In the second part of the series, we introduce more ways to earn a little pocket money. Keep in mind that none of these options is an easy or guaranteed way to make money. If you are under 18, always talk to your parent or guardian first. The most important thing is to agree on clear rules and take care of your own safety.
Try street performing
You can play music, sing or perform in a public place and put a hat or another container somewhere visible for tips. A classic trick is to put a coin or two in the container before you start. You can also ask for tips through MobilePay, as long as the number is clearly shown, for example on a sign. Remember to check MobilePay’s current age limits.
The performance does not have to be music. You could try reciting poems, for example. A poem can also be performed personally to one passer-by at a time. Many adults may be happy to pay, say, twenty cents for a small cultural experience. Make a clear sign and practise enough before you start. Reciting the poem from memory makes an especially good impression.
At Kuopio Market Square, street musicians can use the area by the Siskotyttö statue. It is a good idea to let the market supervisor know in advance at [email protected], so performances do not overlap. Do not block walkways, and keep the volume reasonable.
Pros
- You get to use your own skills and gain performance experience at the same time.
- You can be creative, and performing with a friend may turn out to be the best part of the whole thing.
Cons
- Earnings depend on the goodwill of passers-by.
- Performing can be surprisingly tiring, so start modestly. Bring a water bottle and remember to take breaks.
- In practice, this is only worthwhile on sunny days and in places where enough people are passing by.
- Performing may lead to unwanted approaches, so it is good to think about this in advance. Remember that no one has to put up with bad behaviour, and ask an adult for help if needed.
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Pick and sell berries or mushrooms
Picking berries and mushrooms is probably the most profitable option on this list, but it usually requires the most planning. Bilberries will soon be ripe, and the first mushrooms are beginning to appear, so there are opportunities to earn money well into the autumn. You will need some equipment, such as a berry picker, buckets and sturdy footwear that protects against snakes, as well as a way to get to the forest. In Kuopio, this can be done not only by car, but also by bicycle or local bus.
You also need to find a buyer for what you pick. Many companies in the sector buy berries and mushrooms directly from pickers, but the best earnings usually come from selling directly to private buyers, for example through an online flea market app. Sales can be agreed in advance. With berries, it is also worth agreeing whether they will be sold cleaned or uncleaned, as cleaning them takes extra work.
Under Finland’s everyman’s rights, berries and mushrooms may generally be picked freely. However, stricter rules apply in some places, such as nature reserves. It is important to pick only from “clean” areas, not close to major roads, for example. The seller is responsible for the condition of the products.
You have to be especially careful when identifying mushrooms, because some mushrooms are poisonous. For many beginners, chanterelles are among the easiest edible mushrooms to recognise, and there are usually buyers for them.
This year, fewer foreign pickers than usual are expected to come to Finland because of problems in the berry sector, which is likely to make it easier to sell what you pick. Income from berries and mushrooms is tax-free if the product is picked by the seller and sold as it is. Drying mushrooms, for example, counts as processing, so it is no longer covered by the tax exemption.
Pros
- A diligent picker can earn a good amount. For example, a bucket of cleaned bilberries is typically sold for 35–50 euros.
- You get a nature experience at the same time.
Cons
- It can be physically demanding, especially if you are not used to picking.
- You need a buyer, access to the forest and some equipment.
- Good spots can be hard to find without tips from experienced pickers – and naturally, they usually do not want to reveal their own regular places.
- Harvests vary from year to year. Drought affects mushroom crops in particular. Based on observations, the Kuopio area seems to be producing at least an average amount of berries and mushrooms this year.
What you need
- Footwear suitable for the forest and clothes that protect against mosquitoes and other insects. Remember to check for ticks afterwards!
- Buckets and, if needed, a berry picker. A small piece of foam can be useful for protecting your knees.
- Snacks and enough to drink.
- A mobile phone with the 112 Suomi app installed is a good idea in case you get lost or have an accident.
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Other possible ways to earn pocket money include helping neighbours for a small payment or selling items at a flea market. Online, you may sometimes come across tempting promises of easy money, but it is wise to treat them with caution and talk to an adult first.