Note: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of The Teen Trillionaire, and is written purely based on the author's opinions.
Let’s set the scene. You are a teenager who have discovered us from Instagram or through word of mouth. While reading our articles, you might think to yourself, “Wow, I really can become a millionaire by the time I'm 60 and maybe retire early!” You may start to make a mental map towards your personal finance goals, but a strange thought suddenly hits you. You might realize, “Oh snap! I only get $100 from Grandma few times per year. That isn’t enough to invest in a Roth IRA or start up my drop-shipping store and have a consistent cash flow." The one solution to having a stable source of income also known as “earned income” is by getting a job.
Now you might think, “I'm just a teen, how can I get a job?!” Don't worry, all 50 states in the USA and some countries allow teens to work once they have reached a certain age. Like, in the state of California, once you are 14 you can apply for a worker’s permit from your school but will also have time restrictions such as you can only work 3 hours a day on school days. I recommend you look up your state or country’s laws regarding the minimum age to work and do your own research.
“But why should I get a job, is it smart for me?” Getting a job can be a great thing since you learn how to be responsible for time management, work with others, and get a paycheck. But keep in mind, there are taxes taken away from each paycheck, which can also help you learn to file taxes correctly and figure out how to make money from your tax returns. Since you get paid, you will also be able to learn how to manage your money wisely. It can also help you develop a skill or allow you to get paid for working with your passions.
In 2020, it may not be the best time to get a job since it can be dangerous working on the front lines as a grocery store clerk or jobs like being a waiter/waitress may not be available due to local health orders. There are also less traditional jobs like working as a part-time personal assistant or becoming a transcriptionist.
If you cannot get a job because of current public health orders or the dangerous conditions, use this time wisely. For me, I created a plan/budget on how I will spend my money. You may want to consider your goals. Are your goals to save for college/higher education? To buy a car? Save for the new Xbox or PlayStation? To start your Roth IRA? There are many goals out there, just make sure you have a plan for the money you are earning. Thank you for reading, good luck finding your first job to become a Teen Trillionarie!
Written by Ian Cohen