Planting a Seed for the Future by Emily

Planting a Seed for the Future by Emily - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

Growing up, I always had a strong desire to read. Everywhere I went, it never failed for me to have a book in my hand. In elementary school, we would always have a contest on how many books we could read for school in a week. Then, as we became high school students, we mostly just read the book that were required for a grade. If we do read in our spare time, we indulge in books about vampires, werewolves, or other fantasy worlds that allow us an escape from reality. All of these books provide enjoyment for a time, but they never really apply to our lives.

High school has taught us many things, but one thing we didn't focus much on was money management. No one tells you how easy it is to fall into the deep hole known as none other than debt. After graduation, so many choices become obtainable. You may start to receive credit card offers and your opportunities seem endless. Without knowing how to manage your money, you could end up in pretty bad shape.

If I were to pick a book that all high school students should read before they graduate, I would choose "The Richest Man in Babylon". I chose this book because it is crucial that we, as young adults, get prepared for the crazy roller coaster of adulthood. This book teaches that the key to success is being prepared. Your future grows like a seed, what you put into it is what you will get out of it.

In the blink of an eye, we will graduate and begin our journey of starting a career. It is important that we are educated in our chosen careers, for in being well educated, we have the means to earn more money. As this book states, it is wise to put back money in your younger years before you are older and unable to preform the tasks your job may require.

As young adults, we start out on our journey with little to no money. It is then that we must learn how to manage our money. In order to grow in life, you must first make a stable foundation for yourself. The most valuable lesson that this book teaches is to put back ten percent of what you earn and to live on less than you are able to make.

The concept that all high school graduates can learn from this book is to plan for the future now. Save money as you make it and be cautious not to over-spend. Preparing ahead of time will save you from having to make rushed decisions and making a great deal of mistakes. Remember to enjoy all the pleasures life has to offer, for if we manage our money wisely, we can afford both our necessities and our pleasures.