By: Cynthia Ayala

As a college student, it’s hard to make ends meat. So what happens? I use my credit cards. I hate using my credit cards. But I don’t make enough money to cover my rent and basic needs. Even with my family helping me out. I work 10 hours a week (school work-study max allotted) and make $9 an hour. And with school, studying, homework, I don’t have the time to get a second job and I need to make my work study. After all, the government did give me that money to earn for the school so I can’t exactly quit. Not that I would want to, it’s a nice job to have.

After rent, food, and transportation costs, my bank account is taking a hit. I am living off of my savings. And, unfortunately, like everyone else in this world, credit cards help. But after a while, as we all know, they tart to become draining. So I’m working had to not use them, to pay them off and even pay off my lower balance onto my larger credit card and then focus on just paying that one card off.

But it’s difficult. Especially because I’m subletting and have to put down first months, last month, security deposit and realtor/apartment fee. My total: $2 850. It’s affordable otherwise, but I had to do the worst thing ever. I had to ask my grandparents for help. She already helps me enough and I feel like I am taking advantage of her help and like I’m being selfish. And I am and I do not like being that person.

College is expensive as it is and living off campus is even worse. I wish I made more money or was able to get a second job, but unfortunately, my situation doesn’t allow for it. And I applaud those who are able to do it and escape credit card debt. I’m a responsible adult and my family and friends applaud my cheapness, my ability o avoid temptation and avoid using spending my money.

I would like to end with a quote that sums up how I feel:

❝The Antichrist is among us.
He is the plastic in our wallets.❞— Satan: Hijacker of Planet, Louise Erdrich