I never thought that this economy would fall so low as it has in the past months. Being seventeen and still in high school the dramatic effects have not completely hit me. I do not rely on my job to supply my needs, only extra spending money and money to save in the bank. My parents are the people who supply me with the things that I such as food, a house to shelter me and anything else they will supply me with. That’s what parents are for right? They are there to love and care for their child and I am thankful to have great parents that do so.

Therefore my life is affected when my parents' lives are affected because I depend on them still. When prices go up and incomes don’t it makes my parents stressed because it is not as easy to live comfortably. Recently my dad's overtime has been cut ,shortening his paycheck which makes my family, as a whole, more budget conscious. I am thankful that we are financially stable, but it often makes me feel guilty asking for money even when it is for something that I may need.

In the past weeks I have pondered my future and have thought about how I am going to afford college, and if I should go to OCC on the STARS program or stick it out and go to a university . It's something that I have gone back and forth on, and I want to make the best choice possible so I can start my adult life on the right foot. Money plays a big role in this decision, I don’t want to get out of college and have massive amounts of loans to pay off, but at the same time it would be nice to gain my independence away from home. I’ve been working in the mall lately to try to save a little bit more and eventually save up for some of the expenses.

Placed in perspective, I have little to worry compared to families that have lost their jobs, but money is still a great concern. The economy has affected almost everyone, and the best we can hope for is a turn for the better.