Money makes  the world go around. Some people have it and some people don’t, and unless you’re a philosopher peering deeply into the meaning of life, money does buy happiness. Nowadays, there are generous, loving parents who are willing to shovel out loads of cash to help pay for the expensive cost of teenage life. Then there are the teenagers like me who have to work long and hard for that minimum wage paycheck.

When other teens are racing of to practice or going home to pretend to do homework, I’m speeding down to Papa Murphy’s for another shift at work. As much as I’d like to say making delicious pizzas for rude, crabby customers is fun, it’s not. And if my coworkers and I aren’t dealing with customers, we’re scrubbing floors with brushes and sponges. The work isn’t particularly difficult, but it’s almost not worth the mere $7.25 per hour wage. But at the end of a pay period when I see my paycheck all totalled up, it reminds why I choose to stick with this job.

The fact that I have to work for my money makes me more conservative of it. As much as I would love to go and blow my whole checking account on a car that doesn’t make dinosaur noises when I step on the gas, I can’t bring myself to do it. It’s also nice not having to run to my parents every time I need money to pay for my new kicks or my Caribou fix. After I fill up the gas tank and pay  my portion of the car insurance and cell phone bill, I have free reign to do whatever I want with my money, as long as it’s legal.

There’s probably a part of me, deep, deep, deep deep down that is glad that I have to work hard to pay for the things I want. It’s definitely taught me how to be more independent

and has given me a little taste of what the real world will be like, which, spoiler alert, is going to be nice slap of bitter berries in everyone’s face. Although I enjoy the independence and financial freedom, I sure wouldn’t mind having my parents chip in a few cents now and then.