[ZTAngel]

A friend of mine worked 40+ a week while in college and he always gave me a hard time because I never had to work while in college. While I think it's admirable that he worked that hard to pay his tuition, I would always get offended when he thought of me as spoiled and unthankful for what my parents did for me. My parents did Florida Prepaid. For anyone unfamiliar with Florida Prepaid, it is a system that allows parents, grandparents, or whoever to lock in a future student to the cost of tuition, dorms, etc. for that year. You then invest your money throughout the years into the Florida Prepaid system. My parents invested the day I was born in 1981 so my tuition was completely covered and my parents only had to pay the 1981 tuition price. (Unfortunately, the state of Florida did away with this last year) On top of Florida Prepaid, I had 4 scholarships. Since my tuition was paid for, I used my scholarship money for my books, rent, utilities and sorority. I managed my own finances. My parents didn't mail in a rent check to my landlord and they didn't pay my credit card bills. It was my responsibility to make sure all these expenses were paid on time. It was my responsibility to budget how much money I had for the semester after my scholarship checks came through. My parents wouldn't give me more money if I decided to blow all my money on partying every night or buying a bunch of clothes.
I will never take for granted that I never had to work while in school. It gave me more time to study for my classes, do an internship, and hang out with my friends. I worked during the summer or during winter break.
To show my thanks to my parents for all they've given me, I completed my degree in 4 years and I got really good grades.
My parents worked very hard to give me a good home and a great lifestyle. If that means I'm spoiled, then so be it. I only hope that one day I can give to my kids what my parents were able to provide to me.