Build skills that serve
Odd jobs
Raking, watering, carrying groceries and more: how to find small jobs, do them well, and keep a ledger.
Somebody's leaves are piling up. Somebody's going to the beach and their tomatoes will be thirsty. Somebody's steps are icy on the one snowy morning of the year.
That's a job. Maybe it's yours.
What do you notice when you do one?
Try an odd job, then ask yourself:
- Asking: How did it feel to knock? Was the second time easier?
- Time: You said 9:00. What time did you get there?
- The job: Would you pay for the job you just did?
- Hearing "no": Someone said "No, thanks." What did you say back? What did you do next?
- Trust: Did they ask you back? What do you think made them decide?
- Money: You got paid. How much did you spend, and how much did you save? Write it in your ledger (below).
Jobs by season in Lincoln County
| Season | Jobs to offer |
|---|---|
| Spring | Pulling weeds · spreading mulch · washing cars · helping at a yard sale |
| Summer | Mowing · watering plants and gardens while neighbors travel · walking dogs · picking up mail and packages for travelers |
| Fall | Raking leaves · bagging leaves · carrying firewood · stacking pumpkins and mums for a porch |
| Winter | Shoveling snow or salting steps on the rare snow day · carrying in groceries · taking trash cans to the curb |
| Any time | Carrying groceries · sweeping porches · walking dogs · helping with a yard sale |
Tools: rakes, brooms, buckets and hand trowels are yours to use. Mowers, trimmers, blowers and anything with a motor or a blade: only with your grown-up's permission and after someone has shown you how.
How to knock on a door
Say it like this (practice first!):
"Hi, I'm ___. I live over on ___ Street. I noticed your leaves are piling up. Could I rake them for you on Saturday morning? I usually charge $___, or whatever you think is fair."
Then, whatever they say:
"Thank you! Have a good day."
Role-play it. One person is the neighbor, one is the kid. Play it three ways:
- The neighbor says yes.
- The neighbor says, "Not today, thanks."
- The neighbor asks, "How much?" and "When can you start?"
Then switch. What changed the third time you tried it?
With a grown-up (keep it simple)
- A parent knows where you are and when you'll be back.
- Start with neighbors your family knows.
- Go in daylight.
- Work outside. You don't need to go into anyone's house.
- Power tools only with permission and training.
- Bring a friend or a sibling if you like. Jobs go faster with two.
Do it like it's yours
Pretend it's your own yard. Then notice:
- Did you get the corners, or just the middle?
- Did you finish what you said you'd do?
- Are the tools back where you found them?
- Is the sidewalk swept?
- Before you go, try asking: "Is there anything I missed?"
What do you notice about the look on someone's face when you ask that?
My job ledger
Storekeepers in the 1800s wrote every sale in a ledger, by hand, line by line. Here's yours. Use initials only for neighbors.
| Date | Neighbor (initials) | Job | Time spent | Paid | Saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals |
Print the job ledger (PDF, 1 page)
Serving without pay
Some jobs come with no money at all. Next time you're out, notice: Is there a neighbor who could use a hand and wouldn't ask? Maybe you could carry their groceries, pull their trash can back up the driveway, or rake their leaves and leave a note: "No charge. From a neighbor."
What did that feel like compared with a paid job?
A note for grown-ups on the rules
This is not legal advice. The U.S. Department of Labor's child labor fact sheet says, in its section on children under 14: "Children may also perform work not covered by the FLSA such as completing minor chores around private homes or casual baby-sitting." It also says: "Both Federal and State laws govern the employment of young workers and when both are applicable, the law with the stricter standard must be obeyed." (DOL Fact Sheet #43, checked Oct. 25, 2026.) For Tennessee rules, see the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development's child labor page.
Stickers (honor system)
- First Odd Job. Knock, make a deal, do the job, ask "Is there anything I missed?", and write it in your ledger.
- Snow Day Helper. Shovel, salt, or carry in groceries for a neighbor on a snowy or icy day (with your grown-up's OK).
- Served for Free. Do a job for a neighbor and don't take pay.
Sticker art for these is still to come. The first three stickers are ready to print.