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It has been quite the cold winter so far throughout the whole country, specifically in the northeast. Coming from NY and going to school in PA I am used to frigid temperatures and an abundance of snow during the dark months. I never have even really minded cold weather, I actually look forward to it, it helps me appreciate the summer months when they come.
Now the past two weeks its been freezing down here in the DC area, something I wasn’t expecting when I first moved down. And with wind chills putting the temperatures in the teens, I’m getting sick of it quickly. We even had the highest snowfall in 40 years a few weeks ago. Considering it never snows down here, all I had were two dust pans to scoop up the snow to clear out my car, not fun at all. It’s something I haven’t had to do in awhile.
After reading Centsible Life’s post on how she hired kids to shovel her driveway so she could spend more time with her family and getting stuff done around the house, it made me chuckle and think about my own childhood growing up in NY in the winter.
I used to love when it snowed as a kid growing up, because I would get to shovel it. No, I didn’t look forward to my parents forcing me to shovel my own driveway, but after I was complete with that I became my own little entrepreneur. either by myself or with a friend I would walk around the neighborhood trying to get hired to shovel someone’s driveway. I did my research and would target the elderly in the development, who sometimes even if they had a plow scheduled to come would cancel it just because they could not resist a cute kid.
I would negotiate although t his is where I struggled, I never knew the appropriate dollar amount to ask and felt bad trying to get as much as I could. I usually would charge $15-$20 and with one other person, would work hard to get it done fast.
Three houses shoveled later in the day, I would be completely exhausted, and more importantly $60 richer give or take. That was a lot of money growing up, a solid days work. Not just that, it really was hard earned money, something that really taught me the value of hard work and what it takes to make a buck. I don’t remember if there was something specific I saved for or just wanted to have extra spending cash just in case, but I can assure you I didn’t just throw it away.
Now that I’m older I miss those snow filled days, and snow now becomes more of an inconvenience than anything else and I hope the kids today still take some time from the computer and PS3 to try to work hard and make some money on days that it snows a lot. Because it really can be a kids financial dream.
Did you used to shovel snow as a kid?
Yes, I also shoveled snow as a kid. I would do it at home, then help out at the apartments my parents owned… however, no pay! I do remember the excitement of getting money cutting lawns in the summer though. Back then $20 seemed like a ton of money… ahhh simpler times.
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Unfortunately, growing up in Miami there wasn’t too much snow to shovel. Though, that didn’t stop me from coming up with money making schemes. I had my own door-to-door candy business. I would talk my mother into buying a few bulk bags of candy at Costco, then I would go door to door and try to sell it. It worked out for a while, until people stopped answering the door and I started eating more candy than I was selling. I should of known better to get a sugar high on my own supply. I also tried washing cars / mowing lawns.
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@Derek Yea its hard to shovel snow in Miami, ha. That is a good way to make as a kid as well, heard many people do something similar, but you can’t eat your product, definitely hurts the profit margin. I am going to work on a follow up series asking people to explain their money making schemes as kids. Should be fun.
@Ryan Must have been tough to do all that hard work and get no money, hopefully you got some hot chocolate at least. But mowing lawns is the same sort of deal, and agree, it does feel great as a kid making a buck like that.
I would have if I hadn’t lived in a neighborhood full of super-long driveways. Plowing really was the only option. I stuck to babysitting and lawn mowing (but not in my immediate area – huge lawns!).
People who did that as kids seem to be more productive and responsible as adults. Babysitting and cutting lawns are in the same category.
What makes it hard for kids today is that people are reluctant to hire kids for work around the house due to liability. That existed when I was a kid but no one ever pursued it. Now, you do have to worry about that, and about child labor laws.
I’m not so sure it’s better today in that regard.
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@MoneyMateKate Yes, long driveways can be a problem, having some help would definitely be needed for that, or the snow plows like you mention. Baby sitting and lawn mowing are same types of activities as well. And despite what some people may think, babysitting is very exhausting.
@Kevin I think hard work as a kid definitely helps makes you more responsible as an adult but I wouldn’t make it a concrete statement. I disagree with the reluctance to hire kids just because this is a simple odd job around the neighborhood, where there are no contracts, tax forms, or anything like that in the way so I don’t think child labor laws would interfere in something small and simple like shoveling snow, or babysitting, or cutting lawns.
@Kevin, I agree with Craig and don’t believe that child labor laws are a problem. That said, I agree that kids doing jobs like snow shoveling, lawn mowing and babysitting help to teach them an appreciation of a hard day of work and the rewareds.
@Kate Not just those type of odd jobs, but any sort of job a kid can have growing up teaches hard work and the value of a days work.
kids really want to make money and you are rite about the cold season. they are really crazy at that time.
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@Flint Agree, it’s such an easy way to take advantage of the snowy season.
I mowed lawns and raked leaves when I was young. Never got into, snow shoveling. Parents could not resist my great services.
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@RJ It’s funny cause I always snow shoveled, but never mowed lawns.
Craig, labor laws & liability may not be an actual problem, but I think they’re perceived to be.
Where I live, many people have professional landscapers, but I’m not aware of any who hire the neighborhood kid to do the work, and there are many kids around here. When I was a kid, we all did that kind of work! Today, people worry more, and we have the media to remind us why we should.
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@Kevin But I wouldn’t assume the reason for that is because of labor laws. Everyone on my parents block has professional landscapers as well. I also know usually when a whole block signs up, they usually get better rates, plus they can tend the lawn better than just mowing. I just think more people now-a-days have professionals opposed to some kid, I honestly don’t think it has anything to do with labor laws.
Growing up in Minnesota…you can only imagine the amount of snow we get each year. There are many memories of shoveling with dad and my brother, then going in for hot chocolate! I think we may have even gotten paid a few times… And really, who doesn’t love to go out and play in the snow every so often!
@Katy Wow, you must have had tons of snow so you are used to shoveling as well. It is such a great feeling to play in the snow and go in for some hot chocolate. Even more fun when you can get some money out of it, ha.
I came from the west coast and there was never any snow. I have a new love. It’s great to be out with my kids removing the snow … too bad there isn’t any in my area right now.
@Tax Guy It’s a novelty for you since you are coming from the West Coast. I am glad you enjoy it but give it a few snow storms to change your mind, ha.
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Have not lived near the snow since I was 5 years old. Miss ice skating, building igloos, fishing through the ice, tobagganing, even shoveling snow.
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Being in the UK we never used to get enough snow but when I was a kid I would offer to clean windscreens in carparks. Worked a treat and if the weather was bad would soon get new customers. Bring those days back I say…
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