My new job

It's probably not legal for her to pay you "under the table" but it sure saves her money on stuff like HER share of the payroll taxes.....
 
If it were me?  I'd work the job for a few months, learn everything I could learn and then use that experience to get a "real" job...with an actual paycheck!

Is it a busy bar?  I tended bar for four years during college, and loved it (made a ton of cash as well).  I would give it a few weeks to see how it goes.  Just get a mixology book, and fake your way through it.  Most patrons are nice enough to help you though the drinks as well. 
 
As far as being paid under the table...all that really matter is what you claim on your taxes.  For instance, servers incomes are mostly tips that only get recorded if they are claimed.  Servers can get loans that include there tipped income. 
 
Another option is a light doc loan.  This means the bank can use your checking account info to help you qualify.  They total your deposits to see what you income was.  When I got my first mortgage I was self employed for less than a year. Banks do not much care for that.  They reviewed my bank statements and I got a light doc loan.
 
I would also probably only work off the books if the income was pretty substantial.  Otherwise, it isn't worth the hassle.

I would, but the thing is I have to get a job now and show I've been working for 3 months if we want to buy the house down the road by Christmas.  I know I would learn and benefit from this, but I just don't have the time. Even if I worked here for  a few months then got a job on the books, I would not be able to use it for my pre-approval until January.  I think I will stay until I find something else. Because some money is better than no money.

This bar is not busy enough to make money even off the tips. Last night there was a band and maybe there were ten people there. I know it will be dead during the week.
 
I asked the one girl who was just finishing her shift what the tips were like and she said she will normally get $15-$20 a night and weekends she'll get about $40 if the place is packed. I asked how often does it get packed and she said not often enough.

I would spend my time looking for another job.  We used to pull down $300 a night (4 night per week) when I tended bar.  Your talking about maybe $50 a night.  That barely constitutes a bar. 
 
Keep looking....I wouldn't break the law for $50 a shift.

I just called the girl and I told her I had to be paid legally. She said it's legal but they pay cash. I said I had never heard of such a thing. So I am not going in. I think she just wanted me to fill in because she was stuck for next week. Then she more likely would have gotten rid of me.
 
I did get another job though.[]  My Aunt is friends with a manager of a restaurant in town. This is a well known place and very busy. So I'm sure I would get good tips there. I just don't know when I will start.

Good for you!  Waiting tables is very hard work if your in a busy place... but great money.  I worked at a rest. on Burbon St for five years while in high school and college... I made a killing... a ton, and at only $2.15 an hour its all tips... but you work long and hard. 
 
Good luck with it!!
 
Oh- you did the right thing.  Buying that house is worth whatever you have to do (aside rom paying too much for it) and should be first priority.  You definatley made the right decision.

[sm=tex.gif]angeltrudelle[sm=wink2.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=happy.gif]
I worked as a bartender for years.  ALL CASH.  Off the books.  What I did is when I filed my taxes I claimed some. I put down that I am self employed.   Ask your accountant about that.  I did it for 9 years without a problem or an audit.  GOOD LUCK!!!!

Supported my son alone bartending and waitressing loved it, Mick is right I used to clear $1000 a week for 3 nights in the 70's.
Are the people in that bar alive? lol

I worked in a restaurant for over 2 years when I was 19- 21. It was great. I loved it. I started out as a hostess and very quickly worked my way up to server and cocktail waitress. The money was great. I could work 3 nights a week, for 5 hours each night and clear over $1000. It was HARD work though. Probably the hardest work I've ever done, but it was definitely worth it. Good pay, great people, awesome friends, and a wonderful experience. If I didn't have Ash, I'd probably go back to it. Another thing I liked was that if I needed a little extra money ASAP, I'd just pick up a shift and I'd have an extra couple hundred in my pocket that very night. []

[sm=tex.gif]angeltrudelle
Some of us might have missed this, I know I did.  I see you live in Ontario.  Alot of us are from the US.  We might have given you some advice that maybe couldn't apply to you.    Like the advice I gave you about the tax returns.  I don't know if you even file a tax return.  I don't know how Ontario does their business. I'm sorry if I was wrong.  I didn't mean to be and do not want you to get into trouble.  Ask your local accountant or even your boss what to do about taxes.  Or better yet.  GET ON THE NET.[sm=uhoh.gif]

[&:]

Good point Michelle.  I don't know much about Canada either.  You might want to research the whole "off the books" thing...Aye

It's too much of a pain, and not enough money. The wage would have been ok, but tips would be nothing and I need my job to be legal and I need to show proof of working right away. I should start the new job in a few weeks.