This post is specially dedicated to my mother and grandmother. They were two of the most creative women (in terms of money) I knew growing up. Their dedication to frugal living has taught me a whole lot.
By the way, I do not endorse child labour. Children should not be forced to work for a living, but if they have an entrepreneurial streak, I’d say it definitely needs to be nurtured.
So here is some background information for those who don’t know me that well. I grew up in Jamaica in the 70’s and had an awesome childhood. Life was good. I didn’t realise how poor we were however. My grandmother sold food stuff of different kinds in the over- crowded Linstead market and my mother also did the same at some points. Sometimes she worked in a shop or bar, just anything to make a living.
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Making and saving money was fun as a child. We weren’t used to lemonade stands as some children are nowadays so we had to find other ways to be creative with our money making ventures. Here are some of the things we did to get and save money.
- Birthday and Christmas money saved for later
- Selling some of my grandmother’s fruits at school allowed me to earn a little for myself
- experimenting with cooking at home and selling the products to my brothers and sisters (very little money but lots of experience)
- Doing household chores like cleaning the floor, washing up etc.
- Selling ‘a view’ through my view master. Did you have one when you were little? It was one of my best Christmas presents ever and I loved holding it while the other kids had a little peek for about 3 seconds for 5 cents!
I know some people are much more creative than I was though! So what are some of the ways you made and saved money when you were younger?
I strongly believe in teaching kids to be frugal. Don’t you?
Great post — love the topic! What a gift from your mother and grandmother, and a great legacy to carry on.
I wasn’t particularly entrepreneurial as a child (I tried “investing” in comic books), and only started my business journey this year, in my late 30s, so it’s never too late.
I wasn’t particularly frugal either until my first year out of college.
My children are way ahead of where I was!
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That’s true. You are never too late! And I predict that you are going to do really well! Keep encouraging and supporting your children. Thanks for stopping by.
What a cool topic! I grew up on a farm/flower nursery so there was plenty of opportunity to work.
One of my favorite ways to earn money when I was younger was to pick up pine cones. In the winter time we made wreathes, grave blankets and center pieces for the Christmas holiday and we were paid a penny a pine cone to pick them up and bring them in for decorating the wreathes and such.
I think our parents thought we would come in with 25, or maybe 50 pine cones. They were a little shocked when we came in with trash bags full of pine cones!
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Sounds like you had a blast of a time making money as a child! Sounds like fun too! Thanks for sharing.
My family definitely wasnt well off when I was young. It was all about second hand clothes (I had a brother), clothes to fit for years worth of growing and saving up our pocket money. But I truly think it helps when you get older. I am so stingy with money now! But I wouldn’t change it for the world now.
Great post guys!
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Our past has certainly shaped us, hasn’t it. I am happy too, that it has paid off for us as we learnt to be frugal kids and now adults. Thanks a lot for stopping by. We really appreciate it.