Comments on: Money Gossip: Overhead Money Conversation Between Two Teenagers

By: Hollis Colquhoun

Hollis Colquhoun — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:48:02 +0000

I am diving in here; it’s my first comment in your blog (which is great). I have 3 daughters who either went to or are still going through the college experience and each of their college situations has been different. My oldest has graduated as an engineer and she got a job fairly easily (she was an A-type personality). The 2nd daughter just graduated with a business degree(it took her 5 years to do a 4-year undergrad program) and she’s now a full-time nanny because she couldn’t get a job. My 3rd girl loves animals and wants to be a horse vet but she also wants to be more financially independent now so she is working full-time at a vet hospital and taking a class or two at the local community college. I think the college experience has to be looked at in several ways. Obviously it expands your knowledge. It also introduces you to a wide range of new students and teachers and opinions, and allows you to pinpoint your interests. Attending college teaches you independent living, brings you new friendships and relationships and broadens your horizons. The cost is a separate consideration. Student loans are a pain and you can never get rid of government loans, (like death and taxes). But you should try very hard to go to college.Do your research on possible schools, pick one that will match your personality, factor in the cost, and then work on the financing, the best way you can. You can always work while in school, too.
Where you go to college, as long as it’s accredited, doesn’t matter as much as what you want to get out of it. Basically, even if you want to work at Micky D’s after you graduate, your perspective will be entirely different and your options much greater.

By: SincerelyGo

SincerelyGo — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:33:42 +0000

I love your blog…and do I always have to say this..YES! I have mixed feelings when it comes to College…I didn’t feel this way of couse until I went to College and was left with mounds and mounds of debt. Who’s really the winner? I agree $12 is not alot of money but if the does work his way up in the company and manage his money correctly he can become management within a 5 year period and probably end up making the same amount of money or more than the kid that went to College UNLESS he goes for a specialist type education ( Doctor, Lawyer..blah blah blah) and then even that’s doesn’t even out when student loans kick in. Now we can take the scenerio as if the kids parents will pay for college or he’ll get scholarships…while that may be true for him that’s not always the case..how do you think Sallie Mae became so popular * shrugs*

(If I ever won the lottery my 1st check would go to Sallie Mae)

I’d bet even if they went their seperate ways one to the workforce and one to College there is a STRONG chance they’d end a very close race.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:07:04 +0000

Interesting exchange, but sadly it happens everyday. It always amazes me that kids in affluent neighborhoods want to be underachievers. It is a badge of honor to not do well or be as successful as their parents. It don’t get it. Like everyone else said, $12 and hour is not enough to sustain a lifestyle and if lil dude wants to be a baller then he’ll have to step up his game.

Going to college doesn’t necessarily equal financial freedom, but at least get a trade or certificate to build on and advance with. Retail leads to dead ends unless you are smart enough to take advantage of company stock options as well as educational opportunities…oh wait, that means going to school. Might not work for him.

Hopefully one day he will wake up and his friend will recognize that he is planning to put himself in a better position.

By: rinter

rinter — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:49:51 +0000

There’s a great bio on Teddy Roosevelt where his father told young Teddy, “When you decide on career, always be aware of the consequences along with the benefits of your decision.” If you become a beach bum, don’t complain about never making 300,000 bucks a year. If the teen was happy making 12 bucks an hour more power to him…though I wonder if was ever exposed to other opportunities???

By: Debbie M

Debbie M — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:29:34 +0000

Yea, $12 and hour is plenty of money when your parents are giving you free rent and food. Then when you want to get your own place, or even move in with your friends instead, or when you start working your retail job full time and it gets old, or when your hours keep getting cut for no reason, you might change your tune. Plenty of people learn this the hard way.