How to Make Money in High School?

High school students, you’re up! We’re sure you’re hungry for new books, makeup, gadgets, and more. Now, while your parents may help you buy some of those, it’s always a nice feeling to purchase something with your own money. And just because you weren’t born into a wealthy family, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to enjoy nice things. 

So, how do you start your journey toward financial independence despite being in high school? Let’s show you how that’s more than achievable if you read this article from start to finish! We’ll cover the best methods, tips to balance your studies and money-making ventures, and more.

What Money-Making Opportunities Are Available to High School Students?

As you read through this section, you’ll realize that this list only covers a few possibilities. Do understand that you have tons of opportunities to make money as a student. However, here are some of the easiest methods.

Share Opinions and Unused Internet With Pawns.app

With Pawns.app, you’ll earn even as you sleep! Let your internet connection work for you and make passive income as you go through your daily routine. It’s really as simple as installing an app and letting it run throughout the day.

At the same time, fill your breaks by answering surveys and sharing referral links with your friends. Pawns.app allows you to monetize your opinions and social connections. And as a high school student, you have an abundance of those!

Tutor Your Schoolmates

If you are a high-performing student, sharing your knowledge with others is an excellent way to earn. Your schoolmates will enjoy a helping hand in tough subjects and will gladly pay for it. 

To start, make sure your friends know you’re offering tutoring services. Start your rates at around $15 to $20 an hour, and feel free to increase them if you’re producing fantastic results. Remember: you’ll reinforce your knowledge as you teach!

Create and Sell Designs

Creativity is a wonderful skill to have, so be proud of it! There are so many ways to monetize your capabilities. For one, you can upload your designs on print-on-demand platforms and let the world enjoy your designs. It isn’t just shirts that will sell. Think about mugs and bags, too. 

Rent Out Your Stuff

Look around your house. What items do you think people need but may not own? Some rentable things include lawnmowers, baking appliances, tents, and ski equipment. It’s better to earn some money off of them rather than letting them sit and collect dust. If you have extra garage or storage space, consider renting it out, too.

Test Websites and Apps

As a high school student, you’re probably familiar with how websites and apps work. You should know the difference between a user interface that flows smoothly and otherwise. Use your valuable web-surfing and app-using experience to help companies market themselves online. Register for an account on UserTesting and start running tests right away for excellent remuneration.

Design Websites

Website designing doesn’t require in-depth coding skills. Thanks to platforms such as WordPress, Wix, and Shopify, anyone with some technical skills can design beautiful websites. Maximize the use of drag-and-drop features and use your creativity to create sites for local businesses for a fee. 

Customize Items

Have you ever seen bedazzled jackets and shoes? How about those with attractive artwork? These are the results of creative people who crave personalization. You can personalize practically anything, from pencil cases to laptop covers. And your friends will gladly fork out cash for unique-looking belongings!

Sell Candy at School

Everyone needs a sugar rush now and then. Bank on that fact and sell your friends’ favorite candy at school for a profit. For maximized profit, buy your candy in bulk. Let’s say 30 chocolate bars cost $15, and you sell them at a dollar each. That’s a neat $15 profit right there. Once your friends know that they can always go to you for sweets, you’ll have a steady flow of customers all year long!

Edit and Proofread Essays

Students may know how to write essays, but many lack grammatical and spelling skills. If you possess an excellent eye for detail and can spot mistakes from a mile away, use your capabilities. Correct your friends’ essays for a small fee. Reviewing a 500-word essay will only take about 10 minutes, and you can charge a few dollars for that.

Sell Baked Goods

The key to enjoying work is monetizing your passions. If you love baking, spend an afternoon in the kitchen whipping up chocolate cupcakes and brownies. Sell your goodies at the park, beach, or school. Ensure you pay as much attention to the look of your sweets as the taste. At the same time, print business cards to encourage repeat customers! They may want you to bake stuff for birthdays and other special events. 

Clean Houses

One crucial thing to understand is that many people need help maintaining a spotless house. Professional cleaners can cost a bomb, so take advantage of that. Charge lower hourly rates and do a good job cleaning toilets, dusting, vacuuming, and wiping surfaces. You can source for clients around your neighborhood to start. Ask them to refer you to their friends if they like the way you work.

Sell Lemonade and Ice-Cold Water

Imagine a hot summer’s day at the beach or sports field. These spots are full of people who are craving a way to quench their thirst, so they’re the perfect places to sell cold drinks. Charge enough to cover the cost of your items plus profit for your hours at work. Survey the prices of drinks around to know what people will pay. 

Run Errands

Bank on the fact that people are busy ants. Adults are also trying to balance their work and personal commitments. Find out what they need help with. Tasks may include buying medicine from the pharmacy, picking up laundry at the dry cleaner, and mailing a package. Look among your friends’ parents and neighbors; if they are always rushing off to get something done, they’re your potential client. 

Teach Something

Do you have a talent for drawing, dancing, making jewelry, or sewing clothes? Gather a few people who would love to learn your skill. You can conduct weekly classes at home. To ensure success, ensure you have the right tools and a syllabus planned out. Organize your lessons such that they start with the basics and complete a project at the end of the course. Your students will love having something to show off as a result!

Be a Camp Counselor

If the summer holidays are coming up, consider picking up a job as a camp counselor. It’s a very satisfying gig because you’ll be working with younger children and developing their social skills with fun activities. Most camps set minimum age restrictions at 15. To be a good camp counselor, you must love the outdoors and communicate well with kids.

How Can High School Students Balance School and Work?

Knowing what to prioritize might be challenging in the beginning. Should you finish your homework first or take that extra shift at the neighborhood restaurant? Don’t worry; even adults have to deal with this balancing act. Essentially, you shouldn’t ignore your schoolwork. And if you’re serious about earning money as a high school student, follow these tips: 

• Keep a Detailed Schedule: You have so many extra responsibilities on your hand if you decide to take on a part-time job. That’s okay; it’s all about managing your time properly. If a teacher tells you there’s a test on Friday, mark it down on your calendar right away. Suppose you have to deliver an article to a client on Wednesday, make a timeslot to complete it on that day or before. If you have a phone, a basic application like Google Calendar will serve its purpose!
• Be a Master Organizer: Look at your study table and room. Is it a mess? Do you have your stationery, school papers, and work stuff lying all over the place? That might not be such a major issue if you’re a young kid in elementary school. It’s time to grow up and develop your organizational skills. You want separate folders for everything. All your items should have their designated storage space, and when you’re done using them, put them back!
• Eliminate the Distractions: Life is full of distractions, whether you’re a high school student or a fully functioning adult. If you want to balance your school work and a side gig, you need to reduce distractions as much as you can. Don’t let the latest drama keep you on the phone for hours on end. Additionally, install a Pomodoro timer on your phone or computer for optimized productivity. Some apps will also block time-wasting sites while you’re trying to focus.
• Look After Yourself: A working high school student has to balance chores, studying, work projects, and extracurricular activities. That can be a lot to manage. Don’t suffer from burnout! Reserve some time for self-care, hobbies, family, and friends. Focus on your mental health, and you won’t let the stress get to you.
• Find a Support System: The people around you are there for a reason – to support you through difficult times. Go to them for advice and solutions. They may be your teachers, parents, work mentors, and more. A teacher may guide you on schoolwork, and if you explain your situation, they could grant you extensions on certain assignments.  

How to Manage and Save Money as a High School Student?

That feeling of getting your first paycheck is really sweet. It’ll make you hungry for more. You’re on your way to financial independence! But how do you maintain a healthy bank account? 

• Create a Realistic Budget: A budget is beneficial for preparing for expenses and limiting unnecessary spending. Think about and list down everything you usually spend on, including books, clothes, and food. Note realistic amounts and check in with the budget regularly. Consider using a budgeting app such as You Need a Budget (YNAB) or Mint.
• Set Your Goals: Where will your hard-earned money go? Perhaps you’re saving for a new computer or phone. Maybe your cash will go to renting a room for college or a trip around Europe. When you have a goal, you’ll know how much it’ll cost. Then, you’ll be able to adjust your budget and savings to reach it. 
• Establish Separate Checking and Savings Accounts: You need a different account for spending and saving. The separation will prevent you from losing track of what you shouldn’t touch. Moreover, a savings account will reward you with higher interest yields. Stay away from accounts with high fees and automate your savings.
• Take Advantage of Student Discounts: As a student, you can get discounts for movie theatres, public transportation, and restaurants. It’s as simple as showing your ID. And that’s not all; big brands such as Apple, Urban Outfitters, and Amazon all give student discounts. A penny saved is a penny earned!
• Buy Secondhand Clothes and Items: Your local thrift shop is a secret weapon to dressing fashionably on a budget. But clothes aren’t the only thing that you can shop secondhand. Ask around among older students; they may want to get rid of their old books for cheap. You’ll save money and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.  

How Can High School Students Leverage Their Skills to Earn Money?

Don’t believe for a second that high school students don’t boast monetizable skills. If you’re reading this article, it means that you aren’t living under a rock. You probably run your own TikTok account or write essays regularly. Aside from that, perhaps you’ve designed websites for family members. Maybe you’re a whiz at video editing.

All of these experiences are valuable and should be top of mind when you’re brainstorming your money-making venture. If you want to build on your social media management skills, approach small businesses in your locality and show them how many followers you have. The same goes for writing. Many websites seek ghostwriters for their blog posts, so go ahead and get paid for writing them!

How Can High School Students Prepare for Financial Independence?

As a high school student, you may consider yourself a child unprepared to face life’s challenges. Nonetheless, the fact that you’re taking things seriously from such a young age bodes well for your future. So, what moves do you need to take to ensure financial independence? 

• Be a Good Student: Before you consider getting a job, ensure your grades are on point. Your education is your priority as a high school student. Without good grades, you won’t score a place in a college of your choice. Balancing your studies and a side gig won’t come easy, but time management apps ease the burden. Check out the urgent-important matrix, which comes in handy for prioritizing tasks.
• Get a Job: Financial independence starts with an income source and good education. While many jobs are only available to those 18 and above, you’ll find countless options for high school students. You can wash cars, walk dogs, or tutor your friends.
• Start a Venture: The best ventures are ones you don’t need to overlook meticulously. Many high school students are achieving financial autonomy by selling handmade goods, customizing clothes, and setting up dropshipping stores. These ventures come with lifelong lessons that will help you grow as you age.
• Save Your Money: Consider treating saving as an expense. As soon as you get your paycheck, put the money into your savings account. You may create an emergency fund for unpredicted expenses. It would help to research the highest-return accounts that offer interest rates reaching 4%. 
• Invest Intelligently: It’s never too early to start investing. Approach your parents and teachers for tips. Reddit is an excellent resource, too. Investing in long-term stocks will see your money grow as you age and perhaps even lead to early retirement. And as the experts will tell you, diversification is crucial!
• Educate Yourself: Learning is a lifelong journey, so enjoy it. Always make it a point to listen to educational podcasts, read books related to personal finance, and use the latest tools for efficiency and productivity. People who work and study smart will always be a step ahead – be one of them. 

Wrapping Up

It’s never too early to start thinking about finance and your future. As a high school student, you have an advantage. The years ahead will prove to be highly fruitful if you take the proper measures and learn all you need to know about making money.