BUY A MILLION DOLLARS
By Greco Garcia

Excerpt from Chapter 1
LEARN TO EARN MONEY
A job is just an activity that you do to generate money. Greco Garcia

We earn money by what we call work, but I call this an activity. While I was growing up, I always had an activity to make money. I remember selling used comic books, mowing lawns, washing cars and selling newspapers on the street. I also took care of the plants for two families and worked as a lifeguard in the summer. While I was in high school, I played sports and had two jobs. One was drafting for a teacher at his house for $1.75 an hour. I really liked that job because of the experience, but learning to draw plans for homes that were actually built was even more exciting.

After a year of working with him, I went off on my own and started a drafting business. I was able to draw the plans for ten homes that were built in 1974 and are still standing today.

The other job I had in high school was working as a bellboy at a local hotel. I got the job after a friend of mine told me he was quitting. He said he was paid $1.35 an hour, plus tips. When I asked how much he was making in tips, I was totally surprised to hear he was making $30 to $40 a day. That was much more than most of my friends were making at that time. I didn't think twice about it—he recommended me and I immediately started working as a bellboy.

At that point, I learned a valuable lesson that has served me well over the years. I could have one activity; and at the same time, earn two or three incomes. I guess that was—and still is—one of the secrets of the rich. One activity that brings in two or three incomes! Today I realize how every job I had when I was young was important. With each, I always looked for new ways to earn money until I found something better. And I learned never to complain about the jobs that I had. I learned about earning money, how to account for it, save it, take care of it. And I learned about banks and interest.

Since I began working at an early age, I see the benefits when children start working early. I always ask parents what the right age is for their children to start to work. I get answers like, "15 years old," "at the age of 18" and "after they get out of school." There is really no one right answer, but I tell them, the earlier the better!

Remember, children do chores, but you don't pay them. Instead you get them things that they need, and some of you do it in the form of an allowance. However you look at it—children do everyday jobs or activities to get compensated by their parents. They do things for you when they really want something or want permission from you.

Then you say something like this—"If you mow the lawn, I will let you..." You see, they have to carry out an activity in order for you to give them something. They have to fulfill their responsibilities. I see this as work. I'd like to share some ideas of how to earn money, so that you can teach them to your children. In turn, these exercises can help you discover how to increase your own earning power.

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