Several students have found unique ways to make and manage their money. From investing paychecks to working multiple jobs, each student has a different approach to financial independence.
Senior Sam Vittitow works at ACE Hardware. When he receives a paycheck, he puts a portion of his money into investing accounts.
“I have several investment accounts” Vittitow said. “Essentially, I take my paychecks, I save money into an emergency fund, and I save it to a 529 account, which will grow over time.”
While Vittitow is a senior planning for his future, other students, like sophomore Faith Magruder, have a longer period until they graduate. Magruder finds work as a personal assistant for a family friend.
“It started out as me babysitting her kid, but over time, I started helping her around the house,” Magruder said. “I’ve cleaned for her, I’ve helped clean her garage, I’ve helped organize her stuff. I have renovated her basement. I moved furniture for her, and I’ve painted her house.”
Magruder appreciates the job’s flexibility as she balances it with her busy schedule.
“I have a super busy schedule between forensics, the play, and all other stuff I’m involved in,” Magruder said. “It’s a super flexible schedule; if need be, I could just cancel my day because she does the same for me.”
Junior Kadence Kreuzburg currently works at McDonald’s but is considering adding another job to make ends meet. Though she likes her current job, The amount of pay is a challenge for Kreuzburg
“I only make $10 an hour, and I work four days a week,” Kreuzburg said. “I’m currently trying to get a job at Walmart, either the El Dorado or the Augusta one, because they pay really well.”
For Kreuzburg, obtaining a second job is not about wanting extra money, it is a necessity.
“I don’t necessarily want two jobs. It’s the money aspect of it. I need as much money as I can because I’m struggling financially with just me and myself,” Kreuzburg said.
While many juniors seek traditional work, other juniors like Ethan Willis prefer not to work a normal job. He dislikes the structuring behind most jobs.
“I don’t have a problem working for people, like odd jobs,” Willis said, “but companies that make you do specific things, on time, with punishment, and the fact they can just drop you whenever, it’s scary.”
Willis does not feel pressured to work consistently.
“I don’t really want anything, that’s the thing,” Willis said. “If I do want something, I’ll ask my dad, and my mom just buys me stuff occasionally, like my truck; she bought me that.”
Though he does not seek a typical job, he sometimes works with his mom’s boyfriend.
“Sometimes, I go help my mom’s boyfriend do work,” Willis said. “He’s a plumber, sometimes he pays me to help him.”
