I got my first work permit at age 14 1/2 that was the earliest one could work. I went to work part time at Kresges Five & Dime in the candy department. Can't remember what I was making but am sure it wasn't much. Every week the store manager gave me a huge bag of chocolates to take home for free, they only kept the chocolate so long before throwing it out. I coinsidered that a real perk at the time. Things were so much simpler then weren't they?