We all need and want money. Without it, how are we expected to stay entertained?

Everything costs money. Whether it's a movie ticket or just cruising around—gas is expensive! Most students in my school hold part-time jobs to cover their expenses and entertainment.

Based on my experiences, I have some advice to offer about:

• Finding a job
• Saving money
• Not running out of it

Fast-food restaurants hire students.

Find a job

The first step to earning, saving and spending money is finding a part-time job. They're usually easy to find.

Unless you live in a rural area, most restaurants, grocery stores, department stores and small shops will hire young people.

If you're really serious about making money, it's not a bad idea to start job searching at ages 13 or 14. My first job was at Dairy Queen when I was 14.

To work there I needed a work permit, officially known as an Employment/Age Certificate. Most states require work permits if you want to work and you are under age 18, but federal law does not require this.

Does your state require a work permit?

Requirements are different from state to state.

To get the permit in Wisconsin I needed ten bucks, a letter from my employer and a parent, a birth certificate and my Social Security card.

I took these things to my school and had a work permit by the end of the day.

Not just any job!

I decided to get my first job at Dairy Queen for a few reasons. Consider these when you look for your own job.

Did I mention that I like ice cream?

• Driving to work was not an option since I was only 14. I needed a job within walking or biking distance. DQ was less than a mile away.
• I talked to past employees to get the inside story of what working at DQ was like.
• I asked about scheduling flexibility, how challenging the job was, and the pay rate. These questions helped tremendously when job-searching.

At DQ I could take as much time off as I needed. I just wrote a note several days in advance.

I think a young person should consider flexibility their number-one priority.

I had a tough time holding on to my money every payday, which leads to my next point...

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