Isn't it wonderful when:
You realize you've already completed some of the assignments you thought you were behind on
Your dear, wonderful, fabulous parents send you quarters for laundry
Your room is clean
You remember that you have that one, last paycheck that you still haven't deposited, so you're not as broke as you were.
Yes, it is wonderful. The end.
I've found myself, in the past two months as a college student, to somehow have involuntarily created my own little case study about debt. I feel like Barbara Ehrenreich in her book Nickel and Dimed where she poses for a few months as a minimum wage worker. Or, like that guy who made the McDonalds movie and experience life as a McDonalds only consumer. Only, like I pointed out, my self made case study was completely involuntary. However, since I'm already involved in it, I might as well do as any scholar would and analyse it.
Part One: I arrive at school Upon my arrival at UVM, I was armed with a little straw basket full of quarters, ready to be squandered away on laundry whenever I needed. One might compare this to a young person going to live on their own and investing in an apartment. They begin their life with enough money to pay rent, buy food and a few luxury items here and there. Life is good.
Part Two: Where have all my Quarters Gone? Suddenly, my stock pile of quarters has disappeared. I've used them all. Maybe I wasn't conserving my clothes and towels like I should've been, but I tried, really! Maybe I didn't try to fit two loads of laundry into one, but who would? The situation becomes dire as I watch other kids getting stacks of quarters from grandparents (what could be compared in my example, to inheritence) and yet others going to the conveniently located Bank North to get stacks (what could be viewed as accessible, because Bank North is close, and well saved money in my example). But I have none... So I borrow them from Kate. Which, obviously is where the debt comes in. It's like that young person starting a new life that I mentioned. They've run out of money and must resort to... dun dun dunn..... borrowing.
Part Three: Laundry Pile is Sky High Borrowing has saved me once, but I still have no quarters to deal with my new, quickly growing pile of laundry (despite efforts to wear the same shirts multiple times--without smelling bad, duh--and re-using towels). But I think to myself, no, I won't borrow any more quarters. I will go to the really, really far away bank that's almost never open (Thanks Chittenden) and get my own. Just like the person in my example might resolve to save money and pay off the debt while still having enough to support her in the future. But no... Life is not that easy. Because of an incredibly full schedule and no car (just like the person in my example might not have access to transportation and might have to work long hours) there is no time to go downtown. But rent, so to speak (my laundry) is due. I try to hold out, I even borrow a friends towel (which in my example could be viewed as, say, foodstamps, because they do not have to be paid back), but I can't. So, I scrounge, and eventually have to borrow three quarters (significantly less than last time). I am saved by borrowing, once again.
Part Four: What Will the Future Hold? I plan to go to the bank on Monday and get some quarters. But I already owe thirteen quarters to other people (Kate and Sasha). Just like the person in my example probably owes most of their paycheck to the debt people. Will this push me further into debt? Hopefully not. But now I know what it's like and I won't ever really get into debt, because I can see how it would be hard to get out.
So, in conclusion, I'm learning a lot at college, as you can see.
And, my second conclusion: if you really love me, you'll send me quarters so that I don't have to empty my bank account for the sake of laundry. Even though all the people who read this (mainly grown-ups) have to empty their wallets for annoying, short lasting things like laundry all the time. But I'm a poor college student, feel bad for me and send me quarters.
In conclusion, if anyone really misses me and wants to know how they can make a huge, positive impact in my life and forever reserve a spot in my heart, you can send me quarters. The End.