Jobs for children

Sarahandmelissa

Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post, but here goes...
My daughter, currently 12, wants to earn some extra money (we can't afford pocket money atm, but pay for everything she needs).
She's an aspiring artist, with a current aim of becoming a tattoo artist after finishing school! Now, I've just seen of a company that sell tshirts, mugs etc with people's designs. I'm wondering if this is a possible route for her.

What I really want to know is
1. Would she need to do a self assessment if doing this as a business venture (although my understanding is she can't officially work until 13)?
2. Would her earnings affect our benefits (we receive child tax credit currently)?

I worked from a young age and loved earning my own money, I want to support her as best I can.

marcarm

I can't answer this, just wanted to say it's so nice to read of a young person wanting to do this, seems she has her head screwed on and I wish her luck

Exodi

Have you contacted the company in question and enquired about their operation process?

With respect, up to adulthood, I'd consider employment a completely informal ordeal and operate on a quid pro quo cash in hand basis. This also avoids any conflict with your finances.

I would personally go down the route of knocking on neighbours doors and seeing if they wanted their car washed for a fiver or something? I can see there being a warm reception to this!

On a side note, the receipt of child tax credit directly references the payment of pocket money. I appreciate you can't afford it at the moment but I'd look to shave £10+ off your monthly budget, it's reasonable.

Les79

According to your other post on here you are on maternity leave and 13k in debt...


I feel compelled to ask WHY in regards to having another child, but ultimately that's none of my business so don't feel obliged to answer.


That aside, I feel that Exodi makes a good point about reducing the monthly budget... Shaving off £10 a month is super easy for pretty much anyone. And there's your pocket money right there! But maybe 12 year olds these days have different ideas about what "pocket money" means? Even so, wait until you get back into work and off benefits so you can pump more money into "pocket money". Hell, you could even get the 12 year old doing house chores in your absence for the money. WIN WIN.


If you want to look beyond that, I would actually recommend that you set anything she does up (the T-shirts idea sounds good; but is she good enough? It is uncommon for a 12 year old to be good enough to land a job that 22 year old uni graduates are starting) in your name. I doubt you'd meet any tax threshold, and you'd probably be best keeping it off the books because of that.

dawyldthing

You could see if there’s any babysitting needed nearby, ask on spotted pages if someone needs a babysitter or ask amongst friends. You might be able to set up an Etsy account (but then there’s the marketing etc) for selling the shirts and stuff and possibly need marketing too though for folk to find it/ a Facebook page.

Other thing is possibly odd chores for the neighbours during the holidays like odd weeding, car washing etc. I think you just have to think outside the box but also think of things that she isn’t going to break etc