Risin' & Grindin'

"You never give us money, you just always give us jobs!", one young cousin recently commented.
Everything from maintaining lawns, learning construction skills, painting addresses on curbs to decorating people's homes for Christmas.
I'm not cheap, but I see no need for young and able bodied boys to sit on a couch and collect money just because I happen to have a bit.

Today was the first day of these boys seeing a year-long investment pay off.
Last year, the day after Christmas, we spent some of their Christmas money on lights, extension cords, replacement lights and fuses, timers, and even a few lawn decorations.
Last year, the day after Christmas, these boys saw no point in spending their money on something other than the new Jordans.
Last year, the day after Christmas, these boys were pissed.

Today, that all changed.
Today, these boys collected their first deposits and pay checks for the installation of Christmas lights.
Today, these boys made enough money to recover the costs for their supplies (Bought at up to a 90% discount).
Today, these boys paid their friends enough to help them and still walk away with much more money than they started with.
(This is important because just last week a few kids from their old block were arrested for armed robbery, and another for GTA.)
Today, these boys still own their supplies (Unless the homeowner decides to buy them at full retail prices - with a little added for delivery fees.) and began to build a customer base.
Today. these boys are not as pissed (But a little more cold and tired.).
Today (And probably for the rest of the next week.) these boys got paid!