Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Holly Szkoropad

After receiving my biannual work review last week, I was politely told that, although I'm doing my job correctly, I wouldn't get a raise. The company, apparently, can't afford to pay me more because of the recession.

I would have sulked, but before I began pitying myself I realized how fine I am without that extra cash.

After living in a sweet California bubble for the entirety of my 22 years, I doubt I've truly taken the time to thank the gods of fate for putting me in this situation.

Like a lot of us, I've been lucky enough to always have everything I need.

Although I earn meager wages in retail, I'm still weaning myself off of the "buy, buy, buy" mentality I learned to love in the '90s.

I wouldn't be the first one to admit that I'm horrible with money.

Much of our generation has never learned the true value of the dollar, and that scares me. I'm one of the only people I know who has worked the entirety of college. Many of my friends live solely on handouts from their parents

While my parents were busy getting married at my age, I'm struggling to finish college and keep my checkbook balanced.

The average credit card debt among young adults increased 55 percent between 1992 and 2001, according to Anya Kamenetz's "Generation Debt."

Total U.S. consumer debt climbed to $2.56 trillion by the end of 2008 from $2.52 trillion at the end of 2007,

according to the Federal Reserve's February 2009 report.

If it weren't for media telling me this country's in a recession, I wouldn't think to trade out a porterhouse steak for Top Ramen.

The dangers of superspending are becoming apparent, as we've watched the nation's

housing market implode from buyers not knowing when to put away their wallets.

Those of us born to baby boomer parents were raised in an environment where no one knew the sadness of the Depression.

We grew up spoiled. Perhaps we all just needed more slaps on the wrist.

Sallie Mae reported that the majority of college students are lugging around a record high average debt of $3,173, and more, if you factor in student loans.

After growing up in an age of incredible technical advances, I think society may have broken us with Happy Meals and non-stop consumerism.

Continued...

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