7 upvotes, 12 direct replies (showing 12)
View submission: Living with no Retirement money
Working full time since you’re 14??
Comment by njoinglifnow at 05/02/2025 at 23:33 UTC
80 upvotes, 4 direct replies
Yes. On farms you can work at 14. I rode on a combine and detasseled corn. I also worked for the Youth Conservation Corps when I was 15. Helped build fire breaks in the forest.
I'm female and when I was 14, I looked about 10.
Comment by Realistic-Weird-4259 at 05/02/2025 at 23:27 UTC
22 upvotes, 3 direct replies
My first "real" job was at 14. I've been working on and off since I was 10yo.
I'm going to be 61 soon and cannot plan for this thing called retirement.
Comment by rabidseacucumber at 06/02/2025 at 00:32 UTC
18 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My first real job was at 14 too.
Comment by dnhs47 at 06/02/2025 at 00:43 UTC
11 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Starting at 13, I worked full-time in the summers at my family’s business, a campground.
More than full-time, actually - about 12 hours a day, 6-7 days per week, now that I’ve done the math. Funny, I’d never done the math before.
I continued working in the campground until I was 19, had summer jobs throughout college, and my first real job after I graduated at 23.
Retired 40 years later, fortunately with plenty of money to live comfortably.
Comment by Rocket-J-Squirrel at 06/02/2025 at 00:14 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I did.
Comment by RonSwansonsOldMan at 06/02/2025 at 02:18 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I had a full time job at age 14 at a hamburger joint. If you could prove need, you could get a permit to work at that age.
Comment by MadameSaintMichelle at 06/02/2025 at 04:11 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I'm 45, started waiting tables at the local restaurant at 13. It was a big to do cause we had to go down town and I had to get a special permit.
But all kinds of kids did stuff working. Some worked on farms, some mowed lawns, some delivered papers, I spent a summer waiting tables and cleaning houses to save for a school trip.
Comment by Wide_Chemistry8696 at 06/02/2025 at 01:47 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I worked since I was 13 years old. My parents had to sign a permission form issued by the state. I worked for 52 years and had to retire due to failing health.
Comment by Inevitable_Law7680 at 06/02/2025 at 02:10 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I’ve been working since 14 and I’m 47. My first hourly rate was $4.35. I’ll work at least 20 more before I can retire
Comment by P0GPerson5858 at 06/02/2025 at 08:57 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My first job was at 14, car hop at a Sonic Drive In. It was the summer of 1976. Full time that summer, part time when school started. And the boss moved me inside to learn the fountain and order taking.
Comment by Successful_Ride6920 at 06/02/2025 at 11:56 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Lied about my age when I was 12 so I could work bussing tables. Now, I didn't work every day of my youth, but whenever I lost a job I was busy looking for another one. Mostly worked at restaurants and gas stations, though I also did painting and roofing as a teenager. Yeah, back then, if you wanted something, you had to earn it, there was no begging your parents for it, here simply wasn't any money.
Comment by eskimopie23525 at 06/02/2025 at 13:30 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You’re in the old ppl sub. Back in the day, It was not uncommon to see older children working in the family store. I had my 1st job at 12. Selling hot dogs at the ‘84 olympics in LA. It was my family’s booth to promote their soccer business. Been working full time my whole life. Fortunately, I will be good in retirement. I’m lucky to be in this position but also I busted my azz to get here. I’m 53 , retiring this September. I’m tired lol