometimes the best way to find out what you like is to discover what you dislike. Most people dislike their first job, and it’s not surprising. However, doing something you hate gives you a different perspective on what you like.
Many people finish college but decide they want to do something else.
You will have more options and a greater chance to find a job you enjoy if you start working at 15.
You can achieve success in your career by finding a job that you love at a young, impressionable age.
Work Laws for 15 Year Olds
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which is a federal law in the US, has some rules for workers aged 14-15. These rules are mainly based on the number of hours worked.
You can’t do work during school hours
On school days, you can only work for 3 hours per day
Only 18 hours per week during the school week
Only 8 hours during a day that is not a school day
40 hours during a non-school week
The only time you can work is between 7 am and 7 pm (except for June 1 to Labor Day when the evening hours extend until 9 pm).
You’ll have to check the rules in your state to see if there are any exceptions.
In the agricultural industry, there are different rules and you may be able to work as young as 16.
Most likely, you will need a permit to work if you are 15 years old. You’ll most likely need a work permit to start working when you are 15.
Ideal Jobs for 15-year-olds
There is no guarantee that these companies will hire teenagers in every location. However, they do so on a regular basis.
Restaurants
McDonald’s
Dairy queen
Apply at your local Chick-fil – A restaurant
Arby’s
Baskin-Robbins
Culver’s
Boston market
Zaxby’s
California Pizza Kitchen
Taco Time
Grocery Stores
Safeway
Publix
Wegmans
Winn-Dixie
King Soopers
Giant Eagle
Other Jobs for 15-Year-Olds
You might be surprised to find that some retail stores hire 15-year-olds. Many movie theaters, theme parks and other entertainment venues will also hire 15-year-olds.
You could get paid for working with famous actors if the film industry in your area is strong.
You could earn money while helping your family members or parents run their business.
Your family will be closer and you may be taught more.
Consider checking out local businesses such as car dealerships. According to Camilo, owner of The Finance Twins Blog.
The detail department at a car dealer can be a great place for a 15-year-old to work. It’s the place where cars are prepared and cleaned for new owners. “I started working at my local VW dealership as a 15-year-old and loved it!”
Starting a Business at 15 Years of Age
Starting your own business at 15 is the best way to earn money.
You can earn more money by working for yourself.
Here are some business ideas that you can start at 15 years old:
Babysitting
Babysitting is a good way to earn money if you like being around children and taking care of them. When you think about jobs for teenagers, this is likely the first thing that comes to your mind.
You’ll want to consider this option if you are considering taking care of children.
Babysitting is a great way to earn money if you have the talent.
Before you advertise your babysitting services, decide on an hourly rate that you are comfortable with. You should charge more if you are asked to watch more children.
You can charge more if you are CPR-certified and have solid references.
You can start by asking on social media. Tell anyone with children that you are looking for a job. You could create fliers to hand out in your neighborhood.
Dog walking and pet sitting
Pet sitting is a great alternative to babysitting if you don’t enjoy caring for children. Pet sitting is similar to babysitting, but for pets.
Some people need someone to watch their pets while they are away.
You may only need to check on the cat once a week if someone asks you for help. You may have to house a dog if you are looking after it.
Be sure to get your parents’ permission before you advertise your services.
Another option is to walk dogs. While earning money, you can also spend time with your furry friends.
Flip items on eBay
It is best to ask your parents to set up an eBay account on your behalf. You can earn a lot more money by buying items at yard sales or thrift shops and then selling them for a higher price on eBay.
If you keep at it for several years, you can grow this business into a full time income.
You can find a lot of free videos on YouTube that show what sells well on eBay.
I make a little less than $1,000 per month by selling items on eBay.
Yard work
Teenagers love to do lawn maintenance and cutting grass.
Many people do not have the time or money to maintain their yard but can afford to hire someone to do so.
You can earn money by cutting grass if you have your own lawnmower, or if you use the one your parents have.
Advertise your business in social media, just like you would for babysitting or pet sitting. You can also make flyers to distribute around your neighborhood.
Use a skill that you already have
You might be a great musician or computer expert. You can charge for your valuable skills.
You can teach someone to play an instrument or learn a new language. You can also set up a home networking system and use any other skill you have.
Start a website, or a youtube channel to teach people what you are good at. The potential for making money is high.
All depends on how much work you are willing to do and if you have the perseverance to continue.
Final Thoughts
Here are some ideas for 15-year-olds. There are countless ways for you to earn money.
You can make a lot more money in your youth if you have the right skills and mindset.
Making money at 15 is possible for anyone.
You can also look at other options if you are under 16. You should be fine as long as you follow the FLSA guidelines.
This article was originally published on Your Money Geek. This article has been republished by permission.
