How can I help out my parents with money problems?

I am only 14 years old and my parents are 26 thousand dollars in debt. I wish I could help them out with money, but I don't know how. What can I do?How can I help out my parents with money problems?
To be honest with you, $26k is not a lot of money. The average household family has more than $50,000 in debt which usually includes credit cards, cars and medical bills. Although you may have heard them talking about their financial status $26k is not that bad at all.





Since at the age of 14, you will not be able to find a legal job that would pay enough to make a dent in this amount. You should focus on finding a few small household bills that you could pay for with a lawn mowing job. You can tell your neighbors you are starting a small business mowing lawns and washing cars. Then take an appointment book and go up and down your street asking if they would like to make an appointment with you for services. Depending on how large the lawn - you can make $25 per lawn and probably $10 per car wash.





There are somethings you can do to help reduce the amount of expenses your parents are paying each month. Look at what you and the family can do without... for example cable TV costs anywhere from $50 - $120 per month. Cell phones can cost a family of 3 up to $200 a month. Don't forget monthly subscription to Xbox Live and things like that. All of these items add up to monthly cash outflow that your parents are paying that COULD go towards that $25,000 debt. You can help by sacrificing some of these things for a year.





Also, if your family goes out to eat more than 4x's a month, you should recommend eating at home more often. A family who eats at home can save up to $600 a month in groceries. This means encouraging parents to stop wasting $4 for a cup of Starbucks Coffee. Encourage the family to buy food in bulk at Costco or Sams Club and buy basic groceries at Walmart and the farmer's market.





Parents in debt usually feel bad because they feel like they need money in order to ';provide'; for their kids. You can do a lot to be a ';grown up'; about this and let them know about the sacrifices you're willing to make to help out.How can I help out my parents with money problems?
It is admirable that you want to help out. You may not be able to do a whole lot monetarily at age 14 but, you can help out on the advice and planning side. I would suggest going to the bookstore and picking up a copy of a book called the Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. This book has helped my wife and I out tremendously. It is a debt reduction plan that has budgeting forms in the back of the book. It will help with investing, emergency funds, college expenses, organizing and paying off debt. It is just good old advice and planning lessons that your grandparents would teach you that most of us have forgotten.You should read it first so you can have an idea what you are talking about when you present it to your parents. It will also set you up for a lifetime of good personal financial principles. If you start when you are 14, when you retire about 50 years from now, (I know that seems like a long time from your perspective) You will be a multi millionaire. After you read the book, Then both your parents must read the book. You must all be on the same page and have the same game plan of debt elimination. If one person saves every penny and the other spends every dollar it will not work. You must all pull in the same direction. Everyone will have to give up some things. Everyone will get a change in attitude towards debt and spending habits. You will stop buying useless things. It is amazing how big a change in attitude towards debt and spending we have had.


I think it is really wonderful that you would like to help your family. In lieu of any money you can contribute, you can contribute with a good solid game plan. Nothing great was ever built without a plan. I hope this works for your family as well as it has for mine. I think it shows maturity beyond your age that you are thinking about this stuff and want to help change your family for the better.


Good Luck. I wish you all the best in your endeavor.
Culver's minimum hiring age is 14 with a workers permit.





I called many stores because I am 14 looking for a job. This was the response they gave which makes me happy after looking for so long.





Find a local one go online and apply and go in store to apply or call and ask if they are hiring.








What I did was Google a bunch of business near my home and found their numbers using Google maps or their sites and I called and directly asked if they are hiring and what age do they hire at.





Try local grocery stores, pizza parlors, retail stores, fast food restaurants.
It's very admirable for a 14 year old to want to help out his financially challenged parents. That's something you shouldn't have to worry about at your age. I suggest a paper route, baby sitting, offering to do chores for your neighbors, etc. Good luck, I hope things turn better.
don't fall for those work at home online things, they are all scams!


parents need to get a budget and a plan to get themselves out of debt. they should go to credit counseling center in their area to get some free help. try to take some odd jobs to earn some cash, but in the long run your parents are the ones to take care of you.
You can't. Your parents are the adults, they got themselves into this mess. They need to work themselves out of it. That is the only way they will learn a lesson and stop buying what they cannot afford.
You can help them by letting them know that you love them....