Minimum Wage & The Jobless Summer

My favorite Min wage job was a full service gas station attendant and light mechanic at a Shell station. Good side benefit was working on your own car after hours using all the tools and lift, and parts for cost.

Everyone I knew in HS had a job in 1975, it was standard procedure then.

Kudos to you parents that have kids that work. Its not so common anymore.

Joe wrote: My favorite Min wage job was a full service gas station attendant and light mechanic at a Shell station. Good side benefit was working on your own car after hours using all the tools and lift, and parts for cost.

My grandpaw had a truck stop so I guess it was a requirment that I work there from the time I was 12au was uh well uh cheap.. Hey I learned how to drive semi's, change giant tires, lube autos and trucks, and yes I became the gear head I am from that as well as my Dad buying early muscle cars.

Martin Ent Inc wrote:

Joe wrote: My favorite Min wage job was a full service gas station attendant and light mechanic at a Shell station. Good side benefit was working on your own car after hours using all the tools and lift, and parts for cost.

My grandpaw had a truck stop so I guess it was a requirment that I work there from the time I was 12au was uh well uh cheap.. Hey I learned how to drive semi's, change giant tires, lube autos and trucks, and yes I became the gear head I am from that as well as my Dad buying early muscle cars.

lol It's been a while since I've heard "gear head". Don't do much of it myself anymore, but look back affectionately on my drag racing days. Sure worked long and hard to pay for all those "needed" modifications that made those muscle cars really perform. ))

Yup ,and now it's more expensive than ever.

I'm one of the younger crowd on here (that I know of, anyway!), one of the Gen-Y crowd, and I started working at the age of 13 lining softball fields... and I have never stopped since. I worked constant jobs through high school, and work in IT with seven years of experience and a college degree in my field at 25.

I was blown away a few years ago when those of my friends who went to college on their parent's dime got out of school to take entry-level jobs that I'd moved past already while earning my degree, I was even more blown-away to learn that a lot of them either had their parent's help in paying for college, living arrangements, etc., and again when I found out that many of them had the same assistance after college. I've always knew that I had a strong work-ethic, but I never knew that suddenly, in my generation, that had become the minority!

I think that a lot of this graph can be based upon parents, to some degree, and what they provide their children. I was allowed to borrow the car, but never had one of my own. I borrowed my Ex's car when I moved out at eighteen, and finally bought one when I got my first in-industry job at eighteen... there's something to be said for understanding the value of a dollar, and coming to the realization that if you really want something, want to survive, to thrive, and to consume what you want, you need to earn it yourself.

I came to that conclusion pretty early in life because my family was going through very hard financial times, and my parents were willing but unable to provide me with the things that I wanted and needed... the money I brought in helped both them, and me, and I think it's important to teach to kids not just that mom and dad make money, and not just to give them an allowance or a checking account, but to teach them how much time each dollar really costs them, and that whether you're educated (or experienced!) and make $$$ an hour, or have a retail job or are just entering the workforce and make $ an hour, you're going to be working 40 hours a week anyway... might as well try for the best positions you can, and build up the experience so that you make more no matter what position you hold! Might as well make more money, if you're putting in the hours anyway! (Also, of course, find a job you love, even if you don't make all the money in the world, although it can definitely be beneficial to find a balance!)

I loved your post RCCL. I did it all myself too and always worked from 14 and beyond. I was the bread winner and supported my family and later my parents completely too. In fact, this is the first time in my life that I didn't support myself, my kids, and my parents (who are no longer with us). I think it is great to help your kids out if you can, but I think it is equally important that they learn to help themselves. I know what it's like to carry all the financial burdens, but doing a job you love is really the icing on the cake. I've been pretty lucky I guess. Good for you RCCL!

Sunshine Girl wrote: I loved your post RCCL. I did it all myself too and always worked from 14 and beyond. I was the bread winner and supported my family and later my parents completely too. In fact, this is the first time in my life that I didn't support myself, my kids, and my parents (who are no longer with us). I think it is great to help your kids out if you can, but I think it is equally important that they learn to help themselves. I know what it's like to carry all the financial burdens, but doing a job you love is really the icing on the cake. I've been pretty lucky I guess. Good for you RCCL!

Thank you, and good for you (and your daughter!) too! I will admit that I feel as though much of what has happened to me has been luck. I've lucked into positions I wouldn't have thought myself qualified for, but I've excelled at them all with determination and desire, and it sounds like you've instilled those qualities in your family as well, and I think that is great!

RCCL wrote:

Sunshine Girl wrote: I loved your post RCCL. I did it all myself too and always worked from 14 and beyond. I was the bread winner and supported my family and later my parents completely too. In fact, this is the first time in my life that I didn't support myself, my kids, and my parents (who are no longer with us). I think it is great to help your kids out if you can, but I think it is equally important that they learn to help themselves. I know what it's like to carry all the financial burdens, but doing a job you love is really the icing on the cake. I've been pretty lucky I guess. Good for you RCCL!

Thank you, and good for you (and your daughter!) too! I will admit that I feel as though much of what has happened to me has been luck. I've lucked into positions I wouldn't have thought myself qualified for, but I've excelled at them all with determination and desire, and it sounds like you've instilled those qualities in your family as well, and I think that is great!

That is how I have felt many times in my life. I think we put out the positive energy and it comes back to us. The fact that we feel that we are lucky in what comes our way is great because we appreciate it. That's what it's all about. Having that positive perspective on life sure beats a negative one of doom and gloom. Congrats to all your success!

Luck favors the prepared.