Life before the United States plunged into this economic recession consisted of getting a summer job to earn a surplus of cash for superficial desires, (not to mention a brand new car) and having your parents pay for you to go to a top notch college. People spent money carelessly and focused their worries only on meaningless nonsense. This drastic plummet has caused us to direct our attention on sufficiently managing our limited funds.

This crisis not only affects the United States, as a whole, but more so Americans, individually. Not all families have been as fortunate as mine, although my parents are beginning to notice a reduction in their salaries. My mother and father own a medical billing service. While money being tight, we still manage to purchase the necessities, with a slight surplus of money. The subject of energy conservation and recycling is unavoidable. So, my family tries to utilize electricity only when necessary, and save a few cents by purchasing recycled materials and recycling cans and bottles. Lights are to be turned off when a person is not in a particular room. The blinds are to be left open as a heat source and to provide natural sunlight. The heating and air conditioning units are rarely in operation to cut down costs.

I have been mandated to get a job, but not solely for extra monies, also to assist my parents in making ends meet, which brings me to my next point: college. College will be a nearly impossible feat to accomplish, financially. Intuition will be increasing as salaries are decreasing. This will diminish many opportunities for students to attend college because, if this recession continues, the majority of students will not be able to afford to pay for college. None of my friends are overly wealthy, and it is a shame to restrict their abilities just because the United States is experiencing a depression. Also, those who are capable of paying for school, may be required to change their major. Their future goals may not land them a job in the field they have received a degree in. Professions in education and healthcare are being accredited for the most part. You may have to gear you future goals in order to cater to the American population.

Our nation has begun to monitor our budgets and impede unnecessary expenses. This crisis will restrict many students and could even prohibit them from attending college and experiencing the beauty of life.