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-misanthroptimist

(1,551 posts)

13. Working for myself was my first job

Reply to gab13by13 (Original post)

Fri Nov 14, 2025, 10:50 AM

Nov 14

In the summer, I'd hitch an old manual push mower to my bike and cruise town looking for tall grass. Eventually, I established a small group of regular customers.

In the winter, I'd shovel snow. There was a storefront with three or four businesses that hired me. That entailed rising at 4am and trudging a mile through the still pristine snow and spending 15-60+ minutes shoveling off the sidewalk, then trudging back home. But it was worth the money! They paid me $10. Adjusted for inflation, that works out to over $80 in 2025 dollars. Many a friend got to bowl for free.

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Highlight:

What Was Your 1st Job - Any Stories [View all] gab13by13 Nov 14 OP

Delivering newspapers for $1 a day RazorbackExpat Nov 14 #1

I posted this earlier in a Floyd D. Turbo Lounge OP, but it probably fits here too All my professional jobs pale hlthe2b Nov 14 #2

First job was for my dad. RoeVWade Nov 14 #3

Burger King Scrivener7 Nov 14 #4

Dishwasher and busboy when I was a senior in high school Bobstandard Nov 14 #5

After lawn mowing to buy baseball cards, usonian Nov 14 #6

Saturday receptionist/assistant at the photography studio on the Hueneme SeaBee base. Attilatheblond Nov 14 #7

My father had a little photos studio when I was growing up. Walleye Nov 14 #27

Hmm, I went on to date a photographer, many years later Attilatheblond Nov 14 #41

I was a parttime cashier at a Kroger Grocery Store in high school. The only things I really remember from Vinca Nov 14 #8

I cut yards. Haggard Celine Nov 14 #9

Paper Boy Johnny2X2X Nov 14 #10

Clothing factory Freddie Nov 14 #11

What if it was like the job Steve Martin got in The Jerk? DemocratSinceBirth Nov 14 #12

Working for myself was my first job -misanthroptimist Nov 14 #13

A couple weeks filing in my dad's office for cbabe Nov 14 #14

1st job? MarineCombatEngineer Nov 14 #15

Grocery store - part time. Produce, then Deli. NewHendoLib Nov 14 #16

Delivered newspapers OLDMDDEM Nov 14 #17

1958. Dishwasher/busboy at a deli. $1 per hour under the table. I was 15. Ping Tung Nov 14 #18

I worked at a pharmacy... Mark.b2 Nov 14 #19

My first real job was labeling artifacts that archeologists sent in leftyladyfrommo Nov 14 #20

First thing I got paid for? Stacey Grove Nov 14 #21

Fun story.... Happy Hoosier Nov 14 #22

I used to hang out and play at this small neighborhood grocery store when I was a kid Shambala Nov 14 #23

Delivering Milk to People's Houses MineralMan Nov 14 #24

Curb hop at Steak-n-Shake. Emile Nov 14 #25

Cool, gab13by13 Nov 14 #29

Multitasking Marthe48 Nov 14 #26

Milk store, which was an outlet for a dairy. At night I would serve customers. Walleye Nov 14 #28

;-{) Soda Jerk in a drug store Goonch Nov 14 #30

Other than cutting grass, I too began in a grocery store-- A&P at 16 years old. I remember the join Union speech. Silent Type Nov 14 #31

First job probably a paper boy Dyedinthewoolliberal Nov 14 #32

At age 16, I passed a lie detector while lying CanonRay Nov 14 #33

A sales clerk in a cigar store. Mme. Defarge Nov 14 #34

Yard work Pinback Nov 14 #35

When I was a kid I made a fortune Coldwater Nov 14 #36

Summer job at 16 writing software for the Altair 8800 tinrobot Nov 14 #37

Spice Girl Bayard Nov 14 #38

Janitor's Helper At A Banquet Hall ProfessorGAC Nov 14 #39

13 years old DiverDave Nov 14 #40

Summer after my freshman year in college. My father was a partner in a large fast food chains franchise and Raftergirl Nov 14 #42

Substitute organist in the DC area oberle Nov 14 #43

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