Episode 10 : How I Make Money as a Teen (My Income Streams at 13!)

It’s episode 50 of the Cash Kid Podcast!

Yep, we’ve covered 50 topics related to teaching my generation how to earn, save, and invest their money earlier in life. 

It’s my mission to create  generation that’s more informed about their finances, one that asks more questions, smarter money management skills, and less stress.

But one things we haven’t discussed is, how does the Cash Kid make money.

Now in season 3 of this show we’ve been focused on spotlighting other fellow
“Cash Kids” about ways they’ve been making money. And what we’ve learned from talking with this kids and teens is there are so many ways for us to make some extra cash while young. 

So, I thought I would spotlight some of the ways I’ve been exploring to make some extra cash. Let’s dive in. The Cash Kid Podcast is underway!

[musical interlude transition]

1: My Part-Time Job

Alright, I’m not going to lie. I might get a little excited and run down a few rabbit holes when I learn about ways to make money. The most recent was how to create a faceless YouTube channel. This is where you create a bunch of YouTube shorts and post on social to make get a bunch of vanity views and make money on YouTube.  There’s a 16-year-old who touts he’s made millions doing this. He had a simple course you could even take to see how he does it. I watched it. I tried it. It’s harder than it looks.  

I’ve had a few other things like that one as well and honestly, I learn a little from doing research and knowing what’s a vital option or what’s going to really take a lot more time and energy that I have to give to make it work. 

So this focus on ane of the first ways I make money—and that’s through working at the concessions stands at our local sporting events in my town. I found out about this by seeing kids my age and hearing them talk about working here. I thought I could do it to so I texted the Owner and I got the job.

Now, don’t get me wrong, juggling school, a podcast, and a job can be a lot. But working at the concession stand has been a great way for me to generate income. It’s steady, predictable, and gives me the freedom to invest in my other business ventures. 

Funny fact, one night I was working the concession stand at a high school basket ball game. I had a customer ask if I speak French. Well turns out, I am currently taking French and I was able to take his order in French. He tipped me $5 bucks!

(Say something in French)

If you’re looking for a steady income, and old enough to work, consider getting a part-time job at places like Publix, your local concession stands, or any other businesses in your area. Even if it’s just a few hours a week, it’s a great way to start making your own money and learning how to manage it. 

Lesson Learned: What’s a lesson learned from this venture. Keep your eyes and ears open! I learned about this one from a friend discussing it and then researched it myself. There are always opportunities around you to make money—you just have to be ready to take them.

2: Buying, Selling, and Trading Sports Cards

Another way I make money is by flipping sports cards. I sell through two platforms: eBay and Whatnot. You’ve probably heard of eBay, and Whatnot is an auction-based site where you can buy and sell cards in real time.

Flipping sports cards is easier than most people think. I spend about an hour each week searching for cards at a low price, buying them, and then reselling them at a higher value. Setting up an account on these platforms takes a little time, but once you’re in, it’s super easy to list, sell, and ship. Plus, both sites offer prepaid shipping labels, making the process even smoother. With this I have learned to speak in front of a live audience, how to ship items, how to be prompt and professional, and people skills

If sports cards aren’t your thing, you can do this with sneakers, vintage clothing, or even collectibles. The key is to buy low and sell high! 

Lesson Learned: Selling sports cards taught me how to talk to a live audience and present myself well so that customers trust me and want to buy from me. Confidence and communication are key!

3: Selling 3D-Printed Items

Another way I make money is by selling 3D-printed items. Two Christmases ago, my brother got a 3D printer, but after a couple of months, he lost interest. I saw an opportunity after watching Instagram videos of people selling 3D-printed products, so I put that printer to work!

I started making small fidget toys and selling them to my peers and on eBay. Within two days, I had already made $100. The best part? The printer does most of the work! I just load the filament, press a few buttons, and wait for the products to print. The profit margins are high—sometimes 400-500+%! Also, I had the opportunity to sell at a local business at thier Young Entrepreneur week. And  made around $150 in like 2 hours!

If you have a 3D printer or anything else lying around that you can repurpose to make money, go for it! There’s always a way to turn something you already have into cash.

Lesson Learned: A lesson I learned here is  to use what you already have! Sometimes, making money isn’t about finding something new—it’s about seeing the potential in what’s right in front of you.

4: The Podcast

Of course, one of the hardest ways I make money is through this podcast. I’m not gonna lie. Sometimes I wish some rich donor would just email us and say, “I think this concept is great. Here’s some money to help you run your show and make it easier.”

But no donor has showed up yet. (laught)

Running the Cash Kid Podcast isn’t just about hitting record—I have to write scripts, research topics, manage social media, and engage with all of you. It takes a lot of time and effort, but I absolutely love it! Many told us a podcast is more a labor or love, and we get that now.

Building a podcast or any content-based business takes patience. But once you grow your audience, you can monetize through sponsorships, merchandise, and ad revenue. Speaking of which—if you want to support the podcast, visit our website, check out our merch, and spread the Cash Kid love! Every share, every listen, and every purchase of merch helps us keep bringing you awesome content. Find everything at cashKidpodcast.com, then hit merch.

Lesson Learned: The lessons I’ve learned from running a podcast are innumerable honestly. Time and dedication will always bring more results. The more effort you put into something, the more rewards you’ll see over time.

Final Thoughts

So, let’s recap the key lessons I’ve learned while making money:

• Keep your eyes and ears open – Opportunities to make money are everywhere!

• Learn to present yourself well – Whether it’s flipping sports cards or pitching an idea, communication is everything.

• Use what you already have – Sometimes, your next business idea is sitting right in front of you.

• Time and dedication bring results – The more effort you put into something, the more you’ll get out of it.

Alright, Cash Kids, now it’s your turn! Are you ready to take what you’ve learned and start making your own money? Whether it’s through a part-time job, flipping items, 3D printing, or even starting your own podcast, there’s always a way to get started.

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube @cashkidpodcast, and stay tuned for the next episode. 

Remember—anyone can be a Cash Kid; you just have to learn how to become one.

Cash Kid, out!