My First Earning...
I am not used to writing prompts, but there are some topics I wouldn't just be able to take my mind away from because of the unforgettable experience I had with them, they are good at bringing back things from the good old days.
It took me a while before I could search through my past to pick out my first earnings because this guy has been a hustler from childhood, I just bless God because many of us do not look like what we have been through in life. If SAPA had a conscience, it shouldn't even approach me again in life.
I use to be a child that is available to everyone in my environment and it made me very popular in the neighborhood. I wasn't useless, I am always eager to help and I still do my best to help people today.
I usually run errands, help people with putting on generators, and fetch water for free because we usually get free water on Saturdays from a Landlord so I usually fetch for the people in my compound and neighbors who I know are very busy at work on weekends. It was fun and I usually get tips but it wasn't for the tip though.
These things I help people with led to my first earnings, I was in SS1 then. I was fetching water on that fateful day when a rich woman in the neighborhood approached me that she needed someone to help her wash her car because she was going out and there was no time to drive to the car wash.
She had grown-up girls and I was wondering why they couldn't just wash it for her, I told her I am not sure if someone was doing such a job in the area and continued with my work. I went to fetch water again and saw that she was still there looking worried, I ask if I can help and she said okay.
She asked how much but I told her not to worry, she said no and that she was going to pay me so I said she should just give me anything she likes. I told her to bring the car outside but she said I will need to wash it in her compound so I finished fetching water and went there.
They had three cars so she pointed to the Pathfinder jeep and gave me the things I needed. I asked for a brush and packer, I started with brushing and cleaning the jeep interior, and washed the rubber foot mat, tires, and body. It took me longer than I expected and my body was aching immediately.
She was surprised at how clean the car was and asked if I have done it before and my answer was no. She said I washed it very well, she gave me two cans of flavored water and that was the first time I drank it. A pet drink, snacks, and 800 naira. I felt the money was too much, it shouldn't be more than 300-500 but she said she gave me that because I did a good job.
I went home and was scared to tell my mom because she would be angry I did something that stressful but I didn't have a choice but to tell her because it would be a big issue if she discovers by herself. I told her when she returned and handed over the money to her, she told me to get a piggy bank and start saving for the phone I have been dreaming about.
She wasn't angry and I became the woman's regular car washer for some time, she helped me a lot in return. I was able to save up for my java phone then and even supported my mom from the earnings.
The desire to earn more money came into my mind, it was really cool earning small tips. I started doing side hustles since I got exposed to earning my own money, one of which was gathering damaged phones in the neighborhood and getting paid for repairing them. I wasn't an engineer but I knew a close one and he gives me some percentage, I was happy to support my mom.
I got into trouble for a phone which made me lose some of my savings and stopped the stuff but everything taught me to be strong and independent.
My first earning was 5k, it was my first salary. The day i was paid the money, i felt like i was floating in the air. I was so happy and proud of myself that this particular money, i worked for it.