How to Make Money Over the Summer

When school is out, many adults will encourage you to get a summer job. They often don’t explain how to find a summer job, manage your spending, or save some of what you earn. Whether you’re looking to build up your savings or just want more freedom to spend, here are 10 tips to help you make money this summer as a teen or young adult.

1. Start early

If you wait until break to start applying for a summer job, you might miss out. Since lots of students start job hunting around the same time, the best positions can be taken quickly and competition may be tough. Evan, a student at Kansas State, shares why it pays to get a head start on your summer job search:

“Summer positions fill up quickly, so begin applying in April or May. In short, apply early and apply often. Submit multiple applications a day. Don’t be afraid to create your own opportunities.…While summer may not be the carefree break it once was, it is still valuable time. By working hard now, I can reduce financial stress later and build skills that will benefit me after graduation.”

Evan B. Kansas State University

2. Show up in person

Having a polished resume can keep your application in the running, but showing up in person and making a good impression could be what sets you apart from the other candidates. A student from Virginia Commonwealth University shares her best tip for getting a job interview:

“A great tip that I have been using since I have started working at 16 is show your face! The job market everywhere is very competitive and it is easy for your resume to get lost in a filing drawer or computer system. Visit the place you wish to become an employee on a day and at a time it is usually not busy…and introduce yourself! Explain that you put in an application and are enthusiastic about joining the team and pitch yourself. Tell them a quick rundown of your qualities and encourage them to consider you for an interview so they can get to know you more. Dress neatly and be confident and poised!”

Anje M. Virginia Commonwealth University

3. Don't get discouraged

You might not get the first job you apply for, and that is completely normal. Try not to get discouraged, as rejection often redirects you to a better fit. Caleb, a student at North Carolina A&T University, shares his advice and encouragement to stay persistent during the job hunt:

“A tip that I would give to my peers is to just keep applying. The job market is very unforgiving and attaining a job is not always easy without certain connections. This means usually applying to just one or two jobs won’t just land you employment. Dedicating time each day to apply to at least a few jobs will increase the chances of finally securing one.”

Caleb W. North Carolina A&T State University

4. Find word of mouth opportunities

One of the easiest ways for teens to earn money is by using your personal network. Think about offering your services and skills, like washing cars, mowing lawns, pet sitting, and graphic design, to people you already know. If they like your work, they may spread the word to others. Cecily, a student from Dallas Baptist University, shares how she utilizes her college network to make money:

“For other students looking to boost their income over the summer, my biggest tip is to take advantage of opportunities you already have access to. Start by asking neighbors, family, friends, or community members if they need help with childcare, pet care, yard work, or other odd jobs. I have noticed that word of mouth can go a long way. If you do good work, people will refer you to others.”

Cecily J. Dallas Baptist University

5. Create a schedule

Summer can get busy. Maybe you’re working full-time and still showing up for team practices, or balancing a part-time job with a summer side hustle. Whatever your schedule looks like, staying organized is key to doing your best. Calvin University student Addison shares how she manages her time and keeps a positive work-life balance:

“Another piece of advice I’ve learned through four busy years of high school is to create a schedule. Especially when balancing multiple jobs or summer practices, it’s important to have a plan. Take time to map out your weeks, it really helps. But just as important, make sure to avoid burnout. You deserve to enjoy your summer, too. Like every other kid, you should spend time with friends, stay up late, sleep in, and enjoy everything else that makes summer special. As long as you manage your time well, you can meet your financial goals while avoiding burnout.”

Addison M. Calvin University

6. Find a job you enjoy doing

A job can start to feel like a drag if you don’t like what you’re doing. It doesn’t have to have to be your dream job this summer, but finding something you enjoy makes earning a paycheck a lot more bearable in the long term. You can turn your love for animals into income by dog walking, or put your organizational skills to work helping a small business as a virtual assistant. Henry, a student from the University of Vermont, shares his take on choosing the right kind of work:

“A great Chinese philosopher named Confucius, once said ‘The man who loves his job never works a day in his life.’ From conducting research in earth science to contributing to communities I’ve been a part of for years, I always strive to follow this saying...Rather than looking for the highest-paying jobs and finding one you like, when fiscally possible, look for jobs you think you’d enjoy and narrow it down from there. I promise that the emotional fulfillment will be worth it. And, if you really like your job, you might not even work a single day.”

Henry S. University of Vermont

7. Have a savings goal or game

When you’re working hard all summer and putting most of your paycheck into savings, it’s easy to feel burned out or unmotivated. In order to meet your summer savings goal (and make saving a little more fun), set a clear goal or try turning it into a creative savings challenge. A University of the Pacific student shares how gamifying her savings keeps her motivated: 

“My top tips for fellow students looking to build their savings accounts or earn extra income to put towards tuition—outside of budgeting—is to make it a game. Have a goal in mind, whether it be to save for an item, like a car or new high-end jewelry, or even to pay off tuition or see a higher number in their bank account. Making a game with your goal will help keep your mind focused and give the sense of accomplishment needed to continue saving…Engaging that fun factor as well as having a prominent goal in mind will allow you to stay focused and see the finish line.”

Jordan B. University of the Pacific

8. Mind your budget

Summer break does not mean taking a break from your college budget. If you need extra motivation to save, pick one spending category to cut back on. For example, skip the apps that deliver food, like Uber Eats, and challenge yourself to cook at home instead. Lillian, a student from Palm Beach Atlantic University, shares how she plans to spend less on food:

“My advice for other students would be to secure a summer job and stay mindful of your budget. It’s easy to overspend on things like eating out or buying unnecessary items, but cooking your own meals can save a lot. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are fantastic tools for finding affordable, easy recipes, and asking your parents for help with groceries can lighten the load too. I know the recipes I test from online will help me avoid overspending on food during the school months. By managing your money carefully, you can make the most of the summer and set yourself up for future success.”

Lillian Q. Palm Beach Atlantic University

9. Make work interesting

Your summer gig may feel exciting at first, but towards the end of the season, you may be counting down the days until the school year. You can keep things fun by creating small challenges or “side quests” for yourself at work. Whether you work from home, work in customer service, or anywhere in between, you can take Jaxon’s go-to tip for keeping work interesting: 

“Find something productive that you're good at and make slight tweaks or adjustments in your schedule to make it interesting. Put on a different playlist, try to get a certain number of steps in during your shift, or try some new strategies that might stick. It may seem simple but just a small adjustment in a schedule you are extremely used to could make it seem so much fresher. This could then snowball into you taking more shifts and therefore earning some extra cash.”

Jaxon T. California Polytechnic State University

10. Push yourself

During the school year, you might choose a job because it works well with your class schedule. However, in the summer, you have much more flexibility to try something exciting. Whether it’s supervising activities as a day camp counselor in Maine, sharpening your skills as a golf caddy, or launching your own DJ side gig, now’s the time to try something new. Madelyn shares her advice for making the most of your summer: 

“Advice I would give to a younger student would be to push yourself. It is scary going into your first job and not knowing anything, but it is a huge learning experience and you learn about yourself, your interests, your strengths, as well as how to handle customers and coworkers. I would also say do not shy away from getting a job you think you will enjoy just because you are young and inexperienced. Apply for something fun, either you will have the most incredible summer and have made money, or you will learn and try something new next summer.”

Madelyn J. Georgia College and State University

Working a summer job as a teen is a valuable experience and a great way to earn money for college expenses. On top of building up your savings, you’ll gain important skills and real work experience that could be useful for a future career. Even if some of your friends aren’t working, try to stay focused on your own goals. When fall semester rolls around, you will be glad you spend the summer setting yourself up for success.