Cash Grab

Teenagers will hold summer jobs to pay for gas and fast food but never be told the value of a dollar. The disposability of money is taught in this fast-paced, consumer-based culture the United States has evolved into. A four dollar cup of coffee is a normality, but many fail to view it as half an hour's work on minimum wage. The conversion of work to currency is lost on a younger generation, and the sad reality is they will learn this lesson when they are in over their heads. Debt will pile up, a lifestyle will have become custom, financial strain will ensue, and poor mental health as a result of stress will inflict a large portion of this new generation of workers. This epidemic will lead to social programs that can not be afforded and the paradoxical cycle of poverty will only grow in our country. Children, teenagers, and young adults before it is too late need to be educated on the value of money. Savings are important, new revenue streams help build financial stability, and decreasing spending will change your situation in the long term. David Bach's book The Latte Factor speaks on the reality that eliminating luxury purchases such as coffee or designer clothes and investing that money, thanks to compound interest, will make you rich for your life after retirement. Gas station stops for chips and sodas by teens can cost them hours worth of wages each week. This concept that money should be spent right as it is earned is a dangerous notion. Spending $1000 in this pay period because that is what you received and spending $1500 in the next pay period because that is what your check was for that time is a wasteful way of thinking and spending. This is what causes families to live paycheck to paycheck, and millennials have suffered from this financial strategy modeled by their parents. Generation Z seeing this struggle is more of a frugal generation but still holds a large majority that will end up in the same fate. Money is important but should not be what life is based around, loving others should be. I believe saving, picking up extra shifts, investing, and being smart with money is a super important aspect of life. I want as much value to my name as I can possibly achieve but not to live lavishly. No, I want to help the world around me, those not taught the same lessons I was. Andrew Carnegie presents the greatest example of financial responsibility, by acquiring much wealth, donating throughout his life, and ultimately leaving the bulk to society in his passing. He chose not to prop up his family that he left behind, but rather to support them enough for modest living. Many other tycoons at the time did not follow this example, but if our nation's elite would understand this important human responsibility our entire nation would be uplifted. If every worker was able to build a portfolio riddled with financial gains, then all citizens could follow Carnegie in his support of the less fortunate and building of society. Today I leave you with the burden of society on your shoulders. Make smart decisions, accrue wealth, build upon what you have, give to the less fortunate, uplift society. Just a thought.