How to Get Money at 13: A Guide for Teens

Earning money as a 13-year-old offers a path to independence and valuable lessons in managing resources. Building a foundation of earning and saving early develops sound financial habits. It also fosters accomplishment and self-reliance.

Understanding Age-Appropriate Work

For a 13-year-old seeking to earn money, the focus often shifts to informal work arrangements due to federal and state child labor laws. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) generally sets a minimum age of 14 for most non-agricultural employment, with specific exceptions. Work that is typically permissible for this age group includes casual jobs that do not fall under formal employer-employee relationships.

Examples of suitable opportunities involve providing services directly to individuals or families. These include yard work (mowing, raking, gardening), pet care (dog walking, pet sitting), babysitting, and car washing. Creative endeavors like crafts or lemonade stands also offer earning avenues. Online tasks require strict parental supervision and platform age adherence. Formal business employment (W-2, wage/hour regulations) is generally restricted, requiring parental guidance.

Finding Opportunities

Identifying avenues to earn money at 13 often begins within one’s immediate surroundings, leveraging existing relationships and community networks. Approaching neighbors, family friends, or relatives to inquire about potential odd jobs is an effective starting point. These personal connections can lead to opportunities for tasks like yard work, pet care, or other household assistance, which are typically well-suited for this age group.

To broaden the search, creating simple flyers or posting notices on local community boards, whether physical or online with parental oversight, can advertise available services. These materials should clearly state the services offered and provide contact information. Parental involvement in vetting potential opportunities and communicating with clients is important to ensure safety and appropriateness.

Effective communication with potential clients is also important, including clearly discussing the scope of work and agreed-upon payment terms upfront. This practice helps to manage expectations and ensures a professional approach to earning. While online platforms exist, they should be used with extreme caution and under strict parental supervision to ensure safety and compliance with terms of service. Focusing on direct, community-based interactions generally provides the most accessible and secure options for a 13-year-old.

Handling Earnings

Once money has been earned, managing it effectively is the next step, introducing basic financial literacy. Cash is a common form of payment for informal jobs, and it is advisable to keep a simple record of all income received. For payments made through digital applications, these accounts should be under strict parental control, often requiring a parent to manage the transactions on behalf of the minor.

Maintaining a basic record of money earned and spent, perhaps in a simple notebook or spreadsheet, helps track financial activity. This practice fosters an understanding of income and expenses, which is foundational to sound money management. It allows a young individual to see where their money is coming from and where it is going.

Regarding savings, a basic savings account opened jointly with a parent is a practical option, as minors cannot legally open accounts independently. Financial institutions offer custodial accounts, where the parent manages the funds for the child until they reach adulthood, or joint accounts where both parent and child have access, with the parent often having oversight and control over transactions. These accounts often have low or no fees and minimal balance requirements, providing a secure place to save money. A simple savings jar or envelope at home can also serve as a way to set aside money for specific goals, reinforcing the habit of saving a portion of earnings.

When considering the allocation of earnings, a practical approach involves dividing money into categories for saving, spending, and potentially charitable contributions. This simple division introduces financial planning and responsible money use.

For income tax purposes, a 13-year-old’s earnings are typically considered earned income. For the 2025 tax year, a dependent child must file a tax return if their earned income exceeds $1,350. They also must file if their total income (earned income plus $450) exceeds the standard deduction amount. If taxes were withheld, filing a return may yield a refund, even below the threshold. Self-employment income over $400, common in informal jobs, triggers self-employment tax obligations for Social Security and Medicare.