I'd like to begin by saying I am well aware of how fortunate I am. However, I am not quite sure fortunate is the right word as fortunate relates to luck and luck is based on chance rather than one's own actions. Dictionary definition aside, I feel very fortunate to have graduated from college with absolutely no student debt and I have myself, but more and most importantly, my parents to thank for this seemingly uncommon accomplishment.

I come from a family of savers and bargain shoppers. Coupons and sale racks are our specialty. My parents pinched pennies all over the place and managed to save up enough money to send both my sister and I to college at a state university. Even before they knew our full potential, my parents began making the fiscally responsible choices necessary in order to relinquish the potentially crippling effects of student debt on their daughters.

My parents did not, however, pay for my college education 100%. The deal was always that they would pay for 3 years and the rest was my responsibility. So, I worked diligently my senior year, between classes and extracurriculars, applying to scholarships in hopes of covering some that cost. Additionally, I spent 5 of my summers working 40+ hours a week and saved a substantial sum to help cover my portion of the deal. My senior year of college, I found an on-campus job and had enough credits to qualify for part-time student tuition costs by my last semester which cost significantly less than full-time.

All the monetary and temporal sacrifices which were made so that I could walk across the stage on graduation day sans student debt were worth it. It is my parents' unwavering commitment to providing the best possible life for their daughters which granted us just not the money but also the drive and desire to pursue an education whole-heartedly and pay for it in full.

It should be noted that despite filling out the FAFSA every year for 7 years, my family never received any help from the government to pay for my or my sister's education.

It should also be noted, that I realize this is not always possible, life throws curveballs all the time. Some very unfortunate things can drain lifesavings and take away a parents' best intentions to provide for their children. But often times parents do have the choice, to cutback expenses and make feasible financial plans long before they even have children. I am forever indebted to my parents for covering the majority of the cost of my college education. It helped provide the solid foundation for which I could begin building my post-college.

Whenever I hear people complain about student loans, I am reminded just how exceptional my mom and dad are, as parents and as people. I cannot say thank you enough.