DEAR ABBY: I want a new bicycle, but my mother says I will have to earn it. I am too young to get a job. Can you tell me how to get some money for a new bike? -- YOUNG READER IN NORFOLK, VA.
DEAR YOUNG READER: You may be too young for a grown-up job, but you are not too young to earn money by doing chores and odd jobs for neighbors.
Talk to your mother about taking on some of the chores at home. For example, ask her if she will pay you for sweeping the driveway or the kitchen, or taking the trash out every day. You could also ask your neighbors to hire you for such things as raking leaves, walking their dog, sweeping their sidewalks or pulling weeds. There are always small jobs for which people would be happy to pay you.