I want to start off by saying that I love my parents with all of my heart and I would not change my life in any way, shape or form. My mom is my best friend and she does more than I could ever ask for. That also being said, I am so tired of people looking at me like I live this terrible life because my parents aren’t paying for college or my bills.

I grew up in a little tiny town in northern Connecticut where there are people who are very financially stable or they have nothing. I loved my childhood even if I did not have every new gadget or clothes. And honestly not being handed everything has taught me so many things.

1. I learned to work hard

If I wanted something, I had to work hard to get it. In middle school, I wanted to play travel basketball, I went out and practiced all the time so that I could make the team. I wanted to go on the class trip, I had to fundraise the entire price, in order to go. I translated all my hard work into my academics because I knew that in order to go to college I was going to need scholarships.

2. I learned how to budget

Budgeting is something that a lot of people I know struggle with. It is not easy as a high school and college student who sees something they really want and immediately feel impulsed to buy it. I had to manage my money properly in order to pay my bills. This prepared me for now when I am having to pay rent, car insurance, phone bills and maintain a social life.

Budgeting is an important skill for future when planning what house to buy, or how much to spend on groceries so that you pay all of your bills on time. Throughout all of the years of schooling, I have taken (16) I was never taught specifically how to budget. Unfortunately unless a business major in college, most people are left to figure out how to budget on their own.

3. I learned how to accept the word “no”

Growing up, often I was told “no” when it came to material goods or going unnecessary places. As a child that was not easy because you want to have everything your friends have and when living in the middle of nowhere going anywhere can be expensive. However, it taught me that “no” is a completely acceptable answer and it won’t kill me.

This is super important now that I am an adult because I am able to accept rejection from other people, jobs, schools and know that that there are other options for me. Furthermore, I can tell people no without feeling guilty for not doing what they want.

4. I learned to appreciate everything that I have

I have everything that I need to survive as a college student, a laptop, a phone, a roof over my head and food to eat. But I also know that I have to be careful with all of my belongings because once it breaks its game over. I learned that if I fall behind in school and lose my scholarships, I won’t be going to school. It is important to value everything you have whether it be material objects, scholarships or even people because one day they won’t be there.

So no, my parents have never paid for my life, that is all me and it is the best thing for me. I have learned so much from the way I was raised and would not change it for the world. I am mildly prepared to be out in the real world thanks to everything I have learned. It is OK, if your parents pay for everything for you but stop telling me it’s not OK mine don’t.