Y'know, I've been thinking lately (a first!)...

Where does Ranma get the money to pay off Nabiki when she blackmails
him?  Admittedly, in the manga, it doesn't happen constantly (like in some
fanfiction), but when it does, the sums are fairly substantial.  For
example, when Ranma's mother first comes to visit, she chokes 5000
yen, or roughly 50 dollars (at the time, now approx $40), out of him.  In a
later story (where Ranma accidentally burnt her concert ticket), she
wheedles 3000 yen (approximately 30 dollars at the exchange rate at the
time.  Now approx $25).  Plus she sticks him with the bill for an expensive
restaurant and for her shopping in the story with that contest to see who
will be first to spend 10 yen.  And who knows what else I'm missing...

Now, I don't know about you all, but, when I was in high school (before I
got a job), I would have a tough time coughing up this kind of money.  And
from all appearances, Ranma doesn't work (except briefly at Nekohanten
or Ucchan's).  So where does he get the money?

(I can see the outlines of a fanfic now:  Ranma Sansei, with Ryouga as
Jigen, and if Kuno wouldn't make a great, if perhaps too talkative,
Goemon, then I should pack it in and go home...  who would be Fujiko
Mine? or Zenigata?  Hmmm.  Maybe Ryouga as Zenigata, but then that
leaves Jigen open.  Hmmm.)

tom