Show of hands: Who here has spent money in the last 24 hours?
OK, put them down. You do look kind of silly reading the newspaper that way.
Even though the best things in life are free, they’re definitely still taxable. We’re used to paying for food, gas, and clothing, but the present recession has made us hyper-aware of every cent we spend. Prices rise, and paychecks, well, don’t. It’s enough to put a damper on even the most earnest retail warrior.
(For illustration, dear Class of 2012: When I was your age, gas was $1.77 a gallon.)
The middle class has been hardest hit, as have the stores we frequent — everything from Macy’s to, yes, even Wal-Mart has seen losses. An April 28, 2008, a Newsweek op-ed piece lamented the death of the shopping spree. It seems that everyone is too busy trying to buy food to look at those new Diesel jeans.
But keep your chins up, peers! We still have the most expendable income of any age group. (Of course, that’s also why we’re targeted so often by advertisers selling everything from music downloads to weight-loss panaceas to the next great fashion trend.)
“I spend most of my money on hanging out with my sisters, iced coffee, and clothes,” Leah Nestor says.
We buy small stuff — well, not that the iPhone is “small stuff” — but it adds up quickly. Those of us aged 13 to 17 spend an annual $30 billion. That’s ... a lot of iced coffee.
Just where is all that money coming from? While the practice of mooching off one’s parents is widely accepted, something — a vestige of guilt, a desire for more cash — led 60.6 percent of teens ages 16 to 19 to participate in the work force last month. Whether or not you get minimum wage, it’s still money that can go towards as many “Lost” downloads as you want.
“I have a job because I like the sense of independence I get when I don’t have to ask my parents for money. I can decide what I want to spend,” Marissa Pulice says. “I work hard for that money, too.”
It’s very easy to see the summer job as a first step towards autonomy, whether fiscal or emotional; there’s a lot of pride in being able to take care of yourself.
Yes, you are now licensed to call it your “adolescent independent career initiative.” Thank me later.
Of course, even though teenagers spend most money on entertainment, that’s not to say we don’t buy other things — necessities, if you will. One of those necessities recently passed $4 a gallon.
“Gas prices are really starting to hurt,” Caleb Lough says. “I’m staying home a lot more often.”
For many people, escalating costs mean it’s no longer possible to get to work every day; for others, it means that a trip to the grocery store is going to sting in two different ways. And for us, it means that the traditional who’s-paying negotiations become a lot more awkward. We don’t want to pay for ever-more-expensive insurance and fuel ... but neither do our parents.
After all, they’re already footing the bill for another big expenditure.
“Saving for sending me to college next year, and paying for my brother in college this year, is an issue,” Jenna Carpenter says. “It wasn’t before.”
Already fraught decisions become therapy-level, and even Xanax costs something.
So what’s a recessionista to do? Remember that markets — like water and the lives of butterflies — move in cycles. It may not be pretty at the moment, but time cures all ills — though, workers of the world, overtime waits for no man. For the moment, saving seems to be the way to go, as hard as that can be. (Have you SEEN what they’re charging for coffee? Goodness!)
I propose a toast: Here’s to keeping our sanity, and our wallets, in trying times. How does tap water sound?
Cold Pizza
Related Photos
July 22, 2008
It’s tough times
Because an up market is so 2007
- Cold Pizza
-
-
Commanding the field
How many can distinctively conduct the “The Star-Spangled Banner” in ¾ time using the appropriate cut-offs and the upbeat introductions? How many can direct a band marching backward and keeping time to the parade style songs? These are only the tryouts, while in reality the job of field commander entitles much more.
-
To hear music, just press ‘play’
Can you imagine living a day without music? Or having a month without your iPod or mp3 player? Just think of how the world would be if you were not able to hear your favorite song echo through a speaker. Well, the way that music players have branched out over the years, there are no worries for not having music by your side for generations to come.
-
A night to remember
The night was just like any other dance we seniors had attended. North Marion’s Prom of 2009 hit it off from the start. Students danced to songs including “Just Dance”, by Lady Gaga and “When You Say Nothing at All.”
-
A musical journey
On April 23, East Fairmont High School’s Elizabethans and My Fair Ladies began their eight-hour journey to Williamsburg, Va.
-
A new outlook
When you think of the city of Fairmont, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Perhaps it’s the courthouse — nestled in the heart of downtown, a depiction of regal architecture that is a symbol of our city’s history. Or maybe you think of the “Million Dollar” bridge that connects east and west side; an optimistic landscape which is a more recent addition to Marion County. Then again, you may picture a site that is connected to your own personal memories. -
Making it worthwhile
During the spring and the fall, a very important event happens to a selected group at Fairmont Senior High School. This event is the inductions of the National Honor Society.
-
Cell phone nation
Are cell phones taking over the nation?
Is it just me or does it appear that everywhere you turn someone is using a cell phone? -
In praise of the humble elective
With an economy that can at best be described as “chilly,” it makes sense that Americans are turning more and more to the majors and careers that seem like sure things. Why get a degree in medicine? Well, you could be a doctor. Interested in advertisements? Have you considered going into ... advertisement?
-
Bittersweet new beginnings
Now that spring has finally arrived, students in their senior years have one main goal — get to graduation!
It has been a long 13 years of report cards, field trips, dances, sporting events, friendships, and yes, even some fighting. -
Free Spirit Conference ’09
It’s your special perfect day and a thunderstorm starts to move in, causing all the banners, balloons, the perfect hair, etc. to become distorted.
After this treacherous day do you pack your bags and give up? - More Cold Pizza Headlines
-
