Earning money for fencing

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

As a youth fencer, my parents support a good deal of my expenses, but since money doesnt grow on trees, I don't always get the blade's or shoes or uniforms that I want. Not suprising. So what all can a youth fencer do to earn money to buy fencing stuff? I already do armoring work, but my clients are very um.... stingy, even though they couldnt fix themselves out of a paper bag. I'd like to make money coaching, but currently I'm a "free" coach, and they are not really the "paying" type. Any idea's would be appreciated.

[prototoast]

As a youth fencer, my parents support a good deal of my expenses, but since money doesnt grow on trees, I don't always get the blade's or shoes or uniforms that I want. Not suprising. So what all can a youth fencer do to earn money to buy fencing stuff? I already do armoring work, but my clients are very um.... stingy, even though they couldnt fix themselves out of a paper bag. I'd like to make money coaching, but currently I'm a "free" coach, and they are not really the "paying" type. Any idea's would be appreciated.

Um... get a job.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Um... get a job.

hahaha..... I cant be legally employed

[fixxmyweapon]

if you arn't a certain age, getting an actual job is a bit rough. until you can work, you can do what most teenagers do; babysit. see who your mum knows or post flyers at your club. i know it's not the most ideal but it makes money. also, most groccery stores hire around the age of 15/16 as bagging people. you can also ask your parents, depending on what they do, if they need office work done like invoices or basic web design stuff. have them ask their friends as well.

[germanguy]

.....

[counter riposte]

Agreed.

Depending on the division, you can earn anywhere from free entry to an event, such as qualifiers or opens, to $135 per event.

Start by getting your national directors rating by finding out the FOC closest to your division and signing up to take a referee's class. The initial investment is $50, but if you can pass the examination and get your director's rating, it is well worth it.

If you're good, You will get paid to watch the sport you love from the best seat in the house.

[O_O #2]

you can do what i did... sell your body on the street. Im not sure what someone like you is worth, but on a good night I can make anywhere from 50 to a hundred bucks!

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Agreed.

Depending on the division, you can earn anywhere from free entry to an event, such as qualifiers or opens, to $135 per event.

Start by getting your national directors rating by finding out the FOC closest to your division and signing up to take a referee's class. The initial investment is $50, but if you can pass the examination and get your director's rating, it is well worth it.

If you're good, You will get paid to watch the sport you love from the best seat in the house.

nah, best seat in the house is behind a mask, doing the fencing yourself

[raymac]

heres some job ideas, maybe laws are different there but these places all hire 14/15+

Wendys
McDonalds (any fast food really)
Smittys, any place you can bus (collect dishes etc)
Home Hardware
AgPro
Any quiet business that needs help (libraries, computer cafes)

[AndrewH]

Doubtful Mickey D's or other fast food places would hire a 14 year old. I work at a large supermarket and the youngest we hire is 14, but they come with all kinds of restrictions. Can't handle cash, can't use knives/heavy machinery, can't work past 7 on school nights, can't work more than 3 hours a day, basically the only 14 year olds we hire are shelf stockers. But most employers, especially smaller ones, won't hire 14 year olds at all because of all the aforementioned restrictions. For the same wage they'd pay you, they can get someone older who can do more jobs and work more hours.

Best thing you can do now is babysit or direct, USFA local events and high schools don't necesarily require a rating either, but you could find more work if you had one. At least with directing you'll enjoy the job, versus pretty much any other entry level job you'd get with a store.

[mlr2fence]

I agree with the suggestions to become a rated director. Your travel expenses to NACs/JOs/ S Nat will also be partially paid so you can maybe afford to go to more national tournaments.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I'll definitely try to get my directors liscense. Though, as a 14 year old MALE, trying to get a job babysitting, people give you funny looks.

[mrbiggs]

I'll definitely try to get my directors liscense. Though, as a 14 year old MALE, trying to get a job babysitting, people give you funny looks.

Yeah, I tried for 4 years to get a babysitting job. I got one.

[Montoya]

Mow lawns, shovel snow, rake leaves. If you know any adults who do large scale entertaining, them might hire you to help out at parties. (I've hired teens from my neighborhood/ fencing club for years to help cook, serve, clean - if I have someone with the right personality, they don't have to know what to do already - I can teach them.)

[Epee Scherma]

Sell everything you don't need. That's what I did once. In fact, I had sold too much...

Edit: (When I was 14. I have never been a bankrupt adult).

[Katman]

Yah. Mow lawns and shovel snow. Sell stuff you don't use and pinch your pennies.

[sabreur]

A couple of thoughts.

1. Develop a fair price list for your armoring services, give it to your customers, and make people pay you before you give them their stuff back.

2. Negotiate with your parents about doing work around the house on a regular basis in return for pay. You might end up cleaning all the toilets once a week, but with $25/week or so in your pocket.

MR

[UTEpee]

I made quite a tidy sum of money mowing lawns one summer(when i was 15 i think), on the order of 1500 bucks. not bad work for a kid thats in shape, and most people will be a little generous if they know that youre saving up for something serious, not going to go "spend it all on candy". the hours are good (mornings/afternoons on weekends) and it gets you out of the house. you may need to wait until the weather warms up a bit though

[Aziz]

My family owned a business so I have been employed (by employed I mean indentured servant) since I was 8 or 9. (No more, thank you Mr. Reagan)

But when I got older I worked on farms for a few summers the money was very good for a teenager and it will defiantly keep you (or get you) in shape. It is a lot of fun actually and if you don't take advantage and are mature about it there is usually not drinking age in the fields. Hope you have a weak nose and strong stomach if they have pigs though.

Hmmm. I would not tell them that you fence though, it is surprising how creative farmers can be with abuse and practical jokes.

[hpfencing]

We painted numbers on curbs one summer and made A LOT of money... SOmething like $250 a day

We charged $10 a curb and 25 only took about 3-4 hours a day. It was a great way to make a little extra cash.