A few years ago I renamed “office hours” as “help hours” in order to entice more students to come talk to me. I have a few “regulars” who come every week, sometimes even when they don’t have specific questions. These few hours are important so I get to know my students better, and I cherish it.
During one of the help sessions, “Jayla” started telling me about her job. She mentioned how she works at a restaurant at the mall, and how she hated it. Apart from her job description, she was also unofficially in charge of translating between other restaurant staff and the customers. Jayla mentioned she is glad she is earning a university degree so she can get a better job later, unlike her coworkers. She reiterated how much she hated her job.
This is all fine. However, then she started mentioning all the things she is buying with the money she earns, especially shoes. Not just any shoes, but blue shoes (Blue Suede Shoes? HAH!). I live in a LCOL (Low Cost of Living area), so I doubt she earns anything substantial. “They are always releasing new blue shoes,” Jayla quipped. Even with her mask on, I could tell she was grinning.
I gently mentioned how she could save money so she can be more independent later. She is at most 21-years old, and I wish I knew about investing at her age. However, I was an international student in the U.S. and at that time had no plans to live in the U.S. permanently, so I wouldn’t have been receptive even if someone tried to teach me the basics. The conversation with Jayla inspired me to “have a talk” with my 65-student class about delayed gratification, investing, and FIRE. Stay tuned.
