Eva Baker was sixteen years old when started TeensGotCents as a high school project. It was supposed to last for two years, but years later TeensGotCents is now her full-time job and passion in life. Read on to see how teens can make money blogging.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your blogging journey.
My mom requires each of us to do a project for high school. Something that will help us develop real-life skills and make a difference in the world. I decided to do a website, but I wasn’t sure of my topic. After listening to “The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey with my mom in the car every afternoon, I started doing some research. I found so many great resources for adults to get themselves out of debt, but nothing for teens (by a teen) that would help them not make those mistakes in the first place. I started TeensGotCents in January of 2013.
How are you currently growing your blog?
Most of my growth is through other personal finance bloggers telling their readers about me or through the interviews I do on local television every couple of months. I have all the normal social media stuff but don’t have an advertising budget at this point, so the growth I have seen has been slow but steady and almost all organic.
What’s your number one source of blog traffic?
Google and Facebook are right up there.
How are you monetizing your blog?
I have a corporate sponsor, 121 Financial Credit Union, and I occasionally do sponsored posts IF the topic is something I would write about on my own anyway. I also teach personal finance classes to teens in my local community.
What’s been the high point in your blogging career so far?
Attending FinCon every fall. It’s the annual conference for personal finance bloggers, and it is an amazing event. I love going and meeting other people who do what I do! Even though I am so much younger, they have welcomed me and made me feel a part of the group. In 2014, I was given a Plutus award for “Best Personal Finance Blog for Teens/College Students/Young Adults.” A high point for sure!
What advice do you have for other teens who want to start their own blog?
Make yourself an editorial calendar. This is just a fancy way of scheduling your blog posts in advance. So many people who start a blog give up because they don’t know what to write or they forget or … whatever. Have an editorial calendar and make blogging a scheduled part of your day, these two things will go a long way to making your blog a success.
How do you balance school, homework, and blogging?
I use a time management technique called The Pomodoro Technique that really helps me focus on whatever task is in front of me. I get my work done first – before I binge on Netflix … :)
Where do you see yourself in the next few years? Do you think blogging will always be part of your life?
I used to think that my blog would just be a part of my life for high school, but it will definitely go beyond my high school years. I truly have a passion for personal finance and learning all I can about how to be financially secure in my future. So many adults think that teens don’t care about money or their future, but this just isn’t true. I hope that TeensGotCents will be around for many years and be a practical help to teens who are looking to get a great part-time job, save money, or go to college debt-free.
Thanks to Eva Baker for sharing her story!
If you’re interested in starting a blog, we have an easy step-by-step tutorial right here. Be sure to grab our free 28-page blogging e-book too! It will teach you how to write great content, get traffic, and make money from your blog.
The main purpose of this content is to empower teenagers and even adults with the right ideas and strategy of earning money in these hard times. Teenagers are too demanding these days, but in the absence of funds from their parents, some tend to go the extra mile to get what they want. The post is solely for teenager/ adults alike who are ready to go that extra mile to making little funds which consistently will evolve into a huge sum.
To start your own business as a teenager, make sure you explore your options beforehand in order to find the one that suits you best. The following below are methods you can follow to start earning a little cash or should I say; Pocket Money. Note that these jobs won’t be that stressful per say but it requires more hard work and consistency, that is for the committed.
I am a teen and i need to start saving money but idk how i can get money I’m only 14
Hi Paige, I have a post that’s being published soon on how teens can make money. I’ll drop the link here once it’s live. Stay tuned.
Hello Eva… I am a 15 years old teen and I was thinking of making some money by blogging. But I don’t know anything about it. And I really wanna make my blog. Will you please help me? Like guiding me cause I’m new to it.
Hi Amina, This post will tell you how to setup a blog in a few simple steps: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/setup-blog/
This article covers a lot of blogging basics: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/blogging/
Let me know if you have any other questions – happy to help =)
Can you tell us about how much you pay to blog? Would you recommend paying monthly? What did you use to start your blog? How long does it take you to complete a single blog?
Hi Cameron, You can get started for as little as $3.95 a month with BlueHost. Here’s step-by-step instructions on how to get started — it’s super easy and affordable. https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/setup-blog/
Thanks so much Cori! I love hitting the mall as well, until I see the prices! :) Congrats to your daughter for making the changes needed now that she has college ahead of her. Using the envelope system might be a great way for her to put away the money she needs for expenses first then see what she has left for the shopping spree at the mall.
Hi Eva,
Wow, you are definitely an inspiration for teens and adults :) I think it’s great you are sharing financial advise for teens. You’re right, there isn’t much on the subject out there.
My daughter will be going to college in the fall and we’ve been talking about finances. She used to love hitting the mall after payday but now that she has upcoming expenses, she’s becoming more aware of her needs versus wants.
I’ll be sharing your blog with her. I’m sure she’ll find it very helpful and relatable.
Good luck to you and it was a pleasure meeting you!
Have a great week ladies.
Cori
Glad you enjoyed Eva’s story! My daughter is still in elementary school, but I think blogging can teach teens so many valuable skills. Good luck to your daughter!