If you found this article you’re either 14 or 15 years old and looking for a job, or you’re the parent of one and want them out of the house earning their own spending money. In either case, you’re in the right spot. Not only did I find 24 places that hire employees younger than 16, but I also breakdown the type of work you can expect to find, what you can expect to get paid, and everything else you need to know before you apply for the job. Let’s get to it.

Do All States Allow for the Hiring of 14 or 15 Year Olds?

Most states allow 14 and 15 year olds to work but have stipulations on the number of hours they can work per day and per week.

HERE IS a really good list of stipulations from the U.S. Department of Labor broken down by state.

By Law, What is the Minimum Salary Allowed?

Employers can choose to pay employees under 20 years of age a “training wage” for the first 90 days of employment.

This wage must be at least $7.25 per hour during this 90-day period.

Fortunately, most employers opt to pay young employees at least the state’s minimum wage.

Do I Need a Work Permit?

Yes.

If you are currently aged 14 or 15 you can get a work permit from your high school counselor.

The only jobs that do NOT require one are newspaper delivery, yard work (at private homes) and babysitting.

Work permits verify your age and serve as verification that you attend school full-time.

What Type Of Work Can 14 and 15 Year Olds Find?

Pretty much everything that does NOT involve manufacturing, operating machinery, power tools, or operating a vehicle or truck.

As a general rule, you WILL be able to find work doing the following tasks:

– Cashier

– Modeling

– Office or Clerical Work

– Bagging Groceries

– Stocking Shelves

– Errand and Delivery

– Cleanup Work

– Grounds Maintenance

How Many Hours Can Young Teens Work?

As a general rule, 14 and 15 year old employees CANNOT work more than 3 hours on a school day.

Also, the maximum number of hours worked per week when school is in session is limited to 18 hours.

During summer months (or when school is not in session) this increases to 40 hours per week and 8 hours per day as maximums.

You also cannot work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. except during summer months.

OK, now let’s get to my list…

AMC Theaters

It says right on the AMC corporate page that they often hire those between 14-17 years old.

They then say to contact your local AMC to see if you live in a state that can hire someone under 18 years of age.

A&W

A&W regularly hires kids under 16.

I’ve also been told that many locations require you to be 16 but exceptions are often made. So it’s worth a look!

Baskin Robbins

The folks at Baskin Robbins will hire 14 or 15 if your state allows for it.

All BR locations are independently owned so your mileage may vary from one shop to the next.

If you’re friendly, work hard, and love scooping frozen cream you’ll be a great fit.

Ben & Jerry’s

Depending on the state you live in, many Ben & Jerry’s locations hire 15 year olds.

14 might be too young but it’s always worth a shot.

Bruster’s

Bruster’s Ice Cream shops has no problem hiring young adults under 16 when permissible by state law.

15 year old applicants appear to have more success getting hired than 14 year olds.

Burger King

15 year old teens can get hired in some states by Burger King, but they’ll need a work permit to do so.

It appears that 14 year old applicants have a chance as well, but they’ll not be allowed to do what BK deems as “hazardous” restaurant tasks.

I’m thinking they’ll be tasked to clean the dining room and help bag orders.

Chick-fil-A

Depending on the state you live in, the minimum age to apply for a job at Chick-fil-A is 14.

Plus, if you get hired, you’ll score a 50% employee discount on all of their yummy chow. Winning!

See Also: Here are ALL the Chick-fil-A Employee Benefits That Might Excite You

Culver’s

You won’t be able to work in the kitchen, but many Culver’s locations will hire 14 or 15 year old teens.

You might be cleaning and setting tables but you’ll quickly move up to server or kitchen work once you reach 16, 17, or 18.

Dairy Queen

Some Dairy Queen locations hire as young as 14.

Because DQ’s are independently owned, it often comes to management discretion but it’s definitely a place to check out.

Fareway

The grocery store Fareway says right on their website that they hire 14 year olds to work in the grocery department but you must be at least 18 to work in the meat department.

In case you’re curious they operate “120 stores in a six-state region in the heart of the Midwest, including Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota.”

Hy-Vee

The grocery store Hy-Vee has been known to hire workers as young as 15.

Inquire at your local store and see what the dealio is.

Kroger

If you have a work permit you can apply at Kroger when you are 15 in many states.

They actually have a list of job for teens on their website.

They also have a decent employee discount that scores you 10% off groceries.

McDonald’s

Mickey D’s has customer service gigs for 15 year old young adults and some states will even hire at 14.

The cool thing about starting early working at McDonald’s is you can quickly get promoted and be a shift leader in no-time.

Papa Murphy’s

Papa Murphy’s has been known to hire at 15 quite often.

Inquire within and you could be getting paid to flip pizzas in a few short days.

Publix

The Publix website states that they hire cashiers at 14 years of age.

It appears that most jobs at Publix (besides cashier) require you to be at least 16.

Rita’s Italian Ice

If your state allows it, Rita’s Ice has no problem hiring you if you’re 14 or 15.

Apply in-person or visit the individual store’s website and click on Join the Team at the bottom of the page.

Runza

The last time I was in Nebraska and stopped in and had a YUMMY runza.

If you’re under 16, and looking for work, many Runza locations will hire you. 

Safeway

I was somewhat surprised that Safeway, along with parent company Albertsons, regularly hire 14 and 15 year old kids.

They are most likely to hire you as a cashier or “shelf stocker”.

Six Flags

A job for a kid under 16 would be pretty dope at Six Flags.

Whether you’re making cotton candy or helping load and unload rides, it would be kinda fun, you gotta admit.

Starbucks

This one came as a surprise.

I had no idea you could be a barista at 15 at Starbucks.

Turns out some S’bucks will even hire at 14 if your state allows it and they have some great job perks including tuition reimbursement at Arizona State University online.

Taco Bell

If you’re 15, and have a work permit, you stand a chance of getting hired at Taco Bell.

You’d start working in the dining room and work up to customer service behind the counter.

I’m getting so hungry writing this article…would love 2 Burrito Supreme’s right now.

Wegman’s

According to the Wegman’s site their minimum hiring age is 15.

They recommend getting your application in as you near your fifteenth birthday, and get your work permit from your high school.

Winn-Dixie

Winn-Dixie has been known to hire 14 and 15 year workers.

If you have a Winn-Dixie in your town inquire within.

Ask the Reader: What places that hire at 14 or 15 years old did I miss? Let me know below and I’ll investigate.

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!

The ALDI return policy is certainly unique and goes a step beyond other lenient return policies. In this article I’ll breakdown exactly what I mean, and also discuss a bunch of insider ways to make the return policy at ALDI work for you. Let’s get to it.

How Many Return Days Does ALDI Allow?

Unlimited days.

ALDI will let you return almost any item for a full refund or replacement if you’re not happy with it.

They do NOT place a specific number of days on returns.

RETURN ITEMS AT NON-PEAK TIMES

If you’ve ever shopped at an ALDI location, you know that one of the ways they keep costs down is by having limited employees. Because of this, avoid making returns during busy store hours and it will be a MUCH smoother process. If possible, go early in the morning in the middle of the week.

So…What’s the “Twice as Nice Guarantee”?

Here is where their policy is REALLY unique and kinda amazing.

If you buy an ALDI-branded item, and you’re not happy with it for whatever reason, ALDI will do TWO things for you.

First, they’ll refund the money you spent on the item.

Second, they’ll also replace the item for you at no-cost.

Pretty dang awesome, especially since ALDI stocks many food items that you’ll be curious to try.

It’s a great risk-free way to give stuff a shot and possibly discover new favorites.

See Also: The 8 Items to Buy at ALDI and Hacks To Maximize Your Savings

PRO TIP: SPECIAL BUY ITEMS

Be aware that special buy items tend to drop in price quickly, especially towards the end of the season. For this reason be sure to KEEP YOUR RECEIPT otherwise you’ll probably be stuck with store credit for WAY less than what you paid for the item.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Yes, there are a few exceptions.

– Alcohol. This one depends on the state where you live. Some states allow you to return alcohol and some don’t.

If you want to return alcohol to ALDI you should call your local store and ask if it’s possible.

– Computers and Electronics. These have a 90-day return policy. You must have your receipt and be sure to include all manuals and accessories.

– Non-Food Items. You can still return non-food stuff but you won’t get a refund and a replacement, you’ll have to pick one or the other.

Do I Need My Receipt?

No.

But if you want a refund to your original form of payment, you’ll definitely need your receipt.

Without a receipt you’ll have to settle for an ALDI merchandise credit gift card. You’ll get a credit for the current selling price of the item.

See Also: Costco Return Policy: 12 “Must Knows” Before You Shop

PRO TIP: CONTACT CORPORATE IF SHORT ON TIME

If you have a “quality related” issue on a product from ALDI, but don’t have time to return it right away, contact their corporate office. I’ve been told by several ALDI regulars that corporate will give you a voucher for a refund and free replacement that you can take in when it’s convenient for you. I’ve also heard that for fresh produce you don’t even need to bring the item back with you.

Can I Return Food Items?

Yep, not a problem.

The ALDI return policy actually reminds me of the Trader Joe’s policy as they let you buy food, take it home, try it, and bring it back if you don’t like it for WHATEVER reason.

What About Stuff I “Taste Tested”?

Not a problem.

Try it to your heart’s content. Even pair stuff with various wines if you like…

Just be sure to bring back whatever you have left of the product when you make the return.

HATE FOOD WASTE?

I had an Aldi manager tell me that any food item that is returned, whether it has been opened or not, has to be thrown away. If you’re not a fan of food waste, and there is nothing wrong with the item, maybe you’ll want to give it to a friend or neighbor before returning it.

Can I Return Broken Items?

Yes.

You can even return items that you personally broke and is NOT the fault of ALDI.

But don’t abuse this lenient policy or it’s sure to go away.

Do “National Brands” Fall Under the Same Policy?

Sort of.

While you can return national brands that are not “ALDI-branded”, they do NOT qualify for the “Twice as Nice” guarantee.

This means you’ll get your money back, but you won’t get a free replacement as well.

See Also: 24 Simple Ways to Save Cash at ALDI

Does ALDI Monitor My Return History?

While their website makes no mention of this, you can rest assured that they monitor all returns, especially those that don’t have a receipt.

They may even ask you for a valid I.D. if you make a return sans receipt.

They’ll use this information to track your returns moving forward.

Ask the Reader: Is the return policy at ALDI as great as it seems? Have you ever had trouble returning an item? Let me know in the comments section below.

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Mike Mozart.

The REI return policy is the stuff of legend, especially pre-2013 when they had a lifetime guarantee on all the products they sold. But as with any return policy there are always caveats, pitfalls, and road bumps that you need to be aware before making a significant purchase. So before you buy that $900 tent or $4,000 kayak at REI, here’s everything you need to know about their current return policy, including a NEW “return crackdown” that has begun…without warning.

How Many Return Days Does REI Allow?

365 days for REI Co-op Members and 90 days for non-members.

This only applies to products that were bought new.

REI calls this their 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and it used to be a lifetime guarantee but got dialed back in recent years.

PRO TIP: BECOME A CO-OP LIFETIME MEMBER

I’m not a shill for REI, but if you plan to buy from them somewhat frequently, you should look at the lifetime membership. For $30, you CAN become a lifetime Co-op member with REI and you’ll NEVER need to keep your receipt again. This is because your purchases will be automatically tracked and you’ll even earn 10% back on all full-priced purchases.

Can I Return Stuff That I Used for 364 Days?

Yes.

But if the reason for the return has to do with normal “wear and tear” or damage caused by improper use, you CANNOT make the return.

REI “RETURN CRACKDOWN” HAS BEGUN

Just a heads up that REI has recently started to crackdown on “excessive” returners. They’ve actually sent out an email to those they feel have abused their policy. The email states that they “found that the number and frequency of returns you have made far exceeds what we typically see from our members”.

The email goes on to say, “You will no longer be eligible to make returns or exchanges with REI”.

I think we can all agree that policy abusers need to be stopped. REI should not be a place to basically rent new gear, then return it at the end of the season.

The problem I have with the email is that it does NOT give any evidence, criteria, numbers, and ZERO warning. REI has every right to do this, but they should have provided a warning first so shoppers can act accordingly.

Can You Return Without a Receipt?

Hold on to those receipts because it’s the easiest way to make a return on in-store purchases.

Without a receipt they can try to lookup your purchase using the credit card you used, but it’s not a guarantee.

Debit card and cash purchases are virtually impossible to lookup without a valid receipt.

For online purchases be sure to login to your account and print-out your receipt or online invoice.

See Also: Urban Outfitters Return Policy: Insider TIPS for Success

PRO TIP: ALWAYS SHOP FOR USED BARGAINS

When used items get returned, they go to the REI Used Gear Program and are sold at a major discount. Take advantage of these deals. Many of the items are basically brand new and the savings goes up to 75% off the original price.

Any Exceptions to the 365 Days?

Yes, there are two exceptions.

1. Outdoor Electronics – Things like “activity monitors, GPS-enabled devices, bike trainers, emergency-communication devices, and cameras” must be returned within 90 days of purchase.

2. Used Gear – Anything that you buy used from REI comes with a 30 day return policy.

Is There Anything I Can’t Return to REI?

Yes, you CANNOT return any REI Garage Sale Merchandise as it’s all final sale.

Garage Sale stuff is used and sold “as-is” and if you try to return something it will be mailed back to you.

PRO TIP: DO NOT ABUSE THEIR RETURN POLICY

According to this Reddit thread, an REI employee actually had a guy try to return a water filter that he had urinated in and claimed it didn’t remove the “flavor of his urine” from the water. Don’t be that guy.

Is There a Different Policy on REI-Branded Items?

No, it doesn’t matter if the product was made by REI or not, the same return policy applies.

What About Returning Worn Boots and Clothing?

Yes, you can absolutely return clothing and boots that you’ve worn but decided you didn’t like.

As long as the reason for the return is NOT due to normal wear and tear you’re good to go.

This policy is very generous and essentially lets you “test drive” stuff to see how it fits before you decide to keep it.

PRO TIP: GET NEW GEAR OUT AND INSPECT IT

I have a good friend who is a major backpacker and he gave me the GREAT tip of always inspecting new gear bought at REI very carefully for manufacturing defects, especially if you don’t plan on using it for a while. He said this is especially true for items that come pre-packed. Think tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads, open them up and try them out. If you find any defects, take the item back to REI and get an exchange while they still have it in-stock. If you wait until you take the item out on trail, REI could come up with the “hiker misuse” excuse and make an exchange a MAJOR pain in the butt.

Does REI “Grandfather In” Certain Products Into the Lifetime Warranty?

As most avid REI customers know, their return policy used to be a Lifetime Warranty but was switched to 365 days back in 2013.

So the question arises when it involves products that were purchased before their policy switched to 365 days, are they eligible for the lifetime warranty?

The answer is a definitive MAYBE.

Meaning that if you’re willing to stand in the store and argue your case to the manager you may have some success.

But it’s safe to assume that your mileage will vary depending on how nice the manager on duty is that day.

See Also: Dick’s Sporting Goods Return Policy: Here’s How It Actually Works

Can I Have My Return Refused?

Yes.

REI will monitor your returns and if they feel you’re abusing their lenient policy they reserve the right to deny your return.

This happens most frequently when a customer claims an item “didn’t satisfy their needs”, even when they’ve worn the shirt or boots for 6 months and the item appears clearly “worn out” from extensive use.

Can I Return Online Purchases In-Store?

Yes, just bring the item in for a refund or even exchange to any REI location.

Not only can you return online purchases in-store, but you can return any item by mail regardless of whether you bought it online, in-store, or via the phone.

Who Pays the Shipping Fess on Online Returns?

You do.

If you opt for the online return option, be aware that you’ll be charged a $5.99 return shipping fee when using the prepaid shipping label.

Are REI-Outlet Returns Handled the Same Way?

Since REI Outlet stores don’t exist anymore this question is mute.

The REI Outlet is now online only and is essentially a clearance department, but the savings are pretty darn good with deals ranging from 20% off all the way up to 75% off the original retail price.

Ask the Reader: Are you a fan of the return policy at REI? Let me know if I’m missing any pertinent policy tidbits.

By Kyle James