by Arthur Gibson

Created on: March 04, 2009

Trying to remember how I spent my first paycheck could be quite difficult. Especially since I started my first actual job at a Burger joint called "Griffs" in April of 1965. Before that time any money I made came from mowing yards at $2 a yard or from babysitting for 50 cents an hour for 2 neighbor boys. I mention the yard mowing and babysitting fees just to give young people a difference in what you called paid back in the mid 60s compared to wages today. And no I'm not complaining, believe me, I know the difference in prices back then compared to what we pay for things today.

Because I wasn't 16 when I started my first job, my parents and I thought I might need to get a government work permit. The law back then was pretty clear on teens under 16 getting a job without one. However, since I was fairly close to my 16th birthday and because my prospective employer didn't want to be bothered with any additional paperwork, the requirement was waived. I suspect that that was done kind of under the table. At any rate, with my dad driving me store, I had my first ever job interview and was hired. I was to start the following weekend. At the time, I was sky high with visions of everything I was going to be able to buy for myself. And I figured that if I was buying things with my money, my parents would have no input on what I did with the money. Boy, was I wrong about that; but that as they say is another article.

At any rate, I started my first job, making the grand total of $1 per hour, just to make sure everyone understands, that's a 1 period and 2 zeros per hour. Hey, back in the mid 60s that was good money for a kid flipping burgers, making fries, and mopping a floor. And we were glad to get that paycheck! And remember, I was the one that wanted the job and was willing to work for that amount of money.

My first paycheck was for about $15 after taxes. If it hadn't been for things I wanted to buy, I think I would have framed it! That's how excited and proud I was to get a paycheck. Instead like most kids I suddenly felt like I had money to burn and if it hadn't have been for my folks it would have been gone in a day. Instead, my parents looked at my check and decided it was time to learn about money.

The first 10% went to the church as tithe. So now I thought I had $13.50 to spend. Wrong! Instead I put probably $3.50 in the bank in a Savings Account at their direction. But, I did get to spend the last $10. If I remember correctly I bought a new shirt for about $2.50, spent probably $5 on things like a movie and drink, burgers and drinks 2 or 3 days, and still had about $2 left when payday rolled around again. I had reached the big time and still hadn't reached my 16th birthday yet. That first paycheck gave me visions of being a rich man by the time I was 30 or no later than 35. Once again, time and circumstances proved me wrong.

But, hey! Don't feel sorry for me. I could buy gas for my car, when I got my license for about 20 cents a gallon, a pepsi was a dime, and a burger was 15 or 20 cents. And cigarettes, when I started smoking 2 months later cost a quarter out of a machine. So, see, everything is relative. The percentage of my check that went for things I wanted back then is about the same as it is for the same items today. The figures have just gone up as prices and wages have gone up. Just remember what my dad told me when I started my first job, "Always give your boss your best effort each day." You'll feel good about yourself, and your boss will notice.

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