(April 22, 2021 at 1:20 pm)arewethereyet Wrote: My first paid gig was the same as most girls. I babysat. There was a lady who lived near us who was the only divorced woman in town (seriously). Most people wouldn't let their daughters babysit for this brazen hussy when she worked nights waiting tables at the bowling alley/restaurant in town. I was often there from around four in the afternoon till at least two in the morning...often later. She had three kids aged 4, 6, and 7...I made an average of $.35 an hour to watch them, cook them dinner, clean up, bathe them, and get them to bed.
After that I had a couple gigs in restaurant kitchens mostly washing dishes, making relish trays, and at the country club waiting tables. I later worked as a bartender at the same country club.
Dad set up a summer job for me in a farm toy factory which is where I learned that assembly line work in an ancient building with a foundry and a paint room was not for me. I think I had worked my way up to $2.00 an hour. I left the job before the required two months was up and got hired the same day at a local mom and pop grocery store where the five of us did everything that needed to be done. It was really good experience. I may have been up to $2.10 an hour.
That takes me through high school with the added experience of working for dad since his veterinary business was based out of the house. That gig was paid with the roof over my head and meals. I answered the phone and decided what calls were emergencies, waited on clients who came in to pick up medication or pay on their bill, and even worked as a compounding pharmacist when someone needed a medication that wasn't on the shelf.
What put money in your pocket when you were growing up?
I started doing assembly work - soldering, cutting wire, polishing plastic parts - ect --- in my parent's basement, for the company dad worked for. No more than 20 hours a week during school year. As much as I wanted during summer break.
I got 10% earned. The rest had to go in my college fund.
During the summer - I baled hay for several neighbors and our own field. (square 75 lbs bales) I got to keep that money.
Starting the year we moved to the farm. I was 11.
BTW - my first new bike was a $300 Puch 10 speed with lots of goodies. I paid for it myself. (my older sister now has it).
