Babysitting is an excellent business to get into when it comes to making money after school. You can create your own hours by accepting only the jobs you want to take on, and you can control your income by creating your own fee schedule.

But even with a few babysitting gigs under your belt, if you're like most teens you are probably wondering how you can increase your after school earnings. Here are a few effective options to consider:

Get Some Training

One of the best ways to increase your babysitting income is to get some first aid and CPR training. Most parents are more than happy to pay their babysitters more if lifesaving skills are part of the package. You'll find that many local agencies in your area offer these classes for a nominal fee. Upon completing your training you'll be presented with a certificate that proves you are prepared to handle emergencies that may arise and therefore increase your trustworthiness with parents.

Offer Extra Services

Offering extra services to your babysitting customers is another great way to increase your income. If you happen to pass by the post office every day on the way to or from school, why not offer to drop off or pick up deliveries for a small fee? Other extra services you can make additional income from include:

• Dropping recycling off at proper disposing locations.
• Tutoring kids in math or reading.
• Teaching kids skills like riding a bike or brushing their teeth.

Any service you feel comfortable providing that makes a busy parent's life easier is probably something you'll have success getting paid for. Once you've made a list of services and prices you want to offer, print up flyers and provide them to both current and potential clients. You may have luck hanging them on community bulletin boards found at local grade schools in your area.

Do Light Housekeeping

Offering complete housekeeping services to customers may bog down your afternoons and leave you with very little free time. But offering light housekeeping services to parents who can use a little extra help now and then will help to pad your pockets some. Consider offering services such as:

• Washing dishes.
• Vacuuming.
• Dusting.
• Watering plants.
• Making beds.

It's a good idea to charge a base rate for each service you offer to ensure that you don't end up doing more work than you get paid for when all is said and done. For example if a parent wants you to wash the dishes and vacuum after dinner time, you can charge an additional five dollars for each service on top of your regular babysitting fee so there is no misunderstanding.

Combine Clientele Workloads

If you are able to babysit kids in the comfort of your own home, it may be possible to combined clientele workloads by watching multiple parents' children together. It's important not to take on more than two or three kids to ensure their safety while under your care. But imagine the income you can make in one afternoon when you're able to charge two or three clients for your services at the same time!

Start and Manage a Babysitting Group

If your friends are interested in making some money as babysitters, consider starting and managing a babysitting group. Have clients call you to schedule services and then hook up your friends with those job leads in exchange for a small percentage of the income they'll make. This will give you an opportunity to make a little extra money without having to do the actual babysitting work yourself.

If you stay committed to running your babysitting business, you shouldn't have a problem coming up with the money you need to stay in fashion throughout the year and to pay for all those concerts that you're dying to attend!