February 27, 2021 I NEED TO MAKE SOME MONEY! Dear Brandon,I really need your advice. My BFF’s birthday is coming up next month and I REALLY want to surprise her with something she’s been wanting forever—a deluxe recording studio kit that will allow her to play and record her own songs. She’s an AWESOME singer and songwriter, and her dream is to win a Grammy award one day. The problem is that the equipment costs $400!!! I don’t want to get her a cheap version—she’s been talking about this specific kit for years. How can I possibly earn $400 in just 6 weeks, so she can start to launch her music career???From,Dollarless Dork Hey Dollarless Dork, First, I want to say it’s so awesome that you’re supportive of your BFF’s goals and dreams! Second, I feel you on the money problems. I’d love to get my crush a really cool expensive gift, but it’s just not in the cards. I mean, I’m still in middle school, and even if people would hire me at a part-time job at my age, my grandparents wouldn’t let me work. They say I should concentrate on my grades, my photography, my band, and helping out with Fuzzy Friends. But hey…wait a minute. Now that I think about it, maybe I could use my personal skills to earn money after all! I could offer to take photos of people with their pets. Or set up my drum set in the garage and offer lessons to little kids (at a distance, of course, until this pandemic gets under control). Do you have any personal hobbies that you could use to score some cash? Think about it. In the meantime, here are a few other ideas: Ask your parents about taking on more responsibility in exchange for payment. NOTE: this has gotta be more than regular things they expect you to do (aka, don’t expect $10 a day for making your bed or taking out the trash). You could do all the household laundry, do a SUPER GOOD job of cleaning the bathrooms (yup, toilet and all), or basically anything your parents usually do. You could wash the outside and clean the inside of their car. (You could also offer up a foot massage at $5 per 20 minutes, but depending on your parent’s foot odor, that might be too stinky of an option. ☺)Are there any dogs in your neighborhood? If so, offer a 30 minute walk for $5. If you walked 3 dogs twice a day, that would be $150 bucks a week (and that’s not even including weekends). You’d have enough money within 3 weeks! (Just don’t forget to take poop bags).Are you crafty? My friend Nikki came up with this idea: ask your parents to make a small investment, so you can buy some bracelet supplies. You could use beads or string, and customize them to however people at your school want them. You could even get those letter beads to spell out their favorite sports team or inspiring phrase. Create an order form with options and people can get their own, one-of-a-kind bracelet. You can take pictures of samples with a phone and email all your relatives to see if they’ll order some, too. (Don’t forget to pay your parents back).Find an alternative gift. I know, I know, this option is NO fun. But here’s the thing: your BFF will love whatever you get her for her birthday. It’s amazing of you to want to buy her dream present, but I’m 100% certain that she doesn’t expect you to do that. Ready for some serious cheesiness? The biggest gift of all is your friendship. Yep, I said it. But really, even as you try to earn the money, it might not hurt to come up with a few other ideas too. Here’s one: get her a few awesome How-To books or biographies of her FAV music artists, so she can study up on how serious musicians started their careers! How about all of you readers? Have you ever needed to make some cash fast, or wanted to buy a gift that you couldn’t afford? What did you do about it? Tell us all about it in the comments.
Dork queen says February 27, 2021 at 12:16 pm I get $7 dollars a week I have an Idea you can help out by emptying the dishwasher that’s what I do it might take a little bit of time but you can put your favorite music on. Or you can dust the house.
iPhone wanter says February 28, 2021 at 1:34 am I do both of those things! I also sweep the kitchen 3 times a week and fold all the socks and clothing. I get around seven dollars, but where I live $150 is alot of money! I want to buy an iPhone so I’m saving up. I think that I can have it by August if my parents pay half. But I still need money, does anyone have any other ideas
MackenzieHollister (cosplay) says February 27, 2021 at 12:11 pm Aww, Brandon! You really don’t have to get me an expensive gift! (although maybe a bracelet would be nice)
Anonymous says February 27, 2021 at 9:42 pm Sure, but different places in the world have different weather.
Dorky Beatles Fanatic says February 27, 2021 at 11:31 am I like your thinking, but… please find a different gift. $400 is way too expensive.
Anonymous says February 27, 2021 at 9:43 pm Yeah, but she is a really generous friend. Very supportive. I believe in her. She can do it! Go get that money Dollarless dork!
Lefty Dork says February 28, 2021 at 1:36 am I agree! It’s VERY thoughtful, but I think her parents should buy her that. Also, if she’s been asking for one for years, her parents probably got it for her for her birthday.
Bunny berry says March 1, 2021 at 12:55 pm 400$ dollars is not so so so much I know dollarless dork can do it! also 4000$ is expensive:(
✯Dazzling Dork✯ says February 27, 2021 at 11:10 am I get an allowance from my parents, $10 a week! (If I actually bother to do my chores)
... says February 27, 2021 at 6:05 pm I don’t get an allowance and earn zero 24/7! U people are lucky to get an allowance. Wait… what’s an allowance?!
Lefty Dork says February 28, 2021 at 1:38 am You actually get an allowance for cleaning your room, chocolate cake?!! You’re SO lucky!! When I clean my room, all I get is a “Finally! Good job!” lol
Big Dorky dorky says March 1, 2021 at 11:30 am I don’t get any allowance at all, even if I do lots of chores
DORKI BOI 13 says February 27, 2021 at 11:01 am Hi but my sis Dorky Girl 13 bought me a present for christmas she has 300 bucks saved in the bank and i have like 73 LOL I LOVE your book RRR IMA BIG FAN and my sis got me a baby yoda watch BTW
Xbreelee says February 27, 2021 at 10:55 am Wow, I have an idea for you… do you play an instrument? If you do you could go outside and play for the people on you block. Just be sure to get permission first though.
LL says February 27, 2021 at 10:47 am You have such a big heart Dollarless Dork! Follow Brandon’s advicet o let your buddy live his/her dream!
@therealnikkimaxwell says February 27, 2021 at 10:44 am LOL! The next generation! Great advice, Brandon! Good problem 2 have!
Fan girl says February 27, 2021 at 10:38 am Wow!! I think it’s nice that someone is going through what I am too. I’m also trying to raise money to buy a gift for my mum. But in my country, pets aren’t that common and kids can’t just babysit some random kid. so raising money is pretty hard.
Dorky Girl says February 27, 2021 at 10:17 am Hey Brandon !!! I am pretty sure your crush is Nikki !!! I mean Mackenzie is so cruel. Thanks, Dorky Girl Ps : Great Advice !!!
Dorky Girl says February 27, 2021 at 10:16 am Brandon, You have so good advice !!! I will try this because everybody has a dog in my community. Thanks !!!
DorkyReader says February 27, 2021 at 10:05 am I want to start some kind of scouts, but not for money. TOTALLY strike for those goals!!!! Mabye ask your parents if you can sell stuff on Etsy? (They can help you). Good Luck! I hope you get that gift for your BFF! She sounds VERY deserving!
german dork says February 27, 2021 at 10:02 am Dear Dollarless Dork, You sound like a very nice person because you really care about your BFF! But don’t get upset if you can’t get your money! Your BFF is probably happy that you would think of something so kind and she will probably be thankful for any gift!
Adventure Girl says February 27, 2021 at 9:59 am I’m in a play with my best friend and her birthday is one 2 of the performances. We’re both double casted which means she won’t be able to celebrate her birthday. So I’m throwing her a party at the actual theatre!!!
#Dork#Covid-19GONE! says February 27, 2021 at 9:57 am Hi! It’s so awesome that you want help your Bff with her music career! Try following Brandon’s idea! I am pretty sure it will work, but if it doesn’t find her gift that will help her anyway! There are many options on how to start a music career, maybe get her something that could be related to that! I hope you raise enough money for the gift you want to buy, but if you don’t I hope you find maybe something better 🙂 . Dorky
HappyDorkDiaries says February 27, 2021 at 9:39 am That’s so sweet of you but don’t get upset if you can’t get your money! Your BFF is probably happy that you would think of something so kind and she will probably be thankful for any gift!
Dorky Big Sis says February 27, 2021 at 9:38 am Dear Dollarless Dork, You sound like a very nice person because you really care about your BFF!
ChloeClone7 says February 27, 2021 at 9:21 am It’s SOO nice to do that for your BFF! She is lucky to have you as one!
Anonymous says February 27, 2021 at 9:19 am OMG that’s so sweet of you! But don’t overwork ur self up! 🙂