So as I sit here, I am currently beginning my Spring Break. After a stressful week of 5 tests and a 5 page paper due, I can successfully take a deep breath. I am 3/4 of the way through with my first year of college. Wow.
Instead of going down to Corpus or crazy South Padre, I have chosen to stay at home and not to hang out with friends, but to work. Why? Money.
This nationwide obsession with money is nothing new. Oh no. In America we have always had to have the biggest, best, most up-to-date product out there. Why? Does it really make you all that happier?
If anything I think it means more problems down the road. Most people do not have the money to buy new things right and left. Their solution? Put it on the credit card, the savior to all problems because no matter what the economy does, they believe they will always have a job and always have the money to pay off credit card bills. Then they get laid off. Now what to do about that $50,000 + credit card debt? Oh who knows. Then they can't pay bills. Marietal problems begin. They've grown accustomed to buying the biggest and best and can no longer settle for anything less. More family tensions and then divorce follows. Granted I'm way over generalizing but this seems to be the case more often than not.
Yes money is good, but save it, invest it. Don't spend it all. Realize that you can't always have the best TV or computer. Yours will do for now.
I have learned so much in high school and college yet was never, ever taught how to simply balance a budget. Not even in economics. The kids that were in level and taking microeconomics were supposed to learn that, but never did. I guess us AP kids taking macro were supposed to already know that.
Want to solve the amount of consumer debt in this contry? Let's give classes on how to build a budget. Just my 2 cents and a random, boring post. Sorry!
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My parents have drilled it into my head: if I want to help the economy, be a responsible consumer! Save, invest, and before buying something, shop around. Clip coupons. Don't get into debt. Use common sense.
In fact, that's what drives our economy - people using their money in their best interest. And some people apparently think debt won't bite them in the behind.