Q. My son, who starts university in 2009, was planning
to work between now and January in a local shop to fund his gap year. This is what his older brothers both did but this year no one seems to be taking anyone on. My son is charming and bright and has a driving licence. Any suggestions Mary?
G.C., Alton, Hants A. Since the boy has a driving licence, why does he not do ‘booze cruises’ or even Lidl runs? He could solicit commissions from parents of his local friends through the medium of Facebook. Lidl is becoming extremely fashionable at the moment — there are a reasonable number of acceptable products there, among them cloudy apple juice and pet food, at bargain rates. It would very much make sense for one person’s vehicle to do group purchasing. Your son could claim a commission of, say, £10 per run per client. Once petrol and time is taken into account, to say nothing of the joy of their sparing themselves the experience of shopping at Lidl, most parents will be pleased to pay out.
If you have a problem write to Dear Mary, c/o The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP.
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