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Parents! How To Protect Your Kids From Online Scams

Unfortunately, even the internet is not an entirely safe place for your child to be. Many sites will claim to offer vast amounts of money, but in reality will con you out of your hard-earned cash. However, there are some simple measures that can protect you and your kids from online frauds.

Types of Scam Programs

? MLM (Multi Level Marketing) otherwise known as pyramid schemes.
? Get Paid to… read emails, fill out surveys, click on advertising banners etc.
? Work From Home Scams
? Get Rich Quick Scams
? Craft Assembly
? Medical Billing (set-up your own medical billing service)
? Chain Letters or Emails

These are just a few of the numerous scams online, but don’t let that put you off. It is possible to earn a good living from online work. The trick is to avoid the fraudulent offers.

How to Recognize a Scam

There are certain characteristics of online ‘business opportunities’, which indicate whether or not they are genuine. The majority of online scams will offer you work, or a source of income, in return for a registration fee. This is the first indication that the offer is phony.

Scams will also offer fabulous deals that are in reality unrealistic. If a site is claiming that you can earn thousands of dollars per week, then it is best avoided.

In addition, many scam offers will state that is for “today only”. Scam artists often try to suck you in before you have had a chance to think about the offer and research alternatives.

How You and Your Kids Can Avoid Scams

The first rule with any online business offer is “If it looks too good to be true then it probably is”. Trust your instincts, if something does not seem quite right then steer clear. It is beneficial that your child is aware of the potential cons and how to recognize them. You may also wish to ask your children to ignore any offers until you have had a chance to look at them.

If you are not sure about a company, then do some research. You can garner information from organizations such as Better Business Bureau on the current and past activities of any business.

Particularly in the current economic climate, scammers are preying on people’s financial difficulties. Therefore, it is crucial that you keep your wits about you when finding ways to make money online. Most importantly, remember to never give out personal details such as social security number, bank account details and credit or debit card numbers.


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Business for Kids (Part 2) – A Guide for Children

So, you are a budding entrepreneur who has a great idea for a business and now you want to start the fun part, but you need to do a little preparation first. Although it may seem boring, creating a business plan will allow you to create realistic goals for your business, ensure that you have planned for any money or resources you may need to get things running and it will also greatly improve the chances that your business will succeed.

A business plan does not have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler it is the better, because it is designed to be a snapshot of your business and what it hopes to achieve. However, any good business plan should include some fundamental information such as:

  • Company summary: The name of your business. For older business, the company summary will also include the company’s history, so for a new business the summary only needs to be short.
  • A list of the services, or products, that you will provide
  • The sort of people you think will be your customers. In other words, if you are selling toys or comics, your customers will predominantly be kids of a similar age to yourself.
  • Business plans also have what is known as an executive summary, which essentially sells your business. Entrepreneurs often use this section to encourage investors and gain loans to launch their company. Basically, all you need for your executive summary is the goal of your company and your plans for it in the future (if you have any).
  • You may also wish to include a financial plan, which will detail your outgoings (for supplies or resources) and how much you will sell your product, or products, for. This will allow you to see how much you need to sell to make a profit.
  • Remember, your business plan does not need to be complicated and it can also change as your business and its goals differ. All companies change overtime, so it is a good idea to look back over plan occasionally and alter it when necessary.
  • If you still feel uneasy about writing your own business plan, you can find templates on the internet, which will provide you with an easy-to-use guide on how to complete the plan.

Good luck in your future business venture!


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Business for Kids (Part 1) – A Parents Guide

No matter how young your child is, he, or she, may display an interest in starting a business venture. Some parents may find this notion frightening, but it is perfectly possible for a child to start a small business and learn invaluable experience along the way.

If your child does display an interest or talent for business, it is crucial that this is nurtured and encouraged by the parents. Mom or Dad’s helping hand can make all the difference to how enriching this process is for your child.

Regardless of how small your child’s business venture is, he, or she, will need to construct a business plan first. This may seem unnecessary if your child is simply selling unwanted toys on Ebay. However, a business plan will not only provide structure and help secure the success of the business, but it will also be an excellent part of your child’s education in money matters.

As with so many things in life, the key to a successful business is preparation. A business plan will help your child to establish a budget for any expenditure, set goals for their business and, moreover, it will encourage your child to focus on what his, or her, business will do and how it is to be achieved.

Your child may be reluctant to complete this seemingly boring part of starting a business, but it is good for them to understand that this is a crucial part of a business. Not only will it be beneficial for the business itself, but it will also help your child to gain responsibility and maturity.

For parents, it is a good idea to do some research about business plans first. There is plenty of information available on the internet and even templates, which can be used to create your first business plan. Do not be discouraged if you do not know much about business yourself, it is easy to pick up the basics and this could be an excellent opportunity for you to learn too. As you research, it is a good idea to bear in mind how the information can be simplified for your child’s business.

Parents will need to reach a decision about how involved they will be throughout this first phase of their child’s business, in accordance with the maturity and capability of each individual child. If your kid is still young, you may need to take a more hands-on approach to the business plan. However, if your child is older and you feel confident in his, or her, abilities, then your input should for guidance only.


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Teaching Kids How to Budget

Teaching children the importance of budgeting is one of the most fundamental lessons of money management. Educating kids in how to budget, is not simply about learning how to save money, it is also about what to do with money. The important thing for kids to grasp is how to control the money they have, regardless of how much it is.

  • To help children understand how to budget, it is advisable to demonstrate how you manage your own finances. The age of the child should determine how you choose to go about this. It is good for children of all ages to observe how you conduct your weekly spend at the supermarket. For children of 10 or over, you may wish to give them their own money to spend. Start with only a small amount initially and see how they choose to spend it. Your education can then be dictated by your child’s approach to money.
  • You may like to teach your children to save a specific percentage of their weekly allowance. This does not necessarily have to be a substantial amount, as it will allow them to see the accumulative benefit of doing this. If your child is older, you may wish to encourage them to save more of his, or her, allowance for a desired purchase.
  • For younger kids it is best to handle their finances weekly to keep things basic. Teenagers should be educated in monthly budgeting, as this will better prepare them for the adult world.
  • As your kids become slightly older, you may wish to discuss the difference between fixed and variable expenses. In other words, the difference between the mortgage, or rent, and grocery shopping or leisure money. In addition, it is good for children to understand the importance of saving for events such as holidays, vacations, birthdays and anniversaries.
  • It can be extremely beneficial to encourage you son, or daughter, to keep a track of what they spend in a small notepad. Even for adults, it is
    incredibly easy to forget where your money has gone. Therefore, keeping a log of expenditure can be advantageous to your child as he, or she, grows older.
  • Most importantly, do not be afraid to talk to your kids about money, regardless of their age. Many parents make the mistake of thinking that their child is too young to understand, but children are never too young to be educated in the rudiments of money handling.

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Ways for Kids To Earn Money Online

Teenager with laptopUnderstandably, in today’s society, many parents are concerned about the safety of their child. Subsequently, moms and dads are often reluctant for their child to make money by running errands for neighbors, or setting up a
stall in the street.

The good news is that there are many ways for kids to earn money that do not even involve leaving the house. The internet has provided numerous ways to earn money for both adults and children. Here are just a few of the options available to your kids:

Ebay

Auction websites offer a wonderful way for your children to de-clutter their bedrooms and make some money at the same time. Many kids use Ebay to
sell unwanted clothes, books or toys.

Blog

If your children like to write, they can comment on the things that interest them in a daily blog. Kids can earn money through advertising revenue on their site. This is a particularly popular method of making money with teenagers who like to share their opinions. There are many websites that allow you to set up a free blog including www.squidoo.com, www.wordpress.com and www.blogger.com

Writing

Believe it or not, you do not have to be Charles Dickens or Jane Austen to earn money from freelance writing. If you can write to a reasonable
standard, it is possible to earn money while writing for other people. In fact, if your child can write at a 7th grade level, he, or she, may be able to earn money by writing reviews, articles and web content. Recommended websites for freelance writing include www.associatedcontent.com, www.helium.com and www.dailyarticle.com

Completing Online Surveys

There are many paid survey sites on the internet, which individuals of all
ages can become involved in. Companies pay various amounts simply for giving your opinion. This is a great way for kids to make money. However, it is important to ensure that you register with a reputable site in order to receive genuine surveys. Recommended sites include www.freeonlinesurveys.com and www.surveyclub.com

Selling Arts and Crafts Online

If your child is creative, then it may be possible to sell his, or her, creations online. Your son, or daughter, may wish to set up a unique website. Alternatively, kids can sell their wares on Ebay, or other auction sites such as www.zazzle.com, www.ebid.net and www.cqout.com


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Why Should Kids Earn Their Own Money?

It is always a good idea for children to appreciate the value of money. A fundamental part of their non-scholastic education is to learn that money has to be earned. It is also a wonderful part of a child’s development towards self-sufficiency and independence. Therefore, it is a great idea for them to earn their own money. Of course, this does not mean sending them out to clean chimneys, or other Victorian forms of child labor.

There are many ways for kids to earn money, which are perfectly safe. They can complete chores for friends or relatives, or they can make money without even leaving the house via Ebay, blogging, or website design. Even if you choose to make them work in your own home for their allowance, it will give them an education in money and an appreciation of hard work.

As a parent, it is vital that you do not leave your child’s financial education to others. If you want your children to have a responsible and healthy relationship with money then it is up to you to ensure that they do.

The key point for parents to remember is that children predominantly learn through mimicking. In other words, their perception of money handling will come from their parents. Subsequently, the first step in teaching children the value of money is to practice good spending habits yourself.

In the modern world, it is no longer necessary for children to support the family financially, which is undoubtedly a positive thing. However, the result is that today’s children are in danger of maintaining a detached relationship with money, which will prove problematic for them in later life. The notion of kids making money is no longer focused on financial gain, instead, it is about education and self-reliance.

Allowing your child to earn his, or her, own money is not simply about them having some extra cash. More importantly, it teaches them how to manage money. You can set up a savings account for them, which will allow them to obtain skills and knowledge that will be fundamental in their adulthood.

Despite learning key life skills, kids who earn their own money are also gaining crucial character building experiences. There are many ways for kids to earn money, which involve helping others. For example, they can help elderly relatives or neighbors. Alternatively, they may carry out chores and run errands for busy mothers. These things will help your child to mature and develop.


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Kids Can Make Money More Than Their Parents?

Things are a lot more expensive today … means kids have to earn more than their parents…

Every adults and  kids knows that things are a lot more expensive today than when the parents grew up. That means these children have to make more than their parents, – and that’s what this book will show them to do – the ways for kids to earn money and manage them wisely.

What is great about this book is how it emphasize about how earning money should be fun. Make More than Your Parents uncovers the reality that, the more fun kids make it, the better they will be at it.

The book is filled with cool activities, helpful hints, fun graphics and journaling pages. Make More than Parents provides a step-by-step process that outlines the most effective ways for kids to make their money work for them, to build a life of financial freedom.

Some of the chapters are: Getting Started; Earning Money; Spending Money; Saving Money; Investing Money; and Be Your Own Boss. Each chapter gives wonderful and encouraging vibes, not only about the ways for kids to earn money, but also about how to be an entrepreneur.

In addition, the book gives helpful resource sections outline job ideas, as well as agencies that can help with career advice and money management. A suggested reading list and glossary help make this book a fun, one-stop sourcebook for all money-management questions.

It is an excellent book for children, and an interesting reading for the parents. If you truly want to give your children or grand children a gift that teaches them the value of investing and honing their entrepreneur skills, then this is the book. Not only do your children receive a book, they also are introduced to an interactive website where they can share ideas with other children and create and track their investment portfolios.

Click here and discover how the book can turn your kids into a little entrepreneur with bright future.

Note: Some of this information come from Amazon.com and BetterWorldBooks.com

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10 Simple Ways For Kids To Earn Money

If your kids are looking for ways to earn money then here are ten tips that will be invaluable to them and you.

  • The best place for your kids to start is to ask people that you know whether they can do any odd jobs for them such as gardening, shopping, cleaning etc.
  • If your child loves animals then they could offer their services as a pet sitter, either while pet owners are on holiday or just out for the day.
  • Perhaps your child has pets of his, or her, own and would like to breed them. Breeding rodents such as mice, rats or gerbils is very easy and there is always a market for small pets. Of course, children will need their parents’ permission before pursuing this particular business venture.
  • A great way for kids to earn money is by baking. They can then have a bake sale outside the house. Alternatively, you may have busy friends, relatives or neighbors that need a helping hand in the kitchen.
  • There are many ways that kids can earn money on the internet. For example, they can complete surveys for reputable sites, or if your child is creative, they could design web or myspace pages.
  • Your child can also earn money through blogging. If your son, or daughter, has a penchant for writing, they can earn advertising revenue through a daily blog.
  • If your child has a flair for art, they may wish to make arts and crafts, which can then be sold either to people that you know or on websites such as Ebay.
  • Your child may be able to earn money by simply spending time with an elderly person. Many people need someone to ’babysit’ an elderly friend or relative. If your son or daughter is mature and responsible, this kind of job can be incredibly rewarding.
  • Do you live in a neighborhood with lots of swimming pools? If so, your child can easily earn money by cleaning pools. This is physically quite hard work, but at least it means they will sleep well.
  • If you your child is enterprising there are several ways for them to earn money, including selling candies. This is probably one of the most popular ways for kids to earn money. All they need to do is buy a bulk pack of candy and then sell them in small batches to friends at a profit. This is also a good education for kids making money. It demonstrates, albeit in a small way, how a business is run.

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