As a college student, one often finds themselves lacking in funds. It is not so much that one always lacks money but $4.50 Starbucks drinks take precedent over sleep, $6.50 movies are much more worthwhile than studying, and keeping a car running saves one from the dangers of hitch hiking or, God forbid, walking.
The point is, these costs add up. Throw into the mix a credit card that you only have to pay attention once a month, or once every other month, be limited to minimum wage part-time job opportunities and you have a recipe for debt. Toss in a struggling Grad student who is smarter with money, but unemployed and having to pay for expenses, and the debt balloons.
I was blessed though. I had two wonderful parents who rather, than see my credit score plummet, decided to pay off my debt. Not only in college, but again in grad school. It wasn’t a free pass. My dad kept very good records and I am expected to pay that money back. There was never any interest on the debt nor was there a time frame to pay it back. But as of today, I still owe $3781 after already paying back $4025 (I told you it added up). I would love to have every cent returned to them by the end of this year if possible.
[...] After a little consideration but a lot of praying, I have decided step out in faith and join my friend on this trip. I will be down there from July 19 to July 25, 2009. However, I cannot do this alone. I have to raise $1000 in order to pay for my flight, lodging, food and the construction supplies necessary to assist. One of the reasons I had to pray a lot about this trip is that I have never done a missions trip before. The largest reason I have not, is because I hate asking other people for money. I have never even liked asking my own parents for financial help. They had to impose their grace on me in order to pay off my credit card. [...]
[...] utkevdawg By the end of this month, I will have enough money in savings to completely pay off my debt to my parents or to completely pay of one of my student loans. This would put my bank account right around zero. [...]