WhiteBear (Poland)

As a child I "managed" recyclable waste - paper, bottles that I collected from my family and neighbors. I could sell it, and have enough pocket money for my small needs.

At about 12 years old, I "discovered" that some items can be bought cheaply in a big package, and then sold at a higher price to other children at school. It was mostly some "fashionable garmet add-ons like chromed studs, etc.

At this age I was also allowed by my parents and neighbors to take some flowers from their gardens, and sell them. It was a little boring, but as every garden had some spare flowers - no purchasing costs (despite smile and ask).

At about age 15 I was making "small help" for my not talented or just "having too much money" friends at school. Not a big deal. Just some drawings, paintings and other "artistic" attempts. They have better grades; I had fun and some money. Little cheating, sure. But "art classes" never were very important and didn't affect "final scores".

While traveling with a backpack and tent around Poland (at the ages of 15-18), I sometimes helped "locals" with some easy (heavy but not complicated) work, like chopping wood, moving things from one place to the other, and so on.

For example, when working two hours a day I usually earned enough for food for the next two or three days. Spend one day working - I could then spend a night in a hostel (to do laundry and decent bath) and had a "food money reserve" for the next few days.

This way I didn't had to ask my parents for a lot of money, and still have a good time on holiday.

First "normal" work I began just after high school - this was the way to have money for studies.

Molly Clegg, who is just 18, has used her university savings fund to buy the jewellery store, where she has been working at weekends for the past year, October 17, 2013. [Photo/IC]