Going rate for teen shoveling?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If an elderly neighbor is wealthy, in my experience, the would insist on paying the teens for the snow shoveling performed. No one wants to have to ask someone to do something for free. It's a source of pride to be able to pay for something.

In our neighborhood, the elderly people for whom my teenage son and his friends shoveled have way nicer houses than our house. They are retired, but I figured that they would pay, and they did.

Most of the elderly living in middle class neighborhoods offer to pay for snow shoveling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If an elderly neighbor is wealthy, in my experience, the would insist on paying the teens for the snow shoveling performed. No one wants to have to ask someone to do something for free. It's a source of pride to be able to pay for something.

In our neighborhood, the elderly people for whom my teenage son and his friends shoveled have way nicer houses than our house. They are retired, but I figured that they would pay, and they did.

Most of the elderly living in middle class neighborhoods offer to pay for snow shoveling.

+1 the elderly are the rich ones, they made out like bandits by paying almost nothing for their homes and hold the neighborhood hostage in their deteriorating shacks. They also complain about McMansions. They can pay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So wait... we can't charge the elderly for anything now? I get that they may be on fixed incomes, etc but if someone does a physically demanding job, they should be paid. PP who is saying that the elderly shouldn't pay because you want someone to help your grandparents, really? They should pay as well. Now, if I shovel walks and I charge $50 per, I would probably give elderly neighbors a *discount* and only charge like $20, but free? How is a kid (or adult) in a neighborhood of elderly people supposed to make a buck?

My MIL has less than $1000 a month (plus food stamps). I would be pissed if someone charged her when every dollar counts. We aren't interested in making a buck if it means taking away from someone else who needs it more. Karma - you do for them and hopefully someone will do for you. We always shovel out one neighbor. She'll leave cookies or something else but there is no way we'd take money or allow her to give our child money.

No one is required to have someone else shovel them out at a set price. Your MIL is welcome to wait around for someone to do it for free.

If you are a senior and can't afford to shovel yourself out and no one is offering, call 311. There are organizations that help out LOW INCOME seniors and disabled. Well-off seniors and disabled (and yes, our area has both those) should be willing to pay the market rate and be grateful if they are offered a discount, but not expect one.

You are teaching your kids great values. Hope someone treats you better than you treat people if you ever need help. Most of those organizations could not get to anyone who needs the help. Its sad that we live in a world where people have your attitude. Its not that hard to be decent and help. They shouldn't even have to ask.

I completely believe in KARMA.

I do NOT believe in charging seniors. How the heck do you know WHO is "well off" and who is not????

How is this *any better* than a guy who tries to scam people by shoveling, unsolicited; then naming his price, when he knocks on an unsuspecting residents door? BS.

While it is not the same thing ( and I am not trying to say it is) - it is NO BETTER.

Jesus, what's next? Stealing children's toys "because they have more than you"?

Get a grip.

Actually, I gave a nice kids item away on Freecycle and the idiot who picked it up also stole other kids items from in front of my house (the item I gave away was close to the curb-separated from everything else). Thankfully, the beyotch gave me her # when we were setting up pick up so I called and she admitted to taking the "extras" but added that she thought it was a free for all. She did not seem to want to return it to me so I had to drive all the way to her damn house in god awful traffic (right before blizzard). I was seething when I pulled up to her effin 1.5 million dollar McMansion. Why the fuck would someone living in a house like that steal from a child (who does not live in such a grand abode)? I just don't get it-entitled asshole!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If an elderly neighbor is wealthy, in my experience, the would insist on paying the teens for the snow shoveling performed. No one wants to have to ask someone to do something for free. It's a source of pride to be able to pay for something.

In our neighborhood, the elderly people for whom my teenage son and his friends shoveled have way nicer houses than our house. They are retired, but I figured that they would pay, and they did.

Most of the elderly living in middle class neighborhoods offer to pay for snow shoveling.

+1 the elderly are the rich ones, they made out like bandits by paying almost nothing for their homes and hold the neighborhood hostage in their deteriorating shacks. They also complain about McMansions. They can pay

+ 1 billion. Love this post, so true.

[Anonymous]

We paid $100 for 2 latino men to shovel out our driveway and 2 cars parked on the street. Then, the street was plowed and i paid another $80 for 2 other latino men to shovel out the 4 ft frozen wall of snow blocking the driveway and 2 cars. I might have been ripped off but anyone going door to door with a shovel needs the money more than I do. I did not ask about the legal residence status.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If an elderly neighbor is wealthy, in my experience, the would insist on paying the teens for the snow shoveling performed. No one wants to have to ask someone to do something for free. It's a source of pride to be able to pay for something.

In our neighborhood, the elderly people for whom my teenage son and his friends shoveled have way nicer houses than our house. They are retired, but I figured that they would pay, and they did.

Most of the elderly living in middle class neighborhoods offer to pay for snow shoveling.

+1 the elderly are the rich ones, they made out like bandits by paying almost nothing for their homes and hold the neighborhood hostage in their deteriorating shacks. They also complain about McMansions. They can pay

+ 1 billion. Love this post, so true.

Good grief. So they stay in a house that they bought years ago and raised their families in....that hardly makes them "rich". They are likely on a fixed income and are just grateful to have a nice roof over their heads. There are expenses to being old that young people do not have.

That said, most of them do offer to pay money and very much appreciate the help.