Anonymous wrote:I think the difference is that it is a state of emergency where I am, and not a typical occurrence to have snow so deep that power is going out, the grocery stores were running out of food, roads are not passable, etc so the right thing to do in an "out of the norm" and possible emergent situation is to help the elderly without expecting payment.

If it was typical lawn mowing, getting mail, or things that are frequent and expected I would agree that a discounted rate would be appropriate, but in the case of a freak snowstorm it feels a bit predatory and opportunistic,
and therefore inappropriate to have your 12 year old out hustling an 85 year old lady for money for a safety issue such as slip/falls and the necessity of being able to get out of the house safely or allows others in safely.

Just my two cents and I realize the OP was not specifically asking about this situation.
Fwiw we called all of our elderly/widowed neighbors when my DH and teenage son walked to the store last night to see if anyone needed anything, and wouldn't think of trying to make money off a grocery delivery service. We have called every day and made sure their walks are shoveled (granted they are not driveways).
I would be mortified if my sons asked for money rather than just cleaning them off for a nice surprise when they look out the windows

Anonymous wrote:I live on a corner lot with lots of sidewalk and two driveways. I paid a group of guys $100. It was well worth it.

Anonymous wrote:Boy has this thread derailed. I came on to see how much teen DS should charge given the huge amounts of snow.

Our neighborhood is full of elderly, mostly retired military and it is evident they live on large retirements. They can certainly pay for the service and seem happy to see teens who want to earn some money. I see no reason kids should work so hard for free just because someone is old. Now if they truly can't afford it, then that's another story. I would expect them to offer a token amount or a hot drink or something. It's nice to repay with some gratitude on both sides.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1

Same people protesting charging the middle class seniors in their neighborhood for a service they can turn down likely voted to reduce federal and state spending on higher education so that teen boys don't have to shovel snow all day to make college even a possibility. No one forces you to purchase snow shoveling PERIOD, let alone from a pair of boys that you think are rude for trying to fund their educations. Just decline the discounted rate and wait for all the free assistance from the teen sons that all these DCUMers are raising right.

No one owes you an education after high school. You are either blessed with family who pays, take out loans or work your way through it. No one gave my husband anything and instead of begging and taking advantage of people, he joined the military and eventually got his degree through their tuition benefits. It was a lot of hard work on his part. Its sad we do not teach our kids to look after others, but instead take advantage of them in a desperate time. Teach your boys to be men and be a part of the community. If my young child can pitch in and help, so you teen boys who are physically able. If you cannot tell your son (or daughter) to help your 80 year old neighbor, there is something wrong with you, your parenting or your child (and at that age they should know without being told).

You honestly sound like a mooch who thinks people have kids just to be their little servants. Btw when you talk about kids working through college, it's huge snow storms like this that count as that type of work.

Anonymous wrote:

Jesus, get a grip. No one owes you anything. Successful people aI know are successful specifically because they are NOT moochers. Not that you would have any clue about being successful. I know that pisses you off.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1

Same people protesting charging the middle class seniors in their neighborhood for a service they can turn down likely voted to reduce federal and state spending on higher education so that teen boys don't have to shovel snow all day to make college even a possibility. No one forces you to purchase snow shoveling PERIOD, let alone from a pair of boys that you think are rude for trying to fund their educations. Just decline the discounted rate and wait for all the free assistance from the teen sons that all these DCUMers are raising right.

No one owes you an education after high school. You are either blessed with family who pays, take out loans or work your way through it. No one gave my husband anything and instead of begging and taking advantage of people, he joined the military and eventually got his degree through their tuition benefits. It was a lot of hard work on his part. Its sad we do not teach our kids to look after others, but instead take advantage of them in a desperate time. Teach your boys to be men and be a part of the community. If my young child can pitch in and help, so you teen boys who are physically able. If you cannot tell your son (or daughter) to help your 80 year old neighbor, there is something wrong with you, your parenting or your child (and at that age they should know without being told).