Meme-y
Step forward one step if:
Father went to college
Father finished college
Mother went to college
Mother finished college
Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor.
Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers
Had more than 50 books in your childhood home
Had more than 500 books in your childhood home
Were read children's books by a parent
Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18
Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18
The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively
Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18
Had or will have less than $5000 in student loans when you graduate
Had or will have no student loans when you graduate
Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs*
Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs*
Went to a private high school
Went to summer camp
Had a private tutor before you turned 18
Family vacations involved staying at hotels
Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18
Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them
There was original art in your house when you were a child
Had a phone in your room before you turned 18
You and your family lived in a single family house
Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home
You had your own room as a child
Participated in an SAT/ACT prep course
Had your own TV in your room in High School
Owned a mutual fund or IRA in High School or College
Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16
Went on a cruise with your family
Went on more than one cruise with your family
Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up
You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family
A couple of caveats/explanations:
- My great grandfather was a physician, but passed away before I was born. Not sure if that counts.
- I'm actually not sure what percentage of college my parents paid for. My first year and a half at college were heavily subsidized by my parents, and the VA paid for a big chunk of my tuition. But after my parents fell on hard times (divorce, etc), I paid for most of it by myself, with the occasional help. Not sure how that breaks down.
- I had a car in high school that wasn't a hand-me-down from my parents, but a hand-me-down from my brother... And it was bought for like $2K. Ended up costing me 3 times that much in upkeep over the next few years, though. So, the fact that my brother went through multiple cars makes me think I should bold that one, but not sure.
We were relatively well off for a good portion of my younger life, but it was also partially because my father liked to live beyond his means. It eventually caught up with us and made things difficult, but I can't honestly say I've ever *truly* been poor, though I've been through some pretty desolate times.
I think my children will be able to mark off a few more things than I have on the list, but who knows.
