The strange decline of the paperboy

[handyman]

I enjoyed my paper round, I think I got £7-8 per week for it Mon-Sun. Sundays I used to be sat at the shop waiting for my papers to be done so I could blast through it and go fishing competitions early. On Saturdays I did it early as well then My dad took me to his work after that when he worked mornings and I washed cars then got walked 5 miles into Middlesbrough to get the bus back home. (probably picked up a copy of Amiga format 1st though).

I'd actively encourage my kids to do it as well when they get a bit older.

I never did a paper round but i did used to work in a butchers on a saturday from 07.30 till 17.00 and got 10 quid and choice of joint so better then getting up everyday at 05.30 .

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

I used to get chased by a kid with an axe on my paper round.

dam those running shoes

[bob_a_builder]

Deliverers of news were typically 14 or 15 and could earn £10 a week for 20-25 minutes work per day. But no more

Suprised at the low rates quoted in that article.

My son does a delivery, 1 day a week, of the local free paper , what he gets depend on the number of advertising inserts (which he has to insert) and of course number of houses.

His round of about 80 houses IIRC, earns him about £12-14 for one evening a week

[Vlad_Dracul]

Originally Posted by Incognitas

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7431224.stm





I think it is a shame..It's one way children can learn about earning money the hard way and be prepared for the harsh realities of working life.

I also wonder if parents don't want their children doing the job for fear of the big bad world out there..

Many of the kids around these days are either too fat or lazy or both to peel themselves out of bed at that time of the morning.

On another point,who would want to read a newspaper these days anyway? There are so many other media streams but alas most of them,particularly the papers and TV news,are ill informed and biased. Who'd pay for such rubbish to pollute their minds? In addition,papers generate too much waste. Read in a few minutes,lasts for years...

Always look on the bright side of life (whistle)

In the glass half full versus glass half empty debate, I envisage you taking the "I hate glasses" viewpoint.

[Chrysalis]

It all boils down to the same old thing thats linked with anti social children. We too soft on children and wrap them in cotton wool. Yes I remember doing paperounds I had 3 of them.

One in morning £3.30 a week
One after school £3.30 a week
Then the free papers which had variable pay depending if leaflets. Usually £4-8 per week.

I had pocket money as well which started out at less than £1 per week up to £5 per week when I was 15, stopped getting it at 16. I was however the only child in my family who managed £5 pocket money of my dad my 2 sisters got less.

I also often covered other paperboys when they on holiday etc. so some weeks I may have been doing 3 or 4 paperounds after school.

---------- Post added at 18:58 ---------- Previous post was at 18:56 ----------

Originally Posted by bob_a_builder

Suprised at the low rates quoted in that article.

My son does a delivery, 1 day a week, of the local free paper , what he gets depend on the number of advertising inserts (which he has to insert) and of course number of houses.

His round of about 80 houses IIRC, earns him about £12-14 for one evening a week

From my childhood experience the free paper rounds paid more.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

choice of joint

I'm surprised you managed to get up before midday if they were offering you free drugs

One of the kids a few doors up has a paper round. The other day I saw his Dad doing it.
I asked him why and he said oh, he's got the face on. I nearly wet myself laughing.