The U.S. Economy...to me personally

Quite often teenagers don’t realize the entirety of the U.S. Economy—what it does for its citizens, how it impacts other countries or how other countries impact it, and, most importantly, how it affects each and every one of its peoples personally. Every single person in the United States has been affected tremendously by the outcome of the economical situation, whether you are a mom, a dad, a sister, a brother, a worker, a bum, rich, poor, young, or old. In my life, I have been personally affected by the economy’s situation in many different ways. The crisis has also affected my major choice for college, my interests, and my post college plans.

Since the U.S.’s downfall, I have learned to adjust to the current financial crisis many of us face today. Gas prices, food prices, utility bills, and “bills” in general have all increased drastically. Even the price of “fun” and “entertainment” has increased. Job opportunities and money are both getting harder and harder to come by. I have personally been affected by all of these different happenings. I have major responsibility and main priority in life right now, and that is to provide, love, and protect my 5 month old son. So when the money going out of my income gets smaller and the money coming in my income gets bigger, it gets really difficult to maintain stability. Because of my son and also the way things have ventured for the economy, my view of the future has had to change because what I need to do has become more important than what I want to do.

Because what I need to do has become more important that what I want to do, I have had to reconstruct my future, so I am more sure than not that I will be stable for the future, by changing my choice of a major in college. Nursing is an important job and skill that the economy is sure to need. With this job I am sure to find a decent income and a job wherever I need. For others, the option of changing their future plans could be too soon, or could be too late (depending on ages.) I am lucky that nursing and the medical field is of interest to me because for many it could be the complete conjugate situation compared to mine. Say I wanted to become a professional dancer, but with the way things have become, is that what the economy is going to need in the future?

Which brings me to my next subject; the economy has also affected my post college plans. In order to find a good providing job, I have to be wise in my choice of career. I need to become more aware of all the job losses already in the United States and apply that to choosing mine and my son’s future. Also finding a stable living environment is a factor to my post college plans. This is a major factor because not only can I consider this an option by itself but it interweaves with the other factor of finding an appropriate career. I have to find a good environment but it also has to be a place where medicine will benefit, and a place where workers are in need. All these things intertwine together.

Lastly the economy has also affected my interests. I love to have a care free mind set and take life spontaneously, but when your future could potentially be at risk you have to consider another emotion—worry. It seems my mind cannot spend time considering my interests but instead my time is consumed worrying if I will have enough money to pay bills, pay for gas, or buy food. I have to think quickly and make plans because I have to think about “what if”. What if I lose my job tomorrow? How will I support my family? What if my family can’t live solely on my support, can I get help? Where will I be in 5 years? Are we safe? What kind of preparations can I be making if things don’t improve? These are all things that have affected my interests because of the economy, and I can’t seem to remember but few of my interests.

The U.S. Economy has a lot on their hands as of the years to come. It is hard to predict an outcome, be it far away or close from the future, with all the “iffy” situations it possesses. Each American should be able to say they concernedly understand or pertain interest to the economy and its entirety. It is a part of everyone’s life, whether they know or understand the impact now or later. As for me, I know and understand now, how the rise and fall of the U.S. Economy has personally affected me.