That's a tough one. While you are in elementary school or junior high, there are several ways to earn money. I've talked about them in some of the other questions - like doing chores at home, washing Dad's car, etc. If you do things like that at home for your parents or an older brother or sister, they will usually offer a certain amount of money for the job. You do it and you get paid! You can ask for more, but usually they will stick with their offer. But, make no mistake: you are working for them and they call the shots.

When you get a little older, you can start doing things for other people, like your neighbors. Do things like mowing their lawn, watering plants, caring for their dog while they are on vacation, etc. Now you are in business for yourself (you have no boss). So you decide how much you think they will pay and tell the neighbor. If they accept that number, you do the work and they pay you when they return. You keep all the money, minus your expenses (like, you might have to buy gas for the mower, but you keep the rest). Normally you don't have to share with Dad or Mom. That's working for yourself as an entrepreneur and not for someone else.

Most people are "employees" of or work for a company. They do a certain job and get a certain amount of money. They have someone who checks their work and makes sure they have enough to do. Many people believe that if you work for yourself and set your own schedule and prices, you make more money. For many people, it does work that way.

Did You Know?

Running your own business will help you decide whether or not to start your own business when you're an adult. In fact, new businesses provide 60 to 80 percent of the new jobs every year.