On money, at fourteen

I first became conscious of money at the St. Leo’s fair. Middle school.

I didn’t have any of my own money to spend, so naturally, I asked my parents for it. They graciously gave me $20 for ride tickets, food, and bingo. Safe to say I came home with a full stomach and absolutely nothing else to show for it. I remember feeling guilty. My parents worked for that money and I did nothing besides ask for it. At the time, they were everything: transportation, guidance counselors, and my own personal family bank. It felt wrong.

Unfortunately, it’s not exactly easy to land a job in your early teens. Sure enough, I asked my mom to help me. We got in the car and drove around to places that might hire me, but more importantly, somewhere I could walk to on my own.

There was a Gulf gas station about a quarter mile from my house. Half the station was full service, which made it the perfect setup. We met with Kola and Anne-Marie, the lovely couple who still run the station to this day, and somehow I got the job.

I started at $7.50 an hour working four days a week. Over the next four years I saved up around $5,000. I had more money than most of my friends at the time, but more importantly, it gave me freedom. By 18 years old I was heading into college with what felt like a real bankroll.

I was admitted to the University of New Haven. After my first semester, I had burned through all of the money I spent years saving.

I learned that it really doesn’t matter how much money you make. If you spend it all you’ll end up with zero eventually.