Cashing In On Summer

Mon., June 17, 1996

Lynn Gibson Correspondent

Kids who are experts at making money during the summer know it takes energy and innovation to stand out from the other applicants and land the job.

“Get on the phone, knock on doors, put up posters, and let the world know you’re ready to sweat,” write the editors at Zillions: for Kids from Consumer Reports magazine in their June issue on summer employment.

Zillions is published bimonthly, providing teens and preteens with information and advice on goods, services and finances so they can earn, invest and spend money wisely. Here are a few more tips from Zillions for cashing in on summer:

Make a deal. Pass out coupons or fliers offering customers reduced rates: $3 off their first lawn-mowing, $1 off their first car wash, and so on.

Give away. Customers may hire you if you offer them a sample of your work for free. Clean one window gratis and they may hire you to do the rest; or agree to give an hour of free baby-sitting during your first job.

Be SENSE-sational. Market yourself with flair! Put balloons on your lemonade stand and glitter on your fliers. First impressions matter.

Courtesy counts. Smile, be polite and shake hands. Look them in the eye which establishes trust immediately. And use the magic words “please” and “thank you.”

Smell swell. Comb and scrub, because taking care of yourself communicates that you will take pride and ownership in your work as well.

Show initiative. A can-do attitude demonstrates how much you want the job. Take a baby-sitting course. Speak up about your previous job experience. Report for work equipped with the necessary tools. Go the extra mile and chances are, you’ll be called back a second time.

For a one-year subscription to Zillions ($16 for six issues) send your name, address and check payable to: Zillions, P.O. Box 54861, Boulder, CO 80322-4861.

Stuttering referral service: , Here is a resource helpful to more than 3 million Americans affected by stuttering.

Stuttering Foundation of America is a non-profit organization which provides a nationwide referral listing for assistance, and information on stuttering written by leading authorities in the field of speech and language pathology.

For more information, write to: Stuttering Foundation of America, P.O. Box 11749, Memphis, TN 38111-0749; or call (800) 992-9392.

Support for single parents:

The Single Parent Outreach Connection is a local organization providing information, resource referral, advocacy and outreach to single parents in our community.

SPOC offers individualized programs to single parents who are receiving public assistance.

The organization’s goal is to prepare people to work and become financially independent, says Sima Thorpe, president of the board of directors.

Established in 1991, SPOC is located in the Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook in Spokane.

For more information, call (509) 483-4478. , DataTimes MEMO: The Family Track is a weekly column of notes and information for families. Send items to Lynn Gibson, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax (509) 459-5098.

The Family Track is a weekly column of notes and information for families. Send items to Lynn Gibson, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax (509) 459-5098.

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