First job..
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
June 3, 2012 3:46pm CST
My oldest son just turned 15 a few weeks ago, and today he started his first job!
He got the job yesterday and was very excited. He got it through a friend of his who also works this job. He is working on a farm doing odd jobs. Today he worked 8 hours and got paid $50, and got a free lunch as well.
He will be going back on Thursday night, and both days next weekend.
He came home exhausted, filthy, and covered in scrapes and cuts, but super happy with himself. He can't wait to go back and work some more!
Although I'm a bit sad to think that my child is old enough for a job, I am also super happy for him and proud of him.
Although we are letting him spend his first paycheck however he wants, we have requested that from now on he put a portion of his pay into a savings account, and spend the majority of the rest on something worthwhile, only because when he's had money in the past he spent it all on candy and junk food and I didn't want to see all this money wasted like that. I told him I just want to see him have something tangible to show for it, like clothes or something, although it is okay to spend it on going out with his friends like to the movies or something.. to me that's still better than blowing it on candy or junk food. We did also say he could take a bit, like $5 or so to just spend on nonsense like candy if he wants.
How old was your child when they got their first job, and what was the job? Did you set any rules about how they spent their money, or did you figure they could spend it however they wanted since they earned it?
2 people like this
15 responses
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
3 Jun 12
GOOD FOR HIM! Both my sons had jobs early. I was a single parent & got them everything they needed but did not have alot to give them to just blow in. I don't believe in doing that to start with & if i'd had it wouldn't have given it to them to blow.They both wantyed cars & bought their first ones themselves. I think all young people should have a job & learn to appreciate their money & the hard work it takes to have it.They spent it wisely & i'm glad they did. Sometimes since they are grown w/families of their on i question in my mind whether they are doing that, lol. Young married couples these days think they should have everything that i worked years to get.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Jun 12
I think he will spend it wisely. He's already spent his whole life knowing we don't have much and that we can't just spend money on nonsense.. so I think he will be smart with his spending.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
3 Jun 12
I think it is great that your son is working because he is gaining independence and is building his resume. I think it is also great that you are allowing him to spend the money on what he wants and you also want him save some. I remember when i got my first job I saved all my money which was hard because I wanted to buy things for myself, but my parents will not allow me.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Jun 12
Letting him spend his money will save me some of my money. I have been giving him money to go to movies with his friends, buy his body spray, etc. Now he can pay for these things himself.
@GardenGerty (160488)
• United States
3 Jun 12
My daughter baby sat, probably at 11 years old. My son, I do not really remember. He had some good ones when he was 17. He did remind me that at thirteen he helped teach a session of swimming lessons. My kids also got allowances. My daughter was a saver, my son was a spender, but both of them picked large items to save up for. My daughter got a papa san chair for $79--she still has it. She is thirty two years old. My son bought used video games, and I will bet he still has those as well. We had a system where they earned more if they did extra. I also had money I put aside for school lunch and if they took their lunches instead the money set aside there could be spent on school or church activities and trips. They both had youth group jobs as well as public jobs and they both got to travel out of the country with church and my son went to DC with school for Science Olympiad. They saved and helped pay their way. Good work for your son getting a job. Lots of farm jobs are hard and dangerous, but he can be proud of himself for working hard.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Jun 12
He does not mind hard, dangerous work. He's already done a lot of hard jobs at home. My husband has had him help with dangerous yard work like cutting down trees and shrubs.. things like that. That's a lot of what my son got to do today.
@TeamCholent (2832)
• United States
3 Jun 12
Congrats on your son turning "of age" and starting to focus on the future. Have you tried to place perhaps 25% of all income in an investment portfolio or money market etc to help him get the most of it(and when he turns 21 will be happy to see a nice sum awaiting him). My kids are not old enough to start working just yet but sounds like you got the right age and he seems to be enjoying what he is doing.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Jun 12
I work at a bank and will take him there to get his savings set up.
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
3 Jun 12
hi katsmeow, my children both started working at McDonald and I
believe they were 14 beecause that the age they could recieve
working papers from high school...they were allow to spent or
save, I must say that at 15 there was definately not a lot of
buying candy...they actually purchased things that they wanted
which I refused to spend moneies on...like back in those days,
$50.00 sneakers etc...they really didn't spend, spend,spend because
they realized what they had to sacrifice, their time away from
hanging out with their friends and so they were pretty responsible
with their money...
good luck to your son....it teaches them a sense of responsibility.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Jun 12
I've heard that kids are smarter with their money when they earn it themselves. I hope that is what happens with my son.
@Lauraleigh99 (4718)
• United States
4 Jun 12
I started babysitting when I was 13 years old... My parents took 50% of my pay, which I didn't like at first, and put it in a bank account. When I turned 16 yrs old and got a part time job they did the same thing and I am glad they did now as I look back. By the time I was 17 years old I bought a car by myself and learned responsibility!! Otherwise I would have spent all my money on clothes, movie tickets and other fun entertaining items. Buying the car on my own made me feel grown up and like I worked hard for my money :)
@donsky14 (5947)
• Philippines
3 Jun 12
Congratulations to your son for his first job katsmeow. 
My kid is still two years old...so its gonna be a long way for his first job. Its really good that you advise your son on how to spend his money. At least he would be guided on how to spend his money wisely.
I would probably give the same advice to my kid when his old enough for his first job, to make sure that he saves money. 
My kid is still two years old...so its gonna be a long way for his first job. Its really good that you advise your son on how to spend his money. At least he would be guided on how to spend his money wisely.
I would probably give the same advice to my kid when his old enough for his first job, to make sure that he saves money. 
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
4 Jun 12
I think it's brilliant that your son has found some part time work. I'm sure it will be beneficial to him in other ways than just money.
My kids are too young to be working, but when I got my first jobs I don't remember my parents putting any guidelines into place as to how I could spend it. I am pretty good with money and always have been though, so perhaps there was no need. I don't really remember!
I agree with your guidelines for your son though. Kids need to learn money management skills as they're so important when they have to manage for themselves, and there's no better place to learn them than at home.
@frankiecesca (2489)
•
22 Jun 12
As you know, I haven't got any children but, I remember my first job delivering newspapers and I hated it but, loved the money at the end of it! I used to put some aside and then spend the rest and that was good because i loved having some saved up! I am sure your son will too and you have every reason to be proud! : )
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
4 Jun 12
Kats, it is good to hear your son had started his first job without any problem. I started my first job at the age of 14 as a babysitter for my mother's friend. Because her babysitter had gone back to hometown due to family matters. Since they need time to find a suitable babysitter, so i helped them to take their 6 months old baby. I don't have any problem taking care of baby since i always helping out my mother to take care of my younger siblings. I am happy to receive my first salary and fully utilized it for useful things.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
21 Jun 12
Congratulations for your son! I hope he is still liking it.
Last month my son got his black belt in Taekwondo. He is only 11.
Now he is a member of an elite group in his studio that could do a few jobs helping out younger kids, and lower ranked belt-students. I'm happy that he's already in this group because this could lead to an assistant instructor position in the studio, which could also mean a paying position too!.
Last week he's been asked to try out (assisting) in the 5-7 year old class.
I'm holding my breath as this could be his first job.
@coldnpale (555)
• Greece
4 Jun 12
I don't have a son, as i'm still quite young, but i can tell you about myself.:) My first real job was at the age of 18, working as an administrator in a local internet cafe. I was getting a bit less than 30 euros per day, which wasn't that good money, but the job was easy, and i was spending a lot of time gaming as well.:P Then from next year I was doing some factory and greenhouse jobs, with a normal salary. After that i decided to finish my studies, then i went to the army and now i am unemployed.. :P
