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How do I start making money as a 14 year old consistently to save up for a bike that I want, its 3.5k, I want to try and reach this goal before this year ends hopefully sooner.?
I’ve been super interested in owning a business and entrepreneurship in general, I make just random ideas for fun like owning a clothing brand, owning restaurants and what not. But for this i’ve been super interested in the scene of electric dirt bikes and have been wanting one for so long now. Its a lot of money but I feel like if others can, so can I. I’ve been wanting a pool business where I clean pools since I do my own pool at home, but when I went out door to door they either werent home, had a no soliciting sign, or had no pool, so I want something that can make me money but especially be consistent and have clients by the week. I’d much rather have it where I sell something that I can create but I really don’t have any good ideas with that. But I did get a few jobs, it took me 3 hours going door to door for 3 one off jobs that did get me money, but it would be 120 and then back to going door to door and I went through like 3 neighborhoods around me, I just don’t know what to do and hopefully can be guided in the right direction. Thank you!!
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Liam’s Answer
Danny you already have a great start! Keep the habit of going to door to door and finding people that you can do work for. Respect the no soliciting signs but if you happen to know the person that lives in the house its probably ok to knock!
Instead of looking at work as "I do pool service so I can offer you pool services" think more along the lines "I do many services, which services do you need?" Find what the people in your area need and offer to help with that. Lawn pickup, trash removal, light house cleanup, walking or cleaning up after dogs, moving boxes in their house, watching a house, and picking up mail and packages when people are away are all super helpful and can be a nice first step into a self made business.
Consider the time to income involved. If you go to a house and someone gives you $5 to dig a hole in their lawn and that takes all afternoon, is that worth it to you? The opposite is you have nothing to do and a whole afternoon to waste so why not make $5? You need to figure that balance out based on your need for money and time. This is the real skill when starting a business so I cannot answer that for you.
Vianne's answers involving making goods is a great idea as well! Use that idea to diversify what you do! Let's say you have a lawn business but it is going to rain all week and its not going to work for you. Stay at home and make bracelets and sell them later!
People really like seeing a kid that is out trying to make an honest dollar by figuring out how to be helpful! I did it a few times as a kid as well and while I didn't make much money it did show people that I wanted to work!
About a month ago there was a heavy snow/ ice fall in my area and we were impacted in my area. I went outside to clear my smallish driveway and to clear my walkway. As I was outside I did not see one kid outside with a shovel asking to clear sidewalks at all. When I was a kid this was the time to make money! I remember one time getting $25 for just clearing stairs (like 15min of work) and the lady was super thankful because she didn't have a chance to clear them and had her family coming to visit later on. (Also $25 in 1993 money was not too shabby!!). But this would not have worked in July, same as how pool service is not going to work for people with no pool.
If you want to be really proactive and work the pool service angle in 2026, use google maps or google earth to map out houses that have pools and leave them a business card with some basic contact information. Likewise find homes with a big lawn, yard cleanup. Find homes with big porches and stairs, exterior cleanup. I would recommend using help from an adult here just to make sure you don't cross boundaries or offer yourself to a job that is bigger than what you can handle. After you make contacts with people save their name, number and address in a book so you can connect with them later and call them when you are available for work.
Again you are doing the right steps, just keep at it and think creatively about what services people want!
Instead of looking at work as "I do pool service so I can offer you pool services" think more along the lines "I do many services, which services do you need?" Find what the people in your area need and offer to help with that. Lawn pickup, trash removal, light house cleanup, walking or cleaning up after dogs, moving boxes in their house, watching a house, and picking up mail and packages when people are away are all super helpful and can be a nice first step into a self made business.
Consider the time to income involved. If you go to a house and someone gives you $5 to dig a hole in their lawn and that takes all afternoon, is that worth it to you? The opposite is you have nothing to do and a whole afternoon to waste so why not make $5? You need to figure that balance out based on your need for money and time. This is the real skill when starting a business so I cannot answer that for you.
Vianne's answers involving making goods is a great idea as well! Use that idea to diversify what you do! Let's say you have a lawn business but it is going to rain all week and its not going to work for you. Stay at home and make bracelets and sell them later!
People really like seeing a kid that is out trying to make an honest dollar by figuring out how to be helpful! I did it a few times as a kid as well and while I didn't make much money it did show people that I wanted to work!
About a month ago there was a heavy snow/ ice fall in my area and we were impacted in my area. I went outside to clear my smallish driveway and to clear my walkway. As I was outside I did not see one kid outside with a shovel asking to clear sidewalks at all. When I was a kid this was the time to make money! I remember one time getting $25 for just clearing stairs (like 15min of work) and the lady was super thankful because she didn't have a chance to clear them and had her family coming to visit later on. (Also $25 in 1993 money was not too shabby!!). But this would not have worked in July, same as how pool service is not going to work for people with no pool.
If you want to be really proactive and work the pool service angle in 2026, use google maps or google earth to map out houses that have pools and leave them a business card with some basic contact information. Likewise find homes with a big lawn, yard cleanup. Find homes with big porches and stairs, exterior cleanup. I would recommend using help from an adult here just to make sure you don't cross boundaries or offer yourself to a job that is bigger than what you can handle. After you make contacts with people save their name, number and address in a book so you can connect with them later and call them when you are available for work.
Again you are doing the right steps, just keep at it and think creatively about what services people want!
Updated
Douglas’s Answer
Just like you, I dreamed of having a small motorcycle when I was twelve. I figured a part-time job would help me save up for it. I found a small restaurant that hired me to work a few hours after school and on Saturdays. In just four months, I saved enough to buy a new Yamaha 100 and a helmet. Keep going after your dreams! The work habits you build now will help you succeed in the future.
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Vianne’s Answer
Choose a small neighborhood and visit during times when people are usually home, like late afternoons or weekends. Offer a simple deal, such as a discount on the first cleaning followed by a weekly service. Securing 4 to 6 regular clients at a lower rate can quickly add up compared to occasional $120 jobs. You can also offer additional services like pool cleaning, yard cleanup, or trash bin washing to increase your value.
If you're interested in creating and selling something, focus on small, repeatable items rather than aiming for perfection. People your age often succeed with products like custom bracelets, car air fresheners, simple baked goods, or DIY cleaning kits.
If you're interested in creating and selling something, focus on small, repeatable items rather than aiming for perfection. People your age often succeed with products like custom bracelets, car air fresheners, simple baked goods, or DIY cleaning kits.
Updated
Anshul’s Answer
You can do part time job to raise the money which will not impact your studies , all the best
Hi Anshul, do you have any part-time job suggestions for Danny?
Sharyn Grose, Admin