Remember when summer meant more than just endless scrolling through social media? Back in the day, those long, hot months were our ticket to freedom – and the cash we needed to fuel our teenage dreams. Whether it was saving up for the latest Beatles album, a shiny new Schwinn bicycle, or just enough pocket money for burgers and milkshakes at the local drive-in, we were willing to work for it.
1. Soda Jerk at the Local Five-and-Dime
Nothing beat the smell of vanilla and cherry syrup mixing in the air as you worked behind the soda fountain counter. You’d spend your days crafting perfect ice cream sundaes and malts for kids your own age, all while sporting that crisp white paper hat that somehow made you feel like a real professional. The best part wasn’t even the hourly wage – it was the free sodas and the occasional “oops” ice cream cone that didn’t quite make it to the customer.
Those were the days when a nickel could still buy you a Coke, and you felt like the king of the world making fifty cents an hour. You’d practice your moves flipping burgers on the grill during slow afternoons, dreaming of impressing that cute girl from chemistry class who sometimes came in for a cherry phosphate. By the end of summer, you had enough saved up for that new Ventures album and maybe even a date to the drive-in movies.
2. Paperboy (or Papergirl) on the Morning Route
The alarm clock would buzz at 5 AM, but somehow dragging yourself out of bed felt worth it when you thought about that new 10-speed Huffy waiting in the bike shop window. You’d load up your canvas bag with the morning edition and pedal through the neighborhood, tossing papers onto porches with the precision of a major league pitcher. Rain or shine, you were out there – and the neighbors always seemed to appreciate that dedication with generous Christmas tips.
Learning every dog’s name and temperament in a six-block radius became essential survival skills, right alongside perfecting your porch-landing technique. Mrs. Henderson always had fresh cookies waiting if you rang the bell, and Mr. Patterson would slip you an extra quarter when the Phillies won the night before. Those early morning rides through the quiet streets, with nothing but the sound of your bike chain and the distant hum of milk trucks, gave you a sense of independence that no allowance could ever provide.
3. Lifeguard at the Community Pool
Perched high on that white wooden chair, you weren’t just watching for drowning swimmers – you were the undisputed king or queen of summer cool. The whistle around your neck felt like a badge of honor, and that bronze tan you developed made you feel like a movie star stepping off the screen of “Beach Blanket Bingo.” Plus, there was something pretty sweet about getting paid to work on your suntan while keeping an eye on the neighborhood kids.
Between the occasional “walk, don’t run” whistle blast and applying zinc oxide to your nose, you’d save every penny for that coveted surf album or maybe a new pair of Converse sneakers. The other lifeguards became your summer family, and you’d spend lunch breaks sharing stories and planning what records you’d buy with your next paycheck. Those long August afternoons, with the smell of chlorine and sunscreen in the air, taught you responsibility while funding your growing collection of 45s.
4. Ice Cream Truck Assistant
Riding shotgun in the Good Humor truck was like being part of a traveling carnival that brought joy to every street corner. You’d help load the freezer in the morning, counting out Popsicles and Drumsticks while that familiar jingle played in your head like a catchy commercial. The driver, usually a friendly guy named Eddie or Tony, would teach you the tricks of the trade – which neighborhoods tipped best and how to make change quickly when twenty kids surrounded the truck at once.
Your job was to hand out the treats and keep track of inventory, but the real perk was watching kids’ faces light up when they heard that magical melody approaching. You’d recognize the regulars – little Tommy who always wanted a Rocket Pop, or the Johnson twins who shared a single ice cream sandwich every Tuesday. By summer’s end, you had enough saved for that new transistor radio you’d been eyeing, plus the satisfaction of knowing you’d helped make a lot of hot afternoons a little sweeter.
5. Grocery Store Bag Boy
The automatic doors of the local A&P or Piggly Wiggly became your second home as you learned the art of perfect grocery bagging. Paper or plastic wasn’t even a question back then – everything went into those sturdy brown paper bags, and you took pride in making sure the bread never got squished under the canned goods. Pushing carts through the parking lot and helping little old ladies load their groceries became second nature, and the tips weren’t too shabby either.
You’d memorize the prices of everything from Campbell’s soup to Wonder Bread, and the checkout girls would always slip you a stick of gum or a piece of penny candy when the manager wasn’t looking. The camaraderie with your fellow bag boys was real – you’d compete to see who could stack cans the fastest or who could carry the most bags in one trip. Those quarters and dollar bills added up quickly, funding everything from new tennis shoes to the latest Monkees single you’d been dying to own.
6. Caddy at the Country Club
Walking eighteen holes under the summer sun while carrying someone else’s golf clubs might sound like work, but the tips from successful businessmen made it feel like striking gold. You’d learn to read the greens, understand the difference between a 7-iron and a pitching wedge, and master the art of staying quiet during crucial putts. The country club world felt like a glimpse into adulthood, complete with perfectly manicured lawns and the distant sound of tennis balls being served.
Mr. Richardson, the club president, always requested you specifically and would slip you a five-dollar bill after a good round – more than most kids made in a week. You’d listen to stories about business deals and vacation plans while you cleaned clubs and replaced divots, dreaming of the day you might be the one playing instead of watching. By Labor Day, you had enough saved for that new bike and maybe even a few albums to soundtrack your rides around the neighborhood show-off circuit.
7. Movie Theater Usher
Those Saturday matinees weren’t going to run themselves, and you were proud to be part of the magic that brought “The Sound of Music” or “Bonnie and Clyde” to the big screen. Armed with your flashlight and a sharp uniform, you’d guide couples to their seats and make sure nobody snuck in without paying. The best part was catching glimpses of the movies between seating duties and getting to know all the latest Hollywood gossip from the projectionist upstairs.
Free popcorn and sodas were just the beginning – you also got to see every movie for free, which meant you were always the first in your friend group to know whether the latest James Bond flick was worth the admission price. The Saturday night crowd was always the liveliest, and you’d watch young couples on dates, families with kids, and groups of teenagers just like yourself enjoying their weekend entertainment. Your paycheck might have been modest, but the combination of free movies and spending money made it feel like you’d hit the jackpot.
8. Gas Station Attendant
“Fill ‘er up, check the oil?” became your standard greeting as cars pulled up to the full-service pumps of the local Texaco or Shell station. You’d wash windshields until they sparkled, check tire pressure, and even clean the headlights – customer service that made every driver feel like royalty. The smell of gasoline and motor oil became as familiar as your mother’s perfume, and you took pride in knowing every car model that rolled onto the lot.
Learning to change oil and fix flat tires from Old Pete, the head mechanic, felt like gaining entry into some secret adult knowledge club. You’d save bottle caps and compete with the other attendants to see who could collect the most different brands, while your earnings slowly accumulated toward that new guitar or set of drums you’d been coveting. Those long summer days spent under car hoods and behind cash registers taught you the value of honest work and the satisfaction of a job well done.
9. Lawn Mowing Entrepreneur
With nothing but a push mower and an entrepreneurial spirit, you’d canvas the neighborhood looking for overgrown lawns that needed your attention. Mrs. Peterson’s half-acre lot became your weekly goldmine, and you’d spend Saturday mornings pushing that heavy mower back and forth while dreaming of the records you’d buy with your earnings. The satisfaction of seeing perfect diagonal stripes across a freshly cut lawn made you feel like a landscape artist creating temporary masterpieces.
Your clientele grew through word of mouth – one satisfied customer would recommend you to their neighbor, and before you knew it, you had a regular route of lawns to maintain. You’d learn which houses had the friendliest dogs, where the sprinkler heads were hidden, and which customers always offered ice-cold lemonade after a job well done. By the end of summer, your arms were stronger, your bank account was healthier, and your record collection had grown substantially thanks to all those perfectly manicured suburban lawns.
10. Farm Hand for Local Orchards
When the peach and apple orchards needed extra hands during harvest season, you’d sign up for what felt like the most authentic summer job possible. Climbing ladders with canvas picking bags, you’d spend sunrise to sunset among the fruit trees, learning to spot the perfect ripeness and fill bushel baskets with care. The work was physical, but there was something deeply satisfying about being part of the process that would eventually stock grocery store shelves.
The other seasonal workers became your temporary family, sharing stories and songs to make the long days pass more quickly. You’d sneak the occasional perfect peach or apple (the foreman always pretended not to notice), and lunch breaks under the shade trees felt like scenes from a Norman Rockwell painting. Your sunburned shoulders and dirt-stained clothes were badges of honor, and the cash you earned felt more valuable because you’d literally worked from dawn to dusk to earn it.
11. Carnival or Fair Worker
When the county fair rolled into town, you’d sign up to work the games, rides, or food stands for what felt like the most exciting summer job imaginable. Whether you were running the ring toss game or helping operate the Tilt-A-Whirl, you were part of the traveling magic that transformed empty fields into wonderlands of lights and laughter. The carny life felt adventurous and slightly dangerous, exactly what every teenager craved during those long summer months.
You’d learn the tricks of the trade from seasoned fair workers who’d been traveling from town to town for decades, picking up stories and wisdom along with your daily wages. The smell of cotton candy and funnel cakes became your office atmosphere, and you’d watch families create memories while you earned money for your own adventures. Those temporary jobs taught you about different kinds of people and places, expanding your world view while filling your wallet with enough cash for that new stereo you’d been wanting.
12. Drive-In Movie Concession Stand Worker
The drive-in theater concession stand was command central for one of America’s favorite summer pastimes, and you were proud to be part of the magic. You’d prepare hundreds of hot dogs, pop endless containers of popcorn, and mix fountain drinks while the latest Hollywood blockbusters played on the giant outdoor screen. The intermission rush was intense, but the tips were good, and you got to catch glimpses of every movie between customer orders.
Working alongside other teenagers who understood the importance of earning your own spending money created lasting friendships and shared memories. You’d watch couples in convertibles, families with station wagons full of kids, and groups of friends sharing blankets under the stars, all while the distinctive smell of car exhaust mixed with movie theater snacks filled the night air. Your summer earnings from those busy weekend nights would fund your own dates to the drive-in, creating a perfect circle of teenage economics and entertainment.
Those summer jobs weren’t just about earning spending money – they were our first taste of independence, responsibility, and the satisfaction that comes from honest work. We learned to show up on time, treat customers with respect, and take pride in doing our best, even when the tasks seemed mundane. Looking back, those sweaty afternoons and early morning shifts taught us more about life than any classroom ever could, while funding the soundtrack and adventures that defined our youth. The records we bought, the bikes we rode, and the burgers we shared with friends were made sweeter by knowing we’d earned every penny ourselves.
This story 12 Summer Jobs We Took Just to Buy Records, Bikes, and Burgers was first published on Takes Me Back.
