A Summer of Success

BY ELLE BRIONES AND IZZY BAE

Looking to make a little money over the summer? This is the article for you! We have put together a collection of ideas such as mowing lawns, gardening, dog walking, and many more to help you get started. Whether you’re 5 or 14, we have options for you so read on, and your summer of success will begin!

If you’re a creative person at heart and love making things, but have too much, these jobs could satisfy your need to always be producing art! If your creativity is culinary, food is a great way to make money. Bake sales and lemonade stands are some of the best food selling options, though there are some good tips to stick to when pursuing this task. At a lemonade stand, always use fresh ingredients, and if you don’t want to go with a simple lemonade, you could try making it with watermelon, or raspberry juice! Use disposable containers for the drink, so they are easier for your customer to use on the go. Treat your customers kindly, don’t yell or try to attract attention that way, be calm and polite about it. When hosting a bake sale, make sure you are selling good treats that you know are popular, so they are more likely to get bought. When baking the confection, make sure your hair is up (if you have longer hair,) and make sure you don’t eat or touch the batter.

Making jewelry is a definite way to spend all that creative energy! Here are a few tips: whether it be a fancy gold chain with jewels, or a simple yarn bracelet, only sell your best work; make sure to check that you don’t misadvertise your products, and you’re all set. Now go and get making!

If you’re a “kid person”, and love spending time with younger ages, these are the tasks for you! Ask around your neighborhood for any parents who are in need of child care or tutoring. When taking care of a child, engage and entertain them, make sure they are having fun. Check for allergies, ask the parents for anything else you would need to know (emergency numbers, daily medicine/vitamins, conditions, phobias) have their favorite snacks and water bottle on hand and don’t have friends over (or check your phone).

When tutoring or teaching a kid younger than you, be kind, correct them gently, and take time explaining it. Adapt to their learning needs which may require you to try approaches to teaching.

Always tutor in a subject you’re strong in, and make sure you’re teaching it correctly.

If you enjoy being active and doing work outside, try reaching out to a neighbor or a relative and see if they need any help with their yard! If you help out in their garden, be sure to distribute the water evenly around the plant, and in towards the roots, less so on the leaves. you have adult’s permission to use a lawn mower, you could offer to mow their lawn. Be slow, and make the rows align well and blend seamlessly.

Are you a definite neat freak and enjoy the satisfaction of a transformation from dirty to clean? These jobs could be just perfect for you! Car washing is an easy task that almost anyone can do. Make sure to be gentle, and use a softer setting on the water hose so you don’t chip the paint.

Selling old or too small items is another easy and productive task to make money! Instead of just recycling old clothes, you can do a little “make-over magic” on your clothing with these simple tasks, making them look good as new. Wash, iron and lint roll to make sure they look their best. Don’t sell items that have rips, fraying, stains, or pills. With these easy steps, your clothes have officially been upgraded and are ready to sell!

Love animals and everything about them? Dog sitting is one of the best jobs you can do to spend time with animals! You of course always want them in their best state, so make sure you take them out! If you don’t, they may get antsy or yippy, which is never fun to deal with. Also, be certain to feed them the right amount, not too much, but not too little. They should only eat their designated food, nothing else. Leave them a bowl of water, and play with them often. Always keep them happy and occupied, so you can be too! Dog walking is a great option for younger kids that may not be able to dog sit. Although it may seem easy, there are some things you should know. Take your time, and let the pet lead you (not too much though). Make sure you give them time to use the bathroom and pick up all remains. Before the walk check that the leash is securely clipped on the harness to prevent any accidents.

If you are a good swimmer and enjoy spending your hot summer days by the water, lifeguarding and swimming instruction could work for you! You need to get certified for this job, and you can usually go to any local pool and take this training course. This is typically a week or weekend long training. Some skills you will be taught during this course are CPR and the Heimlich. You should ALWAYS be looking at the pool to ensure the safety of swimmers you are watching. Stick to these tasks and what you learned from your course, and you will be a successful lifeguard all summer long. c For custom bracelets (top) contact Isla G. at islagranowetter@gmail.com.