When my brother wanted to learn a trade, he first mentioned to mom that he was thinking about learning to operate heavy equipment for the military.
She suggested he begin by learning how to operate small equipment.
So he put together a small business where he operates small equipment.
His ideas have paid off well.
"Are work clothes deductible?" "If they aren't clothes you wear during your regular events.
" Mom responded absently, continuing to calculate a client's tax results.
"I have the receipts right here.
" My brother's job required working out in the bitter cold, running small equipment to clean up after a massive snow storm.
He spread "ice melt" on sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots, and cleared them after snow storms rushed our small town.
"Wait, hold on, don't lay those on my desk.
" Mom turned away from the client's documents long enough to gather up the paper work my brother would need to keep records on his business.
"You'll need to write down all your incomes in this line along with the name of the customer, and your deductions here.
" She wrote down a few categories at the top of the page, and gave him the ledger to keep his records.
"I'm keeping records?" I walked away from the conversation thinking about all the important opportunities I have every day for educating myself toward work, life, and getting ready for college.
What makes up an educational opportunity? 1.
Weather - we can either learn about how it happens, by studying the weather patterns and information that gives weathermen their information, or we can study what happens as a result of weather.
For instance: Snow Clean up and removal.
If we put together a small business and take care of our equipment, manage our own finances, and learn how to operate a business, we've learned way more than what causes the weather.
We've learned about survival and business operation.
2.
Personal Interests - my brother's interest in heavy equipment led to him learning to operate smaller equipment and his ability gave him a job when the snow hit.
He knew how to operate the equipment and remove the snow.
That created a job and actually a business he could manage.
3.
Managing our Lives - along with knowing how to operate equipment, the need to manage his business gave him another opportunity to learn.
He had to learn how to manage his money.
His ability to manage his money not only teaches him how to manage finances, but also how much it actually costs to go to camp.
4.
Current Events - when political figures come to our community, we often go hear them speak and then review their comments.
By comparing what they say to historical evidence, we learn how history repeats itself and how we can make a difference in our country through political action.
5.
Construction, Cooking, & Laundry - these offer us the ability to learn about measures, numbers, and angles or amounts.
You might think it isn't real information, but it is.
When I fold a towel, I first fold it in half, then in half again - that makes it one fourth the original size.
I then fold it in thirds.
That makes the towel one-twelfth its original size.
I understand fractions.
I also understand other figures, for the same reasons.
When I measure, I can figure square footage, circumference, and total density of a project.
Are you looking for an Educational Opportunity?