Financial Freedom Is Exciting! by Emily

Financial Freedom Is Exciting! by Emily - January 2022 Scholarship Essay

There is nothing I look forward to more than financial independence! I have held a part time job since I was 15. At that time, my parents helped me open a checking account in addition to the savings account that they had already opened in my name when I was born. They asked that I put part of my paycheck each time I got one into my savings account which, I was reluctant to do. It was my money and I wanted to spend it!. My parents, being older and wiser than me would tell me the benefits of saving for college or a big ticket item that I wanted. I didn’t want to listen as most teenagers. I would think that I was smart and try to trick my parents and just not tell them where I put my money. My mom could be an FBI Agent. Because I was young when I opened my checking account, her name was listed on the account and she had access to all login information for online banking. She would put money in my savings account from my checking account and just not tell me. As infuriating as that was, when it was time for me to buy a car, I had the money.
This is a short version of the story that helped me to learn some good financial practices. My parents have always been savers. Those habits have rubbed off on both my sister and I. She recently graduated from college debt free. I hope to do the same.
As I have entered my freshmen year of college, I have realized that my parents were right. Things just cost money and you have to be prepared for that. Since, the semester began, I have learned, with the help of my mom, to budget my flex dollars for the whole semester so I don’t run out. To use a credit card responsibly to build my credit. I didn’t know what that meant, but she assured me that I would need good credit when I got out of college.
My senior yearbook quote was “I have to be successful because I like expensive things”. Thanks to my parents, I will be able to work towards that goal.