This is the true story of my first real paycheck.
As a kid from Long Island, my summers were spent at camp. First day camp, then sleep-away camp (CPLV. Best. Camp. Ever), then one summer on a west coast/Canadian Rockies tour. By the time that all ended in 1993, my parents told me that the following summer I would not be allowed to return to camp (this made me sad. Many arguments ensued) and I had to find a job. So that summer, the summer of 1994, at the ripe old age of 17, I got my very first job. As counselor-in-training. At a camp.
It was a logical job. After all, I was an experienced camper and I had plenty of experience babysitting (I had been doing it since I was 12. Yup, back then, people left 12 year olds in charge of their children) so it made sense that I would get a job supervising children in an outdoor setting in the middle of summer. Rather, I would get a job assisting someone supervising children in an outdoor setting in the middle of summer. It was my sneaky way of still being able to go to camp but meeting my parents’ requirement of getting paid.
I was a smart one, too. Not only did I manage to luck out with having 6-year-old girls but I signed up to be a bus counselor as well (even though I was 17 and had my own car, I still chose to be a bus counselor. There was a reason). I know you’re wondering right about now “How on Earth are those two decisions smart?” I’ll explain. It’s a rather simple explanation that can be summed up in two words–more tips. Where I’m from, it’s protocol that parents tip their children’s counselors and CITs. Parents of 6-year-old girls know what a handful they are and people always tip the bus counselor. All of these equaled more money for me. Which I desperately needed because my pay? Was pitiful.
I know that you’re thinking that this sounded like the perfect summer job. It was outside, going swimming, doing arts and crafts, avoiding horses (I am terrified of horses) and I didn’t even have to pay for my own gas to get to work. What sounds better, right? Unfortunately, there was a downfall to this job. Besides the fact that the guy I had a huge crush on all summer did not like me back (this was the first time I realized that perhaps I should not have crushes on Jewish boys, much to my parents’ dismay), my paycheck, which I was set to receive only at the end of the summer was going to be a very paltry $100.
$100. For 8 weeks worth of work. I found this out at the interview and I still took the job on purpose. Reflecting back, I realize that this was insane. But in my completely illogical, 17-year-old head, it made sense. I didn’t want to waitress and the thought of working retail was not at all appealing. I was a camper, dammit! I was going to work in a camp no matter what. I was still going to earn money through tips and babysitting on the weekends. Also, I was very fortunate that I had no expenses beyond my hobbies. What did I need money for? So, I accepted the $100 with a smile on my face, satisfied that I had landed my very first real job. And you know what? The experience was worth every penny of that $100.
If you do the math, that summer I worked for approximately $.31 per hour. I’m sure that’s somehow unlawful. But the camp was able to get around any sort of law and that’s what they paid me. I do remember that I made about $300 in tips. When you think about the fact that I had 4 or 5 campers and there were about 7 kids on the bus, that equals roughly $25 per kid. OK. Maybe that’s pretty terrible, too. But at the end of the summer I had $400 and nothing to spend it on but CDs, books, and going out with friends. Not too shabby. Fine. It is shabby, but I was proud of it. Because I had not only applied for the job, but I interviewed and was offered the job all on my own.
Now, over 17 years later, I’m still proud of that job. I learned so much (in addition to figuring out that Jewish boys don’t like me) about myself, my capabilities and my work ethic. I learned how much sunscreen it takes not to get a sunburn. I learned that, no matter how hard I try, I will always be afraid of horses. I learned that people can go way overboard with their love of Stevie Nicks. I learned how to apply for a job, how to interview for a job, and how to accept a job. Most of all, I learned the satisfaction of getting a paycheck.
And that? Was worth all $100.
Comments
Trackbacks
-
[…] Daily Money Shot – The $100 Paycheck […]
-
[…] Jana from Daily Money Shot shares The Tale of the $100 paycheck. […]
-
[…] BrokeRappers With College Degrees at Young Adult Finances31 Things to Know About Me at Money MambaThe tale of the $100 paycheck at Daily Money ShotThe Easiest $100 I Ever Made at Sweating the Big StuffToys: The Biggest Money […]
I think first jobs at times in our lives around that age are there to gain life experience more so than to anything else. It’s great that you have memories and I bet some of them have great memories of you as well!
Money Beagle recently posted…We Did It! We Bought A Camper!
I had so much fun that summer! It was definitely a great “first job”.
Did they pay for your expenses on the trips like entrance and stuff & provide you with food? That’s probably how they got away with it 🙂
I loved JCC summer camps. Even thought the turf at the facility smelled like urine after it rained it was the greatest thing ever. Nothing but playing sports all day every day and going on crazy trips like amusement parks and whitewater rafting on the Delaware River for a weekend at the end of each summer. Damn, I wish I could go back!
Eric J. Nisall – DollarVersity recently posted…The Truth About Private Mortgage Insurance & How To Cancel It
They paid for almost nothing. If it was a rainy day, we went to the movies and that was paid for but other than that, nothing. And I had to bring my own lunch every day.
OMG, do I miss camp. Best summers ever. There is nothing better than spending 8 weeks away from your parents with some of your best friends, supervised by college students and basically doing whatever you wanted all day long (OK, there was some structure but not much 🙂 )
Yikes, that’s some pretty low pay! But it’s great that you learned many of those lessons when you did, even if you got paid less than $1 an hour! I think Eric is right about room and board, too. It sounds like it was at least a fun experience, too, right?
Jeffrey Trull recently posted…Spruced Up: Last Minute Holiday Shopping Edition
It was a day camp, so I lived at home. I guess technically that was free room and board 🙂
Working at a camp was certainly a fun experience. So much so that I did it for 4 more summers!
That’s quite the paycheck! Sometimes though, a job isnt all about money -it’s about what you get from the experience
Jeff @ Sustainable Life Blog recently posted…Why Saying No is Good Sometimes
I completely agree. I got a lot out of that job, so what I got paid in the intangible certainly exceeded the tangible.
I had my first job at 17 as well, working with kids. Those were the good old days when books & CD’s were all you needed and wanted to buy 🙂 I was 17 in 1994 also!!! Was that really 17 years ago??? Holy crap!! 🙂
I know. It freaks me out to think that I was 17 that long ago! I still feel like I’m 17 some days.
That is an extremely low rate. Still, in terms of personal development your first job experience beats mine, as a car washer at a dealership on a Saturday morning. I made about $10 per hour, but definitely not as fulfilling as working with people.
Hunter – Financially Consumed recently posted…Know Before You Owe – Credit Cards
I definitely got paid a lot in personal experience and development but sometimes I wonder if I wasn’t a fool for accepting such a small, almost nonexistent paycheck.
Yikes! That’s a crazy wage! I don’t think I would have accepted that even when I was 17. Glad it worked out for you though. 🙂
What a great story! Even though your wages were low, it’s great that you took away something more valuable from the experience. What’s up with these Jewish boys?
Sherrian@KNSFinancial recently posted…Pay For Spray: Firefighters Let Another House Burn Down Over $75
I don’t know what’s wrong with them. But I’m glad I found a non-Jewish one to marry!
What a great first job! Mine was as a dishwasher, and I was paid $2 per hour (way under minimum wage!). But I was so proud to have a job that it didn’t matter.
Christa recently posted…Spending Out of Boredom
That’s how I felt. Proud. I got the job all by myself and it was my job. No one else’s.
First jobs with low pay are a rite of passage. That’s how you enter adulthood.
marissa recently posted…Ipad 2 vs Samsung Galaxy
That’s a good point. Although I’m not sure that I feel like an adult yet 🙂