Lack of Luxury?

Did you know that I am a minority?

This has nothing to do with race-- though I can honestly say that growing up in suburban Chicago caucasians were not the majority... Hispanics and Western Asians had that covered. That said, for all I know-- I could be black enough to have been a slave.

But I am actually talking about being a recent college graduate-- one who has graduated debt-free.

I'm sure it is just a coincidence of factors-- but I think I've figured out how I did it. I can definately say that had I attended all four years (loose interpretation) at Iowa State, I'd be sitting here trying to figure out how I was going to pay off my student loans. As it is, I transferred from Iowa State ($17,000 per semester-- when I was there) to Nebraska-Omaha ($3,500 per semester). Simple math, the in-state tuition at UNO would have allowed me to attend 5 years for the price of one at ISU.

Now, credit needs to be given where credit is due-- my parents had put together a nice little college fund for me with the the help of my grandparents and stocks. But like I said, had I stayed at Iowa State I would have easily burned through that and then some. As it is, I've graduated-- debt-free... and I've also dipped into my college fund (post ISU) to chase a hockey career-- with all the expenses-- and for a new (used) car.

I definately don't come from the richest family in the world-- in fact, I know my parents struggle to make ends meet from time to time... but we managed 4 years of my brother in a catholic high school, 4 years of me in a catholic high school, and 4 years of my brother at a Jesuit university. My brother, I believe, just recently finished paying off his debts.

But here is what I don't get. Pretty much everyone I went to school with complains about the rigors of having to work a full time job, sometimes two-- and that they still don't have enough money.

I call bully. Here's why. Look at all the luxuries these people enjoy. There is absolutely no reason that these students, working full time (or even part time jobs) can't come up with $7,000 a year to pay for college. They live in excess-- with soud systems for their cars-- posh cars-- they watch flat screen LCD televisions-- in posh living conditions-- they take notes on lap top computers, hooked into their iPods, which they take home and download into even nicer desktops (where many of them waste time playing World of Warcraft) with their high-speed internet-- they basically throw their money away.

Actually, they abuse the system, and hurt themselves in the process. Would it shock you to know that college students are actually able to pay for school, living expenses, and a few luxuries. But it's just not enough for them. So they pay for school out of their pockets-- or with the help of their parents-- and then take out loans to by everything they ever wanted. Banks love them. I think they're idiots.

I'm not saying you have to be thrifty-- just take advantage of the system in front of you. I got by living at home, using the computers in the university library (I bought a used computer from a local business for $25 a couple years ago and it works like a dream-- though I'm blogging from my boss' computer on campus while I fill in for him), writing notes (as opposed to typing), without an iPod, without a fast car or gas-guzzling SUV, without this world of excess.

Hey, it seems to be the American way to live in excess, to load yourself with status symbols, and appear to be this great person. You're compensating for a lack of something.

I don't need to look cool or act cool. I don't need to flash money around. Why not? Because I'm not on barrowed money. I am free-- debt-free.