Two teenaged boys approached my husband and me, asking if they could shovel our driveway. We asked for a price, and they said, “We’re just bored; we’ll do it for free.” We paid them anyway.
My brother and I charged by how long the sidewalk and driveway were. If they wanted a full job it would cost more. Funny now I don’t remember what we charged. Usually a buck or two I guess. This would be the late 60’s.
The minimum wage in 1966 was $1.25/hr or 62.5 cents per half hour. Assume he took half hour to shovel it, he was making 12.5 cents or 20% less than minimum wage.
The federal minimum wage today is $7.25/hr or $3.625 per half hour.
20% less would 72.5 cents less than minimum wage.
So that is like doing it for $3.625 – 0.725 = $2.90 today.
My post vanished, so I’ll say it again. Back in the days when this strip first came out, a kid came and offered to mow our lawn—for 50 bucks. Using our mower, of course. At that time my dad made about 80 dollars a week, with which to feed a family of 5. Kid was forever after known as “The 50 Dollar Idiot.”
The#1BoiseStateFan almost 12 years ago
Nice take, Charlie, should be enough for a Pay Day.
Linux0s almost 12 years ago
Actually that was some tremendous haggling.
paha_siga almost 12 years ago
Does he even have an idea what $85 means, or is it all just words for him?
GROG Premium Member almost 12 years ago
$85? You can buy a lot of kites for $85, CB.
Wren Fahel almost 12 years ago
Two teenaged boys approached my husband and me, asking if they could shovel our driveway. We asked for a price, and they said, “We’re just bored; we’ll do it for free.” We paid them anyway.
rockstarjeo almost 12 years ago
another day another cents
Darryl Heine almost 12 years ago
So much for making $85 for shoveling sidewalks even in 1966, Charlie Brown.
alondra almost 12 years ago
My brother and I charged by how long the sidewalk and driveway were. If they wanted a full job it would cost more. Funny now I don’t remember what we charged. Usually a buck or two I guess. This would be the late 60’s.
Auntie Socialist almost 12 years ago
A very good price in those days, when we had “dimestores” instead of “dollar stores” and “Five Below”.
EricPost almost 12 years ago
The minimum wage in 1966 was $1.25/hr or 62.5 cents per half hour. Assume he took half hour to shovel it, he was making 12.5 cents or 20% less than minimum wage.
The federal minimum wage today is $7.25/hr or $3.625 per half hour.
20% less would 72.5 cents less than minimum wage.
So that is like doing it for $3.625 – 0.725 = $2.90 today.
Assuming he does it in one half hour.
krisjackson01 almost 12 years ago
Yeah, that’s about what I used to get in those days. I remember looking at my old man’s pay envelope about 1960. He got $79 that week.
summerdog86 almost 12 years ago
In the 50’s I shoveled for 25 cents.
orinoco womble almost 12 years ago
My post vanished, so I’ll say it again. Back in the days when this strip first came out, a kid came and offered to mow our lawn—for 50 bucks. Using our mower, of course. At that time my dad made about 80 dollars a week, with which to feed a family of 5. Kid was forever after known as “The 50 Dollar Idiot.”
EeyoreBlue almost 12 years ago
yepper – thats about right! .75 cents for a sidewalk and a buck for driveway – if you were lucky $1.50 for both.
octagon almost 12 years ago
That’s a ploy when desperate for a paying job. Quote an outrageously high price and then take whatever is offered.
AmyGrantfan51774 almost 12 years ago
Charlie Brown sure was being generous huh when he offered to shovel the sidewalk for $85.00?!!!!!