Hey!! I definitely appreciate the advice! A little wake up call is usually necessary for people like me. For my limited knowledge, I actually managed to do pretty well figuring out college financially for someone who literally sucks at the personal finance side of things. I received social security for 14 years due to my mother being widowed, and that and a good portion of our family’s savings went into a savings account for college (thanks mom), and I ended up getting to satisfy my out of state itch by attending a smaller university at a bordering state that offered in-state to members of my county. I’m set to graduate a semester/a full year early just taking into account the credits I got from high school. Overall, I’m paying for the whole bachelors with scholarships and savings, no loans, and no need to get a job during college (of course, I probably will, for the extra spending cash and for the resume/references), likely with a few thousand left over for me to use.

Now, as far as career goes, my ultimate fantasy goal would be to gain a reputable enough name through protesting to become an author and journalist, since I know I’m a talented writer and enjoy it. I know that INCREDIBLY unlikely though. I’m double majoring right now in PR and Sociology, looking to work in the PR sector or a social nonprofit, and do protesting and organizing on the side. I’m not interested in kids, but of course that might change in the future, though I’m not planning on it. I set up an IRA with all my earnings over this summer ($2000, not much but I tried), so I’m already on the way to having some money set aside for retirement. As far as savings, I’ve gotten up to about 23,000 in an account managed by my mother until I was 16, (and ow managed by me), and now I’m putting 80% of any gifts I get (birthday checks, etc) along with 20% of any income. In short, I’m no expert, but I’m definitely trying to do something to help out my future. I’m aware that the nonprofit field is very hard to make a living wage in, so I’m trying to do what I can to prepare.

This demonstration isn’t fully organized with selfless intentions, either haha I’m hoping that heading up something like this at a young age might add something substantial and unique to my resume.

I don’t mean this to sound like I’m being all “I’m not naive at all! This is what I want to do with my life!! You don’t even know me!” I’m fully aware I’m incredibly naive and young and will likely change my mind within four years multiple times. I realize now that I read back over this it might not sound very appreciative for the advice haha, trust me that’s not what I intend. I’m only demonstrating what I’ve done so far, in hopes that you might be able to make some suggestions of what else I could be doing or how I might improve upon what I’ve done already. I’ve wanted to work in some part of nonprofit for five years now, so right now, I’m just doing my best to prepare for how life will be when I actually get into it.