A Reddit user initiates a discussion thread, inviting fellow members to share stories from their school days about the “black market.” They’re interested in hearing about any clandestine or unauthorized activities within the school community. This intriguing topic often elicits a wide range of responses, as it taps into the nostalgia and curiosity of the community, sparking memories of covert exchanges and hidden economies that thrived within the school environment.
Candy Kings
On Reddit, a user recalls a unique school tale involving three boys who engaged in a year-long venture crafting and selling a distinctive blue candy. The candy became exceptionally popular, earning the moniker “Blue Stuff.” Remarkably, these entrepreneurial students generated a substantial income from their candy sales. This occurred years before the television series “Breaking Bad” aired. Hence, the candy’s nickname had no connection to the show, making it a genuinely original and successful venture.
Grass Clippings Seller
A user reminisces about their middle school days on Reddit, sharing an amusing anecdote. They recall an enterprising classmate who attempted to make a quick buck by selling grass clippings and passing them off as marijuana. This humorous and somewhat misguided attempt at a “black market” operation within the school community serves as a lighthearted reminder of the creativity and resourcefulness of young minds in their pursuit of profit, even if it involves grass of a different kind.
“At my school, they tried using oregano,” explained another.
World Cup Stickers
In a Reddit post, a user fondly recalls a school memory involving a fellow student who attempted to profit from the World Cup sticker craze. This particular student had the advantage of affluent parents who had purchased several boxes of these stickers. While the young entrepreneur had high hopes of making a fortune, his classmates had different plans. They would gather around to inspect his collection, using diversion tactics to distract him while discreetly nabbing the stickers they needed. The student had amassed so many stickers that he remained oblivious to the ongoing pilferage, resulting in a humorous schoolyard caper.
One Redditor says, “That’s why keeping track of your inventory is important for business, kids.”
The Sticks Operation
On Reddit, a user shares their entrepreneurial experience from their school days. They describe how they initiated a “Sticks” business, which eventually transitioned to selling blow pops. Their strategy involved using the $4 their mom gave them for lunch to purchase 40 Jolly Rancher sticks priced at 10 cents each from a nearby corner store. They then sold each stick for a quarter at school, establishing a regular customer base. As time passed and Costco arrived in their town, they adapted their business model by purchasing blow pops in bulk and selling them for 25 cents each, ultimately earning a decent amount of money through their ventures.
Another chimed in with, “Me and my cousin did that too. We would walk a couple of miles to a wholesale store selling us ten lbs of cheap mixed candies, walk back to our neighborhood, and sell them for a dime each.”
“Free” Kittens
In a Reddit post, a user fondly recollects a quirky incident from their school days involving a fellow student. This particular student had an unconventional approach to sharing kittens with their classmates. They would surreptitiously transport these feline companions to school in their backpacks, seemingly offering them free to their peers. However, this unusual gesture understandably led to some raised eyebrows, and the user humorously mentioned that their parents were less than thrilled about the unexpected kitten situation when they got home that afternoon.
CDs, DVDs and Dreamcast Games
On Reddit, users briefly share a snippet of their past, reminiscing about their entrepreneurial endeavors. They recall a time when they sold various items, including CDs, DVDs, and Dreamcast games. While the details are sparse, this simple statement hints at a time when physical media like CDs and DVDs were more prevalent, and the Dreamcast was a popular gaming console. It serves as a concise snapshot of their past business activities.
Wax Paper
A user shares a nostalgic memory from the early 90s involving wax paper and playground slides. During that time, they recall the existence of scorching hot metal slides on the playground. Surprisingly, using a sheet of wax paper as a makeshift sled on these slides resulted in exhilarating speeds and launched riders into the air at the bottom. This thrilling experience led entrepreneurial kids to offer precut squares of wax paper for a modest fee of 50 cents each. While it caused concern for yard duties, it provided a ride more thrilling than any rollercoaster in the eyes of adventurous children.
Burned CDs
A user briefly shares a piece of their school days’ history, recounting their involvement in the school’s “black market.” In this particular case, they dabbled in selling burned CDs. While the details are minimal, this simple statement hints at a time when physical copies of music were still in high demand, and students explored alternative means to acquire their favorite tunes through homemade CD compilations. It serves as a brief but evocative glimpse into a bygone era of music sharing.
“Same. One girl would even print out the album and disc art and make it look like the actual album. I think she sold them for $5.” shares one user.
Copies of the Elevator Key
A Redditor shares a somewhat unconventional money-making venture from their past. While they may not recall all the details, they do remember making a significant income by selling copies of an elevator key. Due to torn knee ligaments, they obtained this key when using the restricted-access elevator. This experience allowed them to capitalize on the key’s unique access, enabling them to profit from it. However, they may not remember every aspect of this entrepreneurial endeavor.
Another added, “I broke my leg in middle school, so I had to use the elevator for 3 months. I purposely got 2 keys: 1 to use for myself and 1 to make a copy of. I sold them for $5-$10 per key (depending on the person is my friend). I probably made about $300.”
Gum
Reflecting on their elementary school experience, the Reddit user recounts a peculiar phenomenon where trading or selling gum among students became significant. They vividly remember that if a teacher spotted a student with gum, it would trigger whole assemblies during which the teacher would publicly inquire why the student had gum. This practice, they lament, resulted in the humiliation of kids from all grades over something as trivial as a pack of gum. This collective experience made gum a coveted commodity during that time, and the simple joy of blowing the biggest bubble was a cherished childhood pursuit.
Marlboro Reds
In a Reddit post, a user shares a captivating story about a resourceful kid living near the Southern border with Mexico. This enterprising youngster would frequently visit Puerto Penasco with friends, thanks to a friend whose parents owned property there. During these trips, the kid would buy cartons of Marlboro Reds for about ten bucks each, then return to the States and sell individual packs for $5 to kids of the same age, all while keeping some for personal use. In addition, the kid secretly cultivated a few marijuana plants in their closet, earning extra cash by selling dime bags.
Despite maintaining straight A grades, school faculty members suspected the kid’s activities. They often brought them into the office for searches. However, the kid cleverly hid their stash in the labyrinthine back alleys near the school, utilizing specially modified engineer boots as concealed storage for small items like cigarettes, a Bic lighter, or a small baggie of marijuana. Surprisingly, the kid never got caught and made a good income through these endeavors.
Home Packed Lunches
A user shares a relatable memory about the school cafeteria in a Reddit post. They recall the often unappetizing cafeteria food, which prompted many students to bring home-packed lunches instead. The user highlights the desirability of a simple bologna sandwich, noting that the cafeteria food was so dreadful that if you could successfully trade it for someone’s bologna sandwich, even for just one day, it would make you feel like royalty among your peers. This anecdote taps into the universal experience of students seeking better meal options during their school days.
The WiFi Password
A person recounts an amusing yet rule-breaking episode from their school days. They mention that their school had WiFi access but discouraged its use. However, a student uncovered the WiFi password and began distributing it like contraband. This led to a humorous comparison to drug dealing. The consequences were not lenient, as the entire group of students involved received five weeks of Saturday detention, highlighting the strict nature of their prep school’s discipline policies.
Test Sheets
Create and rewrite a new paragraph of no less than 70 words; use filler words to bulk it out, and keep it simple, from the 3rd person – On Reddit, one person shared their school story. I ran it, actually. We mostly sold things that the school didn’t want us to have. It sold it for less than they did. We also would steal test sheets and sell the information to other students.
Another said, “The test bank questions and answers got handed down year after year, but you had to pay a pretty penny for them. Many teachers suspected or knew it was happening, but nobody ever did anything.”
Pokemon Cards
A user reminisces about a distinctive school memory involving an unconventional trade. They recall when they would barter Pokemon cards in exchange for gaining knowledge of more explicit language and bad words. This intriguing exchange highlights children’s diverse and sometimes unexpected transactions during their school years as they navigate the complex world of social interactions and curiosity about language.
Enterprising Costco Candy Sellers
One person notices a surprising omission in the discussion. They recall a common practice among many high school students, which involved purchasing Costco variety packs of full-sized candy and selling individual candy bars or bags at school. These entrepreneurial students typically charge $1 to $2 for each candy item, which often led to substantial profits, with each box of candy yielding an estimated $20 or more when sold individually. This anecdote sheds light on a prevalent and lucrative activity among high schoolers.
Bibles
One user points out a notable absence in the ongoing discussion. They share an intriguing anecdote from their Catholic high school days involving Bibles: an unexpected black market commodity. The user reveals that failing to secure one’s Bible by locking it up or keeping it in their backpack during lunch could result in stealing it. This peculiar situation led to a unique market where students with “spare copies” would offer them to their peers in exchange for payment, allowing fellow students to avoid reprimands for not having their Bibles in religion class.
Disguised Booze
A contributor shares a surprising and somewhat concerning story from their high school days in a Reddit thread. They recall a fellow student selling Coca-Cola bottles with alcohol secretly mixed into them on the school bus. These covert concoctions cost $7 each, making them an accessible option for adventurous high school students seeking a discreet way to enjoy some alcoholic beverages. This anecdote sheds light on the inventive and sometimes risky behaviors teenagers can engage in during school.
Nothing
In a Reddit thread, a user humorously shares that there wasn’t much room for mischief at their school. They explain that the school was equipped with security cameras indoors, outdoors, and even in the restrooms, and the vigilant vice principal took great pleasure in monitoring these feeds. With such extensive surveillance, there was virtually no room for clandestine activities or privacy, and everything and everyone was constantly under the watchful eye of the school’s security measures.
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