9 Easy Ways for Teens to Make Extra Money with Less Than $50

Ever wished you could make some extra cash without begging your parents or getting stuck in a boring job? Well, you’re in luck! With just $50 (or even less), you can start your own small business and make money doing something fun. Whether you’re a creative genius, a tech whiz, or just really good at walking dogs, there’s an option for you.

Here are 9 Easy Ways for Teens to Make Extra Money with Less Than $50, with simple steps, useful tips, and a few laughs along the way.

1. Print-on-Demand Stickers & Merch – Sell Cool Stuff Without Owning Inventory

Ever wanted to see your own designs on a t-shirt, a mug, or even a sticker? With print-on-demand (POD), you can sell custom products without dealing with inventory, shipping, or packaging. Just design, upload, and let the platform do the rest!

How to Get Started:

1. Create a Free Design – Use Canva or Adobe Express to design funny, trendy, or niche-specific graphics (think gaming, anime, or school memes).
2. Choose a POD Platform – Sites like Printify, Teespring, and Printful let you sell for free!
3. Upload Your Designs – Add them to stickers, shirts, mugs, phone cases, and more.
4. Promote Your Store – Share your shop on TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest.
5. Earn Per Sale – Stickers sell for $3-$5 (you keep $1-$2), and t-shirts go for $20-$25 (you earn $5-$10).

How to Spend $50:

✅ $30 – Optional Facebook or Instagram ads to promote designs.
✅ $20 – Domain name (optional, if you want to build a personal brand).

💡 Pro Tip: Start with stickers—they’re cheap, easy to sell, and super popular!

2. Tutoring – Get Paid to Be Smart

If you’re good at math, science, or English, you can make money helping other students understand their homework (without falling asleep).

How to Get Started:

1. Pick Your Subject & Set a Price – Charge $10–$20 per hour (more for advanced subjects).
2. Find Clients – Advertise on school bulletin boards, Facebook groups, or through word of mouth.
3. Use Free Study Resources – Websites like Khan Academy and Quizlet make tutoring easier.
4. Set a Tutoring Schedule – After school or weekends work best.
5. Expand Services – Offer homework help, test prep, or group tutoring for extra earnings.

How to Spend $50:

✅ $20 – Flyers and printed worksheets.
✅ $15 – Notebook and planner for tracking progress.
✅ $15 – Facebook ads or website to attract students.

💡 Funny Tip: If your student says, “When will I ever use algebra in real life?” just smile and say, “When you start making money with it—like me!”

3. Freelance Graphic Design – Make Money by Being Creative

Got an eye for design? Businesses and influencers always need graphics, and you don’t need to be Picasso to start.

How to Get Started:

1. Learn the Basics – Use Canva (free), GIMP (free), or Photoshop (paid).
2. Build a Portfolio – Create 5–10 sample designs.
3. Find Clients – Offer services on Fiverr, Upwork, or Facebook groups.
4. Set Your Prices – Charge $10–$50 per project for logos, posters, or business cards.
5. Deliver & Get Paid – Use PayPal or Venmo for payments.

How to Spend $50:

✅ $20 – Canva Pro for better design tools.
✅ $15 – Facebook ad to find clients.
✅ $15 – Domain for a simple portfolio website.

💡 Pro Tip: Focus on real estate agents, influencers, and small businesses—they always need graphics!

4. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking – Get Paid to Hang Out with Dogs

Love dogs? This might be the easiest (and cutest) way to make money.

How to Get Started:

1. Advertise Locally – Put up flyers, post on Nextdoor, or join Rover.com.
2. Set Rates – Charge $10–$20 per walk (30–60 mins).
3. Provide Extra Value – Send pet owners photos of their pets for extra trust points.
4. Schedule Repeat Clients – Offer weekly bookings for steady income.

How to Spend $50:

✅ $15 – Business cards & flyers.
✅ $15 – Dog treats and waste bags.
✅ $20 – First-aid kit for emergencies.

💡 Funny Tip: If a dog looks at you like you owe them rent, just hand over a treat—they’re the boss now.

5. Flipping Thrift Store Finds – Turn Cheap Stuff into Big Profits

Thrift stores are goldmines for hidden treasures—buy cheap, sell high!

How to Get Started:

1. Visit Thrift Stores – Look for branded clothes, vintage items, and rare books.
2. Check Prices Online – Use eBay, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace.
3. Take Good Photos – Use natural light to make items look great.
4. List & Sell – Offer local pickup or shipping for more buyers.

How to Spend $50:

✅ $30 – Buying thrift store items.
✅ $10 – Shipping materials.
✅ $10 – Cleaning supplies to restore items.

💡 Pro Tip: Find Nike, Adidas, or Levi’s items—they resell fast!

6. Car Wash & Detailing – Make Money with Soap and Suds

Washing cars might sound like hard work, but it’s an easy way to make quick cash—especially in warmer months when people don’t want to do it themselves.

How to Get Started:

1. Gather Supplies – You’ll need car wash soap, sponges, microfiber cloths, and a bucket.
2. Find Customers – Ask family, friends, and neighbors. Post on Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor.
3. Offer a Basic Wash Package – Charge $10–$15 per car for a simple exterior wash.
4. Offer Add-On Services – Interior vacuuming ($5 extra), tire shining ($5 extra).
5. Wash Cars & Get Paid – Work in a driveway, parking lot, or their home.

How to Spend $50:

✅ $20 – Car wash soap, sponges, and microfiber towels.
✅ $15 – Tire shine and wax.
✅ $15 – Bucket, drying towels, and a spray bottle.

💡 Funny Tip: If a bird poops on the car right after you wash it, don’t take it personally—they’re just jealous of your skills.

7. Tech Help for Seniors – Get Paid to Fix Simple Tech Problems

Older folks often struggle with smartphones, computers, and even Netflix. That’s where you come in!

How to Get Started:

1. Create a Service List – Offer help with phones, social media, email, video calls, and smart TVs.
2. Find Clients – Post flyers in community centers, libraries, or churches.
3. Offer a Free 15-Minute Session – This builds trust and gets people interested.
4. Charge Per Session – $10–$20 for a 30–60 minute lesson.
5. Expand Services – Offer to set up smart TVs, troubleshoot Wi-Fi, or teach online shopping.

How to Spend $50:

✅ $20 – Flyers and business cards.
✅ $15 – Notebook for tracking client needs.
✅ $15 – A simple website or Facebook ad.

💡 Pro Tip: Teach seniors how to FaceTime their grandkids, and they’ll love you forever (and tell all their friends about you).

8. Homemade Baked Goods – Sell Cookies, Brownies & Cupcakes

Got baking skills? People love homemade treats—especially at school events, local markets, and family gatherings.

How to Get Started:

1. Pick a Simple Recipe – Stick to cookies, brownies, or cupcakes (they’re easiest to sell).
2. Buy Ingredients in Bulk – Flour, sugar, eggs, butter, chocolate chips—it’s cheaper this way!
3. Bake & Package – Use ziplock bags or small paper boxes for easy sales.
4. Sell at School or Events – Charge $1–$3 per item or offer bundles (4 cookies for $5).
5. Take Special Orders – Offer birthday, holiday, or event packages.

How to Spend $50:

✅ $25 – Baking ingredients.
✅ $15 – Packaging supplies (ziplock bags, cupcake liners).
✅ $10 – Flyers and social media ads.

💡 Funny Tip: If someone asks, “Did you really make these?” just give them a serious look and say, “Of course, I’m a professional.”

9. Selling Stock Photos – Make Money from Your Camera

Got a smartphone? You can sell your photos online for passive income—meaning you make money while doing nothing!

How to Get Started:

1. Use a Smartphone or Camera – Modern phones take high-quality pictures.
2. Choose Popular Photo Themes – Nature, cityscapes, food, people using technology.
3. Edit Photos for Free – Use Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile, or Photoshop Express.
4. Upload to Stock Websites – Sell photos on Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Unsplash.
5. Earn Passive Income – Each download earns $0.25 to $1 per photo.

How to Spend $50:

✅ $30 – Phone tripod and clip-on lens for better shots.
✅ $10 – Light reflector for professional lighting.
✅ $10 – Social media ads to promote your portfolio.

💡 Pro Tip: Business-related photos (laptops, coffee shops, teamwork) sell the best!

Final Thoughts – Start Small, Dream Big!

Each of these money-making ideas can turn $50 into $100, $500, or even more! Whether you’re washing cars, selling cookies, or helping grandparents with their iPhones, the key is consistency—the more effort you put in, the more cash you’ll make.

So, which idea do you want to try first? Who knows—you might just be the next teenage entrepreneur! 🚀

FAQs

❓ Can I do multiple side hustles at once?
✅ Yes! Many of these ideas work together—you can sell cookies AND offer tech help.

❓ Do I need my parents’ permission?
✅ If you’re under 18, it’s best to check—especially for handling money online.

❓ How do I avoid scams?
✅ Stick to trusted platforms like Fiverr, Redbubble, and Rover. Never pay someone upfront to “get started.”

❓ What if I don’t have $50?
✅ Start with a zero-cost hustle, like tutoring or pet sitting, then reinvest your earnings.

❓ How long before I start making money?
✅ Some side hustles (like tutoring) pay immediately, while others (like print-on-demand) take a few weeks to gain traction.

Ready to start making money? 🚀

For more in-depth insights, check out our blog, where we have additional articles you may find interesting.