#TeenagerDilemma #SummerJob #FinancialResponsibility
Hey everyone! 🌟 So, I have a bit of a dilemma and I could really use some advice. I’m 19 years old, I’ve saved up 6k, and my parents are giving me an extra 3k for the summer. I don’t have any bills to pay and my college is covered for the next 4 years. So, here’s the question – Should I work a summer job even though I don’t really have to?
Here are some things to consider:
– Working a summer job can teach valuable skills like time management, responsibility, and customer service.
– Saving up more money now could set you up for financial success in the future.
– Networking opportunities and building your resume could open up doors for future opportunities.
– Taking a break to relax and recharge is valid too, don’t underestimate the power of self-care.
What would you do in my shoes? Let me know your thoughts and any advice you have! It’s always great to hear different perspectives. 🤔💡
Yes I would because you might as well start saving early… I started working properly during second year college at 17, was earning 2-3 k a month and have not stopped working full time since (get that you have uni) but might as well start preparing for the future and get ahead of yourself…
Or if you have other plans and want to do big things spend all your money then go ahead… you can save with a future job
I implore you not to waste time. I think college kids should work for pay, do an internship for experience or volunteer for something valuable to learn. You have energy at 19 that you don’t have later on in life. You have a brain not defeated by life. It’s the perfect time to do SOMETHING. If you’re able to, how nice would it be if you had a core memory for every year of your life. The summer you did Uber and met all kinds of people. Maybe you learn how to cold read good tippers, or how to know when someone wants to talk to you or doesn’t. The summer you went to a major city and learned how to x,y,z and tried new cuisines. There’s something called the time value of money. Starting to earn and save now, means a more comfortable life later. Consider what you can afford to NEVER touch even if it’s $10 a week. Open an account you won’t see until you’re old. If you have the means to do so, you can even start investing. A CD or two might give you a chunk of change in a few years that you won’t really notice missing while you’re in school. By the time you’ve graduated, hopefully you can situate yourself comfortably while searching for a job and eating decent meals and maybe even being able to afford to date or take cool trips while you tackle new responsibilities. Whatever it may be, I vote you do something memorable!
Yes. You can never have too much money in your savings account.
More work more money, you can never have too much money, and if you ever do, traveling and exploring the world is the best way to waste it
I would try to learn a trade . Some sort of apprenticeship.
If I were in your shoes, I’d work… but also spend it and have fun. Go out, try new food spots, go to shows of your favorite bands/artists… etc
That’s pretty cool! This time is important financially, but I also wouldn’t only focus on money.
Maybe look into some kind of instrument you’ve wanted to learn, or dive into a hobby you’ve found interesting?
Rodney Dangerfield said it best at a college graduation ceremony, “Bring us a pitcher of beer every seven minutes until somebody passes out. And then bring one every ten minutes.”
Sorry wrong quote, “It’s a jungle out there. You gotta look out for number one. But don’t step in number two. And so, to all you graduates, as you go out into the world, my advice to you is – don’t go! It’s rough out there! Move back with your parents!”
That was 40 years ago in Back to School, it aged well Ahahhahhah
Yes if I was 19 I’d work a summer job and not go to college and get a trades apprenticeship
I think both options are good. Don’t do anything because you can, and save up money because you can. I didn’t save money at your age and traveled instead and I don’t regret it at all. I wish I had saved more money, but the experience I had traveling around and figuring out how to keep myself alive in the process on very little money was priceless.
Apprenticeship/internship. That’s not even a question. I’m 25, graduated two years ago. I got lucky, but doing an internship/apprenticeship is something I’d do if I could go back. Now it doesn’t matter for me, but it’s very important to kickoff a career. Don’t deliver food is my advice too. I did that at your age. It’s the worst and frankly doesn’t make much financial sense. Don’t cashier either (only because I hated it).
As someone who graduated college and had been hunting for a job for ages- I’d HIGHLY recommend getting a summer job whether it’s related to anything you’d do in college or not. My own home situation prevented me from doing work opportunities in the summers and it really set me back on the job and internship opportunities when compared with my peers who had job references, recommendations, connections, or even just baseline experiences that helped them shine in interviews.
Money aside- do it for your future and self growth. Even if it’s just a few hours of part time a week.
I would invest that money in an index fund and add some small amount to it ($100 – maybe $260) EVERY SINGLE MONTH.
Don’t touch the money and your retirement will take care of itself.
Enlist into the military
I’m 18 (I’ll be 19 in August) and I have 10k in savings. I’m going to college in the fall plus I work retail. I would tell you to keep saving. Having no responsibilities right now is the easiest way to save a lot of money!
It’s better to have a resume early on in life whether it’s volunteering or a job or internship. Otherwise, you’ll be asked in interviews “what do you do” and you kinda just use a bunch of big words to try to trick them into not knowing the answer was “nothing.”
I worked with adults with disabilities at group homes & a day program most of the time, cleaned houses/Airbnb’s for 1 summer, took an internship, worked in home with a client with dementia, worked in the foster system & regularly volunteered at nursing homes.
1) it’s fulfilling to have a passion, a goal, and to learn. And it’s better to build a work ethic now than down the line when your parents aren’t there to support you anymore. Never know if sh*t will hit the fan,
2) and 6k savings is great but I’d aim for putting money into every month & invest. Also Roth IRA’s etc.
3) you build connections (network) & friends when you have a job. It can be fun!
Edit: I have a coworker who is mega-rich too since her family owns bars & her husband is a lawyer & she works part-time because she’s passionate about helping our clients!
I’d try to find internships in you field of choice. Barring that, some kind of basic work or even a gig job part time isn’t a bad idea.
You literally have 40-50 years of work ahead of you. Remember to develop your social / dating circles along side your education, as well as finding time to take care of yourself (Aka- Gym, hygiene, etc.). Try to say “yes” to as many opportunities that come up as possible to broaden your experiences. You’re only young once. Put yourself out there, ask that guy/girl out, go on that trip with your friends, and try to have as many positive experiences as possible. Don’t worry about what other people think and do what YOU want to do, eventually you’ll find people you align with.
Taking 5-10% of your income and putting it into some kind of low risk investment like an index fund, CDs, or even just a savings account that gets interest isn’t a bad idea either.
Invest that money
Find something to do in your industry — see if it sucks now rather than after studying for it for four years.
There are 18+ strip clubs in most places and some legit ones. Like ones where banging can happen.