Comments on: Do Kids Value It More When They Pay Their Own Way?

By: Anitra

Anitra — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:31:10 +0000

My parents paid for a lot when I was a kid and a teenager (including the bulk of my college costs). I generally appreciated it, but I do a lot more now that I look back at it as an adult.

Your story actually makes me think of all the clubs and music lessons I did over the years. I definitely worked harder when I had something invested in the club – but I never had my money invested until I took private voice lessons when I was 20. I practiced so much more for that than I ever did for the endless piano lessons I endured as a child; and a big part of it was the money (the other part was knowing I had a goal, a solo recital that I absolutely had to be prepared for).

By: Future Millionaire

Future Millionaire — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:30:25 +0000

I put myself through college and at first I have to admit, I was a snotty kid about it. I always knew I’d have to pay my own way if I wanted a college education, but once I was in college and saw all my friends around receiving help from their parents it made me upset that I wasn’t getting any help. (Yes, I know like I said I was a snotty kid). But as I matured, even when I was still in college, I could see the significance difference in not only my attitude towards college but also towards money. Those friends who’s parents were paying for everything didn’t see the real value of a dollar and I can promise you that even though some of them have larger salaries than I do, I have more savings because I value a dollar.

By: Dad

Dad — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:00:05 +0000

Oh, I hope you achieved your goal of getting rested!

By: Dad

Dad — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:59:31 +0000

My wife and I felt it was very important taht you finish your education without facing a big debt which is so common these days. You certainly did pay for much of your education through earning the scholarships and maintaining them. Your grades show that you didn’t let yourself even get close to failing to maintaining the level required by the scholarships. You didn’t go to a party school, but I am dismayed when I hear about these schools and the students that waste their time and their parents’ money partying instead of studying.

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:11:20 +0000

Another tap dancer – woo-hoo! I’ve always been strongest in tap, but you’re way better than I in ballet, that’s for sure!
I’m going to have to join others in mentioning my first car as the object I bought on my own. Well, I can’t say I bought it with 100% of my own money. My parents gave me a loan. I eventually paid them back with money I got from my job.
I’d definitely say that I had greater appreciation for what I bought because I had to work for it.

By: plonkee

plonkee — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 10:08:11 +0000

I don’t know. I paid for my driving lessons myself, and my parents paid for my music lessons. It still took me 18 months to pass my driving test, even though I struggled to get the money to pay for the lessons.

I didn’t (and don’t) value my driving lessons above my music lessons. In fact I’d almost forgotten that I paid for my driving lessons myself.

By: Becky@FamilyandFinances

Becky@FamilyandFinances — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 02:40:30 +0000

I also paid for my own first car. I really feel that I was more careful with it and took better care of it this way. I knew that I didn’t have the money to replace it if I got in an accident!

My brother paid his own way through college without any loans. He got a great summer job pouring concrete every summer throughout college. He worked 12 hour days, but he made enough every summer to pay for that year’s tuition. I’m pretty proud of him for that

By: Hilda

Hilda — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:53:43 +0000

I bought my very first car without help from anyone the same day I got my license. Granted, it was really old and big and clunky but it was mine. I paid for it in cash, too.

I was never envious of other kids my age with much nicer cars because I know most of them didn’t pay for it out of their own pockets.

By: mrsmicah

mrsmicah — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:23:42 +0000

I can imagine, Lazy Man. I went through college very concerned with getting the best GPA possible so that I could keep going there, because my parents told me it was impossible for me to attend that school without a generous 60% tuition scholarship that required a higher GPA than my smaller ones.

I only ever skipped classes on purpose I was auditing for fun/extra education without the grade. Which is why I audited them, for less pressure and more flexibility.

By: Lazy Man and Money

Lazy Man and Money — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:17:35 +0000

My wife paid for own college. How many classes do you think she missed? Pretty close to zero.