Hello, my name is Kaira. I'm 15 years old and the richest kid in school. It's nice, my parents will get me almost anything, and I had never worried about it until we started talking about chores at lunch. My friends all did chores to earn allowance, and I tried to imagine what that was like. They probably hated it, but with the only responsibilities I ever had being taking showers and doing homework, the idea of chores seemed fun.

I wasn't about to do chores for nothing, though. There was a book I needed for my Engligh class that I would get. Sure, I could ask my parents for it, and I would have it, no problem. But I wanted to work for the book. To earn it. But all the chores my friends did were around the house. I wasn't going to start willingly doing chores in front of my parents when we had a cleaner come by every week. What could I do to earn money? More importantly, what was I able to do, with my experience? I liked to paint. And cook, not very well though. Hey, what about babysitting? I only needed $25. I could get that in one job! "Anyone need a babysitter?" I asked my friends.

I probably should have been specific. A paid babysitter. My friend Daranie thought I would do it for free, and I wasn't about to ask her parents to pay me when I was the richest kid in school. I arrived at her house to babysit her 4-year-old brother, Danny. One hour in, he was gone. I took my eyes off him for one second and he was out of the house. I chased him across the neighborhood. Who knew little kids were so fast? Oh, and when we got back, he threw up. The stuff was everywhere. Definitely not my day.

So what else could I try? I thought. I decided on walking around and seeing if anyone needed any help at their houses. Paid help, definitely. I tried mowing the grass. I couldn't push the manual mower. I tried raking the leaves. A half-full bag flew down the street and the rest of the unbagged leaves flew everywhere. Someone needed help painting. I spilled half a bucket. Oops. But they had extra. I tried many things, but ended up with only $10. Luckily, I had a long time before I needed the book.

The next day, my only option was to ask my parents for some chores. They cancelled the cleaner for that week, and I got to do everything. The dishes, the sweeping and mopping, the toilets, even the unneeded dusting (I had strict parents). I made them pay me the normal amount for doing chores. How much did I end up with? $46 dollars and, surprisingly, proud parents. Huh. I bought the book, feeling very proud of myself. Oh, and one more thing: I hope I never do chores again.