It is Time to BeReal

With the state of the economy in the United States being on the verge of recession, people (especially teens) are still spending money on useless things like $300 shoes and going out to eat everyday at fast food restaurants that charge for overpriced, fattening food.

College and the rest of our lives are just around the corner. Students should consider saving more money before heading off to the “real world” and before debt starts snowballing and student loans build up.

Everyday, I walk through the halls of Mandan High School and see students with bags of fast food and I wonder, where do these kids find all this extra money everyday? Personally, I know many students that have close to nothing in their bank account, but they still find the need to spend the $10 they do have instead of trying to save up for their future.

Now you may be asking, why should I even consider saving money? Every year, colleges are raising their prices of tuition, housing, etc. This is leaving many students scrambling to pay for rent, groceries, gas along with many other things. Basically, all I am saying is that every penny counts. Setting up a savings account and putting money in frequently can build up overtime.

Some ways students can save money in high school can be saving gas, setting a budget for shopping, and not splurging on items you can not afford. I am not saying that occasionally spending money within reason is not acceptable, but looking to the future and taking care of your money responsibly will help in the long run.

The struggle of saving money is prevalent in many students’ lives. Speaking from my own experience of financial irresponsibility, I spend too much money on teas and shakes. Everyone knows the impulse feeling of needing to buy their favorite things.

Overall, students who save money in high school have a greater chance of managing money better in the future. Saving money helps prepare students for life outside of high school and teaches how to balance decisions with money. It is never too early to start planning for your financial future.

February 2023