The following was inspired by a friend who posted this picture on her Facebook wall:
My reaction:
Needless to say, that image made me want to share my own experience in this “What 1%? I’m not the 99% ‘Manifesto‘” [Working title…].
Why, share it, you ask? Because I feel as if the majority of the people I know are almost always the kind that favors imposing rules and regulations on others but never on themselves (talk about inequality!). I feel like this has to stop, but until then, here’s my two cents:
I recently graduated college completely debt-free.
I don’t necessarily pay for all my living expenses, even though I work 30+ hours a week making well above the minimum wage.
I chose a moderately priced, in-state public university yet never started saving $ for school while in high school.
Speaking of high school, I got great grades there and received two scholarships during my Senior year which fully covered my first year of college.
Government grants and university-sponsored private scholarships financed all my other years in school.
I graduated with a 3.6+ GPA and Honors.
I live comfortably in my parents’ modest home, gladly knowing I don’t have to have everything I want.
I rarely eat out or go shopping and always pay my credit cards well before they’re due.
I do have an iPad and a Smartphone–both of which I paid for (though not with credit!)– because I know my future professional self will thank me. I need to stay abreast of the latest media and technologies.
If I did have debt, I would NOT blame Wall St. or the government for my own bad decisions.
I live below my means to continue saving for the future.
I expect nothing to be handed to me (despite being an only child) and will continue to work my @$$ off for everything I have and want.
That’s how it’s supposed to work.
I am NOT the 99%, and whether or not you are is YOUR decision.