THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX UNCONVENTIONAL SUMMER JOBS FOR TEENS
PETSITTING AND HOUSESITTING If your teen is trustworthy and responsible, there’s no
As your teen becomes more independent, they may be interested in getting a summer job. Whether they want to save up for a big purchase or just have some extra spending money, summer jobs can solidify the importance of hard work and responsibility for your child. Plus, the earlier your teen starts, the sooner they can learn how to manage their money. Fast-food restaurants and clothing stores are popular first jobs, but encourage your teen to think outside the box and try one of these creative money-making opportunities. ONLINE SURVEYS AND REVIEWS Companies are eager for consumer feedback, and they are willing to pay for it. Sites like Swagbucks and MySurvey offer members the opportunity to complete tasks like taking surveys, writing reviews, and watching videos to redeem rewards in the form of cash or gift cards. Teens can also preview up-and-coming music as reviewers on Slice the Pie. Sites like these require quite a bit of work for a relatively small wage, but they can be the perfect first job for a child who wants to try earning a few bucks for the first time. Teens under the age of 18 will require parental consent. VIRTUAL STOREFRONTS If your child has a flare for arts, crafts, or anything else DIY, encourage them to set up an Etsy shop. There are no membership fees, and after Etsy’s 3.5 percent cut, sellers receive their profits via PayPal. Minors aged 13–17 must have a parent or legal guardian manage their Etsy account.
reason they can’t work for neighbors, friends, and family. Most professional petsitting and housesitting services require their sitters to be over 18, but Care.com allows teens 14–17 to register as “Teen Providers” with parental consent. Depending on where you live and how much experience your teen has, they can expect to earn $15–30 per visit, and they may be able to ask for more to stay overnight. Help your teen get the word out by posting on social media. Most importantly, keep your teen safe by helping them screen clients and teaching them what information to share. Summer jobs are a great way for teens to earn extra cash and learn responsibility. The next time your teen asks you for money to go to the movies, encourage them to earn some spending cash of their own. Who knows? They might actually treat you to a movie sometime!
3 A/C MISTAKES TO AVOID
LOWER ENERGY COSTS WHILE KEEPING COOL
NEGLECTING YOUR FILTERS
Well, summer’s finally here, and you know what that means: beautiful sunshine and a chance to get outdoors, accompanied by sweltering, egg- cooking temperatures in our buildings and homes. Luckily, an estimated 75 percent of Americans have air conditioning on their side, keeping them from melting into their couches this summer. But it can be difficult to keep A/C costs low while avoiding a puddle of sweat gathering in your bed as you sleep. Here are three air conditioning mistakes you might be making. A lot of people assume that if they shut off the air conditioning while they’re at work, they’ll save money. Unfortunately, though, when you completely shut off your system, it takes a lot of energy to get it going again — more than that brief period of savings covers. Instead, you should invest in a programmable thermostat and set it to a higher temperature for the periods that you’re away. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but it can net you massive savings in the long run, not to mention prevent you from coming home to a superheated cave. TURNING THE A/C OFF WHEN YOU’RE GONE
The filters for your A/C unit are notoriously easy to forget about. Many people never bother changing their filters out at all, leaving them to collect heaps of dust and debris. Even modest clogs can drastically reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system; while it may feel just as cool in your home, your system is working overtime to achieve the same result. Make sure that you check your filter every couple of months and replace it as needed.
LEAVING THE BLINDS UP
As satisfying as it may be to throw open the blinds in the morning and let the sunshine flood in, if you leave them that way when you leave for work, you’re asking for a toasty home when you come back. Lower energy costs by closing all the blinds during the day and opening whichever ones are facing away from the sun when you’re around.
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