Wealth (consisting of minimum wage) was a new sensation since I seldom earned babysitting money; I lived in the middle of nowhere.
My work day ended a couple of hours earlier than Mom’s. Sometimes I occupied myself by doing voluntary filing for Mom and her officemates, other times I walked around town and window shopped.
Despite having just eaten a free late lunch after the cafeteria stopped serving, I frequented a soda fountain at Grants Department store (different than the Grants near Bochi’s). My favorite snacks were a grilled hot dog on a toasted bun or a hot-fudge banana split. For variety, I sporadically ordered French fries.I always left a generous tip of ten cents, which really was generous at the time. I sat up straight on the red vinyl stool to convey my status of big spender and independent woman of the world.
Occasionally, I rode the bus to Fort Edward to visit my two aunts and cousins. When I got my junior license Aunt Sophi let me use her car twice on extremely hot afternoons. I drove her two oldest daughters and other younger cousins to the community swimming pool. I was the adult in charge—not wise, but my aunts were used to my cousin Annie, the same age as me and definitely more mature.
A real job meant paying taxes. I begrudged the government’s dip into my pocket, until I received my first income tax return. I realized it was my own money getting returned to me without interest, but it felt like I hit the jackpot.

http://www.thecolorsofindiancooking.com
A gourmet appetizer in the 1960s!
My magnanimous charity extended to my non-working sisters.
I bought Susan and Paula a stuffed chicken and rabbit, each covered with genuine bunny fur, for Easter.I continued to buy my sisters treats each tax time until I moved away. One year, I let Susan pick out two extravagant items Mom would never buy. She chose white patent leather dress shoes (not on sale) and a real majorette’s twirling baton.
On Paula’s sixth birthday I was a senior at St. Norbert College, several states away. I mailed her a shoe box stuffed full with every young Norton girl’s dream; penny candy and cheap makeup.
Being so much older than my sisters (nine and fifteen and a half years), I had money when they didn’t, and I knew what kids liked.
Lesson learned: It is far better to give than to receive; although receiving isn’t all bad.
Now it’s your turn: How did you spend money from your first job?
Related posts: Chapter Thirteen: Working Jello Girl; Chapter Twelve: Cow Poop, Barn Cats, and a Milk Maid
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great title, bring motivation and success.
Thanks, Mihrank.
I knew you have a big heart. 😀
Thanks, Levi. And I have photographic proof!
Yeah, you do. Lol. Hope you’re doing well.
You are so sweet and generous ❤ xox
Oh Ralph, thank you. But I had my moments on the other side of the coin too!
lol 😀
Wonderful story! Your sisters were very fortunate to have such a generous older sister.
Thanks, VG. I used to feel jipped that I didn’t have an older sister. On the other hand, I got to be the boss for a long time.
And as I told Ralph, I definitely didn’t have a halo hanging over my head. I spent plenty of time on the dark side, too.
It certainly is more blessed to give than to receive – especially blessed not needing to receive 🙂
You’re right about that, Suresh. I’ve experienced both.
As I recall, probably horse stuff. I had no siblings but I had a horse that I showed.
Lots of sugar cubes and apples, Kris? I’m sure your horse appreciated it!
Oh yes, lots of apples. Not too many sugar cubes.
Missed your hilarity. Now I’m back on my ‘skinny-drip’. 😀
Thanks, Spunky. Things are getting back to normal and Pookie is doing fine.
You mean Pookie-Pie? The guy who is also known as Dookie-Head and Pookie-Pants? 😀
I remember feeling really rich at the age of maybe ten: I went to the village fair with 50 Austrian Shillings in my pocket (don’t remember if that was my saved pocket money or also consisted of gifts from Aunties and Granny). To put it into perspective: that would be about 4.5. dollars. But I thought I could buy the whole world with it! Funnily enough, I do remember the feeling of wealth, but not if I actually bought anything in the end.
Choosing, I wish I could feel rich with four and a half dollars in my pocket today! But as a kid, it doesn’t take much to be on top of the world.