Key Takeaways
- You can make money from household chores starting today.
- Choose common household chores that fit your skills and schedule.
- Use smart allowance strategies to multiply your savings.
- Turn your skills into a side hustle by offering your help outside the home.
- Stay organised, be consistent, and treat it like a real job.
Hey there! If you’re like me, you’ve probably stared at your piggy bank and wondered how to make a little more money without having to leave the house or ask your parents for more cash.
The good news? You can earn money through different household chores and smart allowance strategies—and trust me, it actually works!
In this blog post, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned from years of doing chores to earn money, how to turn those tasks into a side hustle, and how to negotiate your allowance like a pro.
Let’s dive in!
Why Household Chores Are the Perfect Way to Start Making Money
When I first wanted to buy my own game console, I knew my parents wouldn’t just hand over the money. So I asked myself, “What do I have that’s valuable?” The answer? Time and energy.
That’s when I started doing more chores around the house—not just to help out, but to actually make money through chores. Household chores are a fantastic way to start earning because:
- You don’t need any experience or fancy equipment.
- You already know how to do most of them.
- You can work on your own schedule.
- It’s a great way to learn responsibility and time management.
Common Household Chores That Can Help You Make Money
Let’s start with the basics that almost everyone can do, and they’re perfect for earning extra cash:
1. Vacuuming and Sweeping
This is one of the easiest chores to start with. Offer to clean up the living room, hallways, or even your siblings’ messy rooms. You can charge per room or per session.
2. Dishwashing
Not fun, but super effective. If your family uses a lot of dishes, this chore is always in demand. I used to make $3 a night just by doing the dishes without being asked!
3. Laundry
Washing, drying, folding, and even ironing clothes. If you’re responsible enough, your parents might pay you a weekly rate for managing the family laundry.
4. Taking Out the Trash
This is quick and easy, and you can charge a flat weekly fee. Want to level up? Offer to take out the neighbour’s trash, too!
5. Pet Care
Walking the dog, feeding pets, cleaning cages—people love their pets and are often happy to pay someone to help.
6. Yard Work
Mowing the lawn, raking leaves, pulling weeds, or watering plants are chores that can make real money, especially during spring and summer.
7. Car Washing
If your family owns a car (or a few), washing and vacuuming them can turn into a profitable routine chore.
Tip: Combine multiple small tasks into a “chore bundle” for more money. For example, offer to vacuum, take out the trash, and wash the dishes for $10 per day.
Creative Chores to Make Money That You Might Not Have Thought Of
Sure, vacuuming is great, but here are a few lesser-known chores that helped me make even more:
8. Decluttering and Organising
Offer to organise closets, pantries, or storage areas. You’d be surprised how much people will pay just to avoid this task.
9. Tech Help
If you know how to use a computer or set up Wi-Fi, offer your help to parents or neighbours. I once earned $15 by helping someone set up their email!
10. Meal Prep Assistance
Help chop veggies, set the table, or clean up after cooking. Some families may even pay for help making school lunches.
11. Grocery Inventory
I used to go through our kitchen and make a list of what we needed. My mom loved it—and paid me $5 a week for it!
12. Cleaning Out the Garage or Attic
Dirty? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. I earned $30 in one weekend helping my uncle clean out his garage.
How to Set Up a Chore-for-Money System at Home
Now that you know the chores, here’s how to completely setting up household chores without turning it into a messy argument with your parents.
Step 1: Make a List of Chores You Can Do
Write down everything you’re willing and able to do. Be realistic.
Step 2: Assign a Value to Each Task
Ask your parents what they think each chore is worth. Suggest fair pricing (e.g., $2 for dishes, $5 for yard work).
Step 3: Create a Weekly Chore Chart
Use a whiteboard, a notebook, or even a free app like “OurHome” to track your progress and payments.
Step 4: Be Consistent
The key to making steady money through chores is to do them regularly and do them well.
Step 5: Get Feedback
Ask your family if they’re happy with your work. Positive feedback = more trust = more money opportunities.
Make Money from Allowance Strategies That Actually Work
Besides earning from chores, you can use allowance strategies to boost your income.
Here’s how I made the most of my weekly allowance:
1. Performance-Based Allowance
Instead of a flat amount, I asked for bonuses for completing extra chores. This motivated me to go above and beyond.
2. Save More, Get More
My parents offered to match my savings. If I saved $10, they’d give me $10 extra at the end of the month.
3. Goal-Oriented Allowance
I created goals like “Save $50 for a bike,” and every time I hit a milestone, I got rewarded.
4. Financial Journaling
Keeping track of income and spending helped me show my parents that I was responsible, which made them more willing to pay for completed chores.
How to Talk to Your Parents About Chore Money
It can feel weird to ask for money for helping at home, but here’s how I handled it:
Be respectful, and explain that you’re trying to learn responsibility and money management.
You could say something like:
“I’d like to help more around the house and was wondering if we could work out a system where I can earn some money for chores. I think it would help me understand the value of hard work.”
Most parents will appreciate the honesty and maturity.
Turning Household Chores into a Real Side Hustle
Once I built a good habit of doing chores at home, I started asking neighbors and family friends if they needed help. That’s when things really took off!
Here’s how you can do it too:
Step 1: Ask Your Neighbors
Say you’re offering help with yard work, trash, or pet care. Start with people you already know.
Step 2: Use a Simple Flyer
Create a basic flyer using Canva or even by hand. List your services, availability, and contact info.
Step 3: Be Reliable
Show up on time, do a good job, and you’ll get repeat business—and maybe tips too!
Step 4: Offer Packages
Example: “3 yard cleanups for $25” or “Pet care for the weekend – $30 flat rate.”
This turns chores into a micro-business—and it’s honestly fun once you get into it.
What I’ve Learned from Making Money Through Chores
Doing chores for money taught me some valuable life lessons:
- Work = reward. It feels amazing to earn something instead of being handed it.
- Time is money. I started valuing how I spend my afternoons.
- Money grows when you save. Even small amounts add up.
- Confidence builds with action. I went from nervous to confident just by getting started.
Final Thoughts
Making money from these tasks isn’t just about making a few bucks – it’s about building discipline, learning responsibility, and increasing your independence.
Whether you’re saving for something big or just want more control over your finances, there’s no better place to start than your own home.
So grab that broom, make a chore chart, and start collecting that chore cash—one chore at a time!
FAQs
1. What are the best chores to earn money as a kid?
Some of the best chores include vacuuming, doing dishes, laundry, yard work, and pet care. These tasks are simple but are always in demand at home.
2. How much can I earn by doing household chores?
Depending on the chores and how often you do them, you can earn anywhere from $10 to $50 a week or more. It adds up fast!
3. Can I turn chores into a small business?
Yes! Once you’re confident, offer your chore services to neighbors and friends. Yard work, cleaning, and pet sitting are great side hustles.
4. How do I ask my parents to pay me for chores?
Be respectful and honest. Say something like, “I’d like to learn responsibility and earn money by helping more around the house.”
5. What’s a smart way to manage my allowance?
Set goals, save a portion, and track your spending. Ask your parents about savings matches or interest to grow your money faster.
