To The Broke College Student Saving Up Money,
I'd like to start off by saying one thing, and one thing only: you are not alone. To you and me, it often seems as though everyone within the world around us has unlimited amounts of cash to spend on frivolous luxuries, and it can be very frustrating to watch that, to say the least. You haven't been to the mall in what seems like years, and you wonder if that $1.00 candy bar is actually worth the dollar that comes out of your wallet because you're living off of $20 for as long as humanly possible. You watch your peers' snapchat stories as they go on spring break getaways to the Caribbean and blow $60 on one meal at some fancy restaurant. You work as many hours as you can get at your job(s) to make sure those tuition payments get paid on time and in full. You don't have the blessing of working a 25-hour-a-week job because with those sort of hours, you wouldn't be able to afford a higher education at the school that you so desperately want and need to stay at.
But you and I both must remember why we do what we do. This is only temporary, and it's going to pay off so, so much in the end. We're young, and we are capable, as often as our aching feet scream the opposite. We will bounce back, and our energy will replenish itself that much more when we finally walk across the stage with that diploma and get hired in the career field we've been so desperately working towards. Suddenly, I imagine the 60-to-70-hour workweeks will feel worth it when we have the self-discipline to build good enough credit to buy our first homes. We will have a greater concept of what a dollar is really worth, which could not be any more important, especially in this day and age.
We also understand and appreciate our parents a whole lot for the ways that they help us out sometimes. You know you're growing up when you feel very guilty accepting the groceries and new work clothes your mom surprised you with on your day off. And you especially appreciate dad taking you out to eat because that's another $15-$20 he just saved you.
Though, I also want to remind you of another very important thing you must do: treat yourself. Go out with friends to a restaurant that isn't Denny's (and go at an hour that isn't 1:30 a.m. after your shift) and buy yourself those not-so-cheap jeans you've been eyeing for months now. Everyone deserves a reward for their hard work, and you are no exception. I don't have to tell you to not go crazy with the spending because I'm well aware that you know to limit your splurges.
So, the next time you look on Instagram and you can't resist looking at a girl's vacay picture she just posted with a million emojis, remember this: she most likely will not have the same work ethic that employers love to see in new, young employees. And you know what? Maybe she will. But she will never experience the inner satisfaction of knowing that she single-handedly paved the way for her career and for the rest of her life that is only acquired through hard work.
Cheers to you. Keep your head up and I hope the next time you clock in, you think about what a favor you're doing yourself.
