6 Financial Lessons Working in the Retail and Fast Food Industries

I've worked in retail, fast food, and technology. The interesting thing about working in retail is how big of a discount they give to employees. I recall working at American Eagle, where the discount they gave employees was 50%. When I worked at Victoria's Secret, the discount was anywhere from 30% to 50% as well.

My co-workers frequently leveraged the discount to buy stuff at super-discounted rates, but it's pointless when you're making around minimum wage. Why waste your money when you're barely getting any in the first place?

Lesson 1

Don't spend your paycheck on products from your employer. You're then working for free, and that's not cool.

What did I do with my paychecks? Save and invest.

Lesson 2

If you're not making top dollar in retail or fast food, don't spend much of your paycheck. And if you are making top dollar, still don't spend much of your paycheck.

Instead, focus on saving and investing and increasing your income.

Lesson 3

Live way below your means.

When I was working in retail, I thankfully didn't have too many bills because I was in high school and college.

Plenty of retail and fast food positions pay, but most don't. If you're in a position that doesn't pay lucratively, focus on living below your means, cutting your expenses, and not adding unnecessary expenses.

Lesson 4

If you don't want to work your way up in the fast food or retail businesses, start planning your exit.

There is not much room for growth in these positions unless you move into management, which means pay is likely to be low and stay low.

Lesson 5

Stay humble and learn.

I was still running my business and working higher-paying jobs while I was working in retail and fast food. I cleaned bathrooms, worked in the kitchen, did backstock, and did all the jobs nobody wanted to do, but it helped me learn humility. Moreover, it helped me always remember where I came from and maintain empathy for those in these service-oriented roles.

Lesson 6

Learn how to manage a smaller salary. You may not be earning the most, but you're still earning. If you can master managing this amount, you can master earning more.

While working these jobs, I earned minimum wage, but I was still saving and living within my means, which helped me learn how to be a good steward of small amounts. My habits carried over as my income increased.

Lesson 7

Use these jobs as fuel, not as your final destination.

Every shift I worked in retail and fast food reminded me why I was building something bigger. Those early morning stockroom shifts and late-night drive-thru closes weren't punishment — they were motivation. I watched people settle into roles they hated because they never created a plan to leave. Don't let comfort or complacency keep you stuck.

Lesson 8

Your job title doesn't define your net worth.

Some of the brokest people I've met had impressive titles, and some of the wealthiest started behind a register or a fryer. What separates them is what they did with their paychecks after clocking out. I treated every minimum-wage check like seed money — something small that could grow into something massive with the right discipline.

The job is temporary. The financial habits you build there are permanent.

Start now. The clock is ticking.

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Remember...investing is the EXIT.

This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered Financial or Legal Advice. Not all information will be accurate. Consult a financial professional before making any significant financial decisions.