One of the great things about the United States of America is that most of the school children there do a variety of part- time jobs during their summer holidays or even during regular school days.
Do your bit
Even children of wealthy parents do part time jobs and earn their money, instead of relying on their parents for everything. This teaches the children several things.
For one, it teaches them about the dignity of labour. No work is big or small, and work itself is dignity. Second, it teaches children the value of money and hard work. When you know how much work it takes to make money, you stop asking your parents to buy you things that are expensive, and not necessary.
However, in India, it is mostly the poor students or children, who end up doing part time jobs — like the boy who sells sundal and tea in the evenings at Marina beach, Chennai, to supplement his family income. The middle class and upper class school students do not generally do part-time work of the productive variety.
To some extent, it is also because as a society, we do not encourage children to “work”. We, in India, think that it is better to study and get good grades so that one can have a cushy job, instead of doing trivial work. However, some of the richest people in the world are the ones who started working early, even when they were children.
Warren Buffet, one of the richest men in the world today, used to deliver newspapers as a school boy. He also installed pin ball machines in barber shops so that people could play the game while waiting. He made so much money in his part time activities that at the age of 14, he was able to buy 40 acres of farm land, paying for it out of his own pocket.
So look out for opportunities like car washing, baby sitting, dog walking, house cleaning and dusting, tuition etc. and start earning your money. Start today! You would be surprised how much one can earn through these activities. Who knows, one day you may be India's own Warren Buffet.
Money Trivia : Gates’ first
Bill Gates, who was the world's richest man for most of the last decade or so, started his first business venture Traf-o-Data, along with his friend Paul Allen, while he was at High School. A few years later, they founded one of the greatest business success stories of all time, Microsoft!
Young World Money-Wizards Quiz #10
This American business man pioneered the concept of ordering computers through mail order catalogue. He built one of the most powerful computer brands in the world, which is incidentally named after him. He started collecting stamps when in school and then auctioned his collection and made $2,000, in the late 1970s. This is equivalent to several lakh of rupees today. Who is this businessman? Email your answer to youngworld@money-wizards.com The first four correct answers and the most articulate answer within seven days will be awarded flipkart evouchers worth Rs. 250. The results and the answers will be published on >www.money-wizards.com .
About Money-Wizards : A company in financial literacy and money education. They conduct workshops and after school classes on money education for school children. If you want Money Wizards programmes in your school or neighbourhood, write to Info@Money-Wizards.com
