What would you do?

[DeStiN3d]

Well, let me start off by saying I've held a job since the age of fifteen, so I know the value of a dollar then some. I'm in a very big dilemma at the moment and I need some opinions. My parents both just started different jobs that require them to be at work from between 2-3PM until about 10PM. Since I'm only sixteen, the hours I can work have always been strict, but with both of my parents working these hours it's become Mission Impossible to get to work and I've had to take the past week off completely to re-evaluate the situation.

My work is about 3-5 miles away from my house, and I have the option to work on the weekends ( Saturday and Sunday ) from about 11AM - to whenever, but I'd have to dust of the old bicycle. So, my question for you out there is:

Should I suck it up and ride my bike to my job to make the cash ( which at the most would be $60 a week, which is shit anyway ) or should I take an offer I was given by my parents. My parents offered me this: thoroughly clean my house; dishes, vacuum, sweep, cleaning windows, cleaning counters, changing pets box, feeding + walking dogs, and every other domestic chore you can think of for $30 a week. It's basically chores on crack. =P

I'm leaning towards the doped up chores.

[Marx0r]

It depends on what kind of work your current job entails.

[DeStiN3d]

I'm young, so I took anything I can get. I work at Publix, which is a Florida and Georgia exclusive ( I think ) supermarket. I'm a bagger. =O

[Marx0r]

Dude, a bagger is such a better gig than chores. It'll take you 30 minutes tops to get to work each day, with an mp3 player the ride will go by easily. Factor in you get twice the money, it's a clear decision.

[DeStiN3d]

Ha, that'd be sweet IF I had an MP3 player. =/

[custom]

Bike it or get a car

[ThirdeYe]

Find an early 90's Honda Civic VX or a CRX HF and just commute to your work. Doesn't need to be anything fancy, and both should give you over 40mpg and be easy on your wallet. You live in an area that favors metal as well, whereas here in Michigan we have to worry about rust on used cars. If you can't afford a car/gas/insurance, etc., then just ride a bike, it's good exercise anyways :)

[Vogey77]

Do you enjoy your job? If you have fun doing it there is no reason to stop even if the commute may be a pain in the ass.

[GalrenCreptus]

Keep the job (looks better in the long run) AND do the chores for the money. While your free time will suffer in the mean time you'll be able to save up money for a car that much quicker which'll give you more freedom/ability to get a better paying job.

[Steed]

Just take the bike, it won't take that long to get there anyways. Plus its double the money, so that's always good.

[Otisbum]

I'm young, so I took anything I can get. I work at Publix, which is a Florida and Georgia exclusive ( I think ) supermarket. I'm a bagger. =O They're in SC too. ;)

I'd say take your bike. Not only will you get twice the pay, you'll get some decent exercise.
Or, if you know someone who works with you, see if you can't just carpool and help pay for some of the gas in exchange. Either way, $60 > 0.

[Vista]

Keep the job. I am guessing there is a bus or something like that to get there. If not get a ike and a CD player or something. Bagging is way easier then doing all of those chores.

[crazy lizarrrd]

Keep the job (looks better in the long run) AND do the chores for the money. While your free time will suffer in the mean time you'll be able to save up money for a car that much quicker which'll give you more freedom/ability to get a better paying job.

I agree with you!

[zdarko43]

Go with the legit job. Then you have a reason not to clean your parents mess.

Plus, think about your future as a whole... When your next employer at your next interview says
"Why did you take off of work for so long?" (Why is there such a large gap in your employment history?)
and you reply
"Well, I was cleaning my parents house...."

Suck it up and ride the bike, and keep your weeknights available to relax... Besides, take pride in your work, do well, and then you have a good solid employment reference when you're ready to move on to bigger and better things.


~OR~

One thing you may consider is keeping your job AND taking half of the chores from your parents so you can still make a little side-cash as well.

Just an idea. :)

[Asian47]

If you like baggin groceries for a living, then keep the job.

But another choice is to see if there any jobs closer to home that give a decent amount of money. You never know what you'll find. ;)

And another thing, Publix has the best Key Lime Pie. :p

[Minty]

3 miles??

Know this might be swearing in America, but walk!! At least cycle - its like 15 minutes

[Xterm1n8or]

Keep the job! It will only take like 10 minutes to ride 3 miles at a steady 18 mph speed. You could get there much quicker, and riding a bike to work is a lot more fun than just doing chores.

If you are stuck in your house doing chores then you will not be having fun with your mates etc which you will when you are at work. I would keep the job! And feel good that you are doing your bit for the environment by riding a bike ;). Reap the benefits!

[soccerplaya13cj]

Publix is alabama also. I would do the bagging,ot only is it more money, way way easier work, but it's also exercise.

[Matrarch]

I would definitely say stick with the job. The biking really won't take you that long. :) Besides, it's better for you in the long run to keep the job in terms of references and all that other stuff you 16 year olds don't think about. ;)

And hey, as noted above, if you can do the chores too, that's an extra bonus!

[zdarko43]

3 miles??

Know this might be swearing in America, but walk!! At least cycle - its like 15 minutes

yeah, I didn't really think about it until now but I used to run 3.2miles (5k race) in an average of 14mins. (of course this was about 5 years ago)

:P

but realistic terms, an average person at an average pace walks about 5-6MPH, so thats equal to roughly 10-12 minutes a mile walking.

So it would only take 30 minutes to walk, and like he said, 15 minutes to cycle. (Probably less if you bust your ass on the bicycle, probably could get there in under 10 minutes I bet.)

being in FL/GA then you don't have much weather to worry about, only some rain every now and again. but NO SNOW.

so stick with the job man. :)

[Frizzed]

Keep the job (looks better in the long run) AND do the chores for the money. While your free time will suffer in the mean time you'll be able to save up money for a car that much quicker which'll give you more freedom/ability to get a better paying job.


I agree, keep the job and just ride to work, then do some chores aswell to make a little extra cash. That way you get the best of both worlds. ;)

[Fonkey Monkey]

dude 3 miles is nothing.you would walk that in like 45 minutes or bike it in like 20.
but personally i would do both, having the maximum amount of cash is always best in my eyes;). but maybe thats just me.

[antnie]

The bbike looks like it needs a ride.

[PerpetualHeaven]

Find an early 90's Honda Civic VX or a CRX HF and just commute to your work. Doesn't need to be anything fancy, and both should give you over 40mpg and be easy on your wallet. You live in an area that favors metal as well, whereas here in Michigan we have to worry about rust on used cars. If you can't afford a car/gas/insurance, etc., then just ride a bike, it's good exercise anyways :)

A car is a horrible choice. He would only work 2 days a week. Anyways, dust off the bike. You'll get some exercise and you get to make more money.

Also, you made yourself sound so old because you said you've held a job since fifteen. Almost thought you were 20+.

[RogueVasion]

Dude, a bagger is such a better gig than chores. It'll take you 30 minutes tops to get to work each day, with an mp3 player the ride will go by easily. Factor in you get twice the money, it's a clear decision.

I'm going to agree with Marx0r. Hell, If I knew at the end of my bike ride, I was going to a place where I was getting paid, I would dust off that bike and get going. Music is the great way to pass time; used to listen to it on the bus in High School.

Also, do the chores. If it guarantees extra money, but a loss in time, it's well worth it. Just stay positive and think of all that money you could and will own.