Everyone’s version of financial security is different. For some, it’s having the ability to afford college, save for retirement, and enjoy a quiet life without debt. For others, it might mean traveling the world, owning a luxury car, and never having to pay attention to a price tag. These students describe the lifestyle or level of financial security they hope to achieve in the future. Here’s what “enough” looks like for college students from across the country.
1. Continuing education
If you’re in college, you already understand the value of furthering your education. But even with the help of student loans and scholarship opportunities, the price of higher education can often be costly. Saffinatu, a Bloomsburg University student, shares how being a life-long learner without the price tag would be more than “enough”:
“I dream of being able to go to school as long as I want without worrying about student loans. I want to study art, literature, history, languages and delve deeper into scientific discovery, not because I’m chasing a high-paying job but because I’m passionate about learning. I envision a life where I can attend seminars, take courses, and do research simply because knowledge excites me. ‘Having enough’ means I won’t have to choose between feeding myself and funding my education.”
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Saffinatu S. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania |
2. Staying healthy
Financial security goes beyond paying bills or affording an extra caffeinated drink during finals week. It’s about the freedom to live healthily without worry, proving that health really is wealth. Lisa, a student at Tufts university, shares how she would be content with enough time and space to focus on her well-being:
“Financial security is mental health. It is the ability to enjoy slow mornings a few times each week instead of the constant demands of two jobs and a side hustle that requires all of my spare time, which is often worth twice as much as paper money. It is the autonomy to pick up my kids from school or attend midday events without concerns of falling behind at my job. It is where I can go to a yoga class to clear my mind and support my physical longevity which are ultimately the most valuable assets I own.”
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Lisa O. Tufts University |
3. Affording little luxuries
For many students, achieving financial security is about the simple pleasures. Some underrated luxuries are the ability to upgrade a product when needed, to choose the name brand over the generic option if desired, or to treat yourself from time to time. Caleb, a student at BYU-Idaho, shares his vision of a life where those small comforts are always within reach:
“It would be amazing to have a nice car that never made any concerning noises and I knew would last for years. I’d love to have clothes that look nice and never think twice about buying the best smelling deodorant. I would be more than happy if I had a home gym and could eat steak every week.…That’s the life I’m working towards- one goal and one day at a time.”
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Caleb O. Brigham Young University - Idaho |
4. Being generous
As a student, it’s easy to slip into survival mode, just trying to make it to the next paycheck or latest refund check from financial services. However, many of your peers are facing similar struggles, which is why small acts of affordable kindness can go a long way. A Quinnipiac University student shares how having enough means making sure that others do, too:
“I hope to ‘have enough’ to not only support myself, but to also help those around me. I hope that my couch is big enough for a neighbor to spend the night if their house isn’t safe. I hope I can cover a meal for someone in need without thinking twice. I hope I can leave good tips and raise money for the softball team down the street. I don’t need to have no ads on Spotify, the nicest car on the market, or new shoes for every event. If I have access to nutritious foods, warm showers, and healthcare, I am grateful for what I have.”
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Eve B. Quinnipiac University |
5. Travelling annually
Saving up for a vacation can take time, especially if you are sticking to your budget and managing other short-term goals. Don’t get discouraged though, as living minimally and investing in experiences often bring more joy than just buying things. For Jordan, an Augustana College student, “enough” looks like being able to explore new places around the globe:
“Traveling and experiencing all the world has to offer is something that is deeply important to me. I genuinely enjoy everything that encompasses traveling whether that be roadtrips, flights, nature, cities, all of it I love. So in the future I really want to prioritize taking one trip a year where I can experience something new.”
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Jordan F. Augustana College |
6. Having a peaceful home
"Having enough" can be as simple as creating a space that nurtures comfort and joy. Whether it’s recreating a happy childhood or building the home you always wished for, a safe and healthy environment is a worthy goal. A UNC - Charlotte student shares that her long-term financial aspiration is to have a peaceful home:
“The sound of birds chirping, ducks splashing, cows mooing, chickens clucking, flag pool swooshing in the wind, and giggles of little humans playing in the sun. As I sit on my porch swing reading with a cup of coffee in my hand and my husband is cooking breakfast. The house I sit in is filled with food, clothes, books, toys, blankets, schoolbooks and all the necessities to raise a healthy family…On the side of the house lies our garage with a well-equipped gym inside. A place where my family will come to build muscle and stay fit. What “having enough” looks like for me is knowing I can always provide a place for my family where they can come to call home, be belly full, read, workout and relax.”
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Mary Margaret B. University of North Carolina - Charlotte |
7. Following a passion
When you think about your dream job, the first thing you picture probably isn’t the large salary or employer-matched 401(k) plan. While those perks may be a great addition, chances are that the perfect job will be something that you truly love. Viterbo University student Davin shares his vision of a career that would be “enough”:
“Everyone has heard the phrase ‘starving artist.’ It certainly does paint a picture;a scrawny guy on the sidewalk, with a wiry goatee and a paintbrush in his hand, proudly presenting his avante garde masterpiece to a crowd of maybe two dozen. For as beautiful as art is, it sadly is a difficult place to find financial security…‘It’s unrealistic to expect to become some big shot Hollywood star or famous director, but I believe I can make money from various jobs on and off the stage. ‘Having enough’ for me would be having enough money to afford two meals a day, with a well rounded diet. ‘Having enough’ would be having enough clothes to get through a whole week. ‘Having enough’ would be a roof over my head, even if its a crowded two room apartment with leaks. Is it glamorous? No. But I’ll be living the life that I want to and doing what I love most.”
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Davin W. Viterbo University |
8. Providing for family
If you come from a good support system, you may feel that you can never repay your family for what they’ve given you. Even writing a check for $100,000 may seem like it could cover even half of it. Ayla from the University of Kentucky shares how having the financial resources to reciprocate support to her family would be “enough”:
“Another desire of my heart is repaying my parents for all they have done for me. My parents have given me the life many dream of. I got my dream first car, I live in a lovely home, and I don’t want for hardly anything. They have gone above and beyond in order to spoil and bless me and my siblings. I hope to one day give back to them and shower their lives with everything they gave me growing up and more. I hope to one day retire them both if I find myself blessed enough to do so.”
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Ayla W. University of Kentucky |
9. Attending special events
Big life events are moments you want to share with the people closest to you. Your family and friends will do their best to be there, but other responsibilities, like providing for their own families, can get in the way. Kya from Trinity University shares how “enough” would mean always attending every family gathering:
“Growing up, I watched my mother push through everything—exhaustion, illness, and emotional strain—because she had no choice. I’m in awe of her, and her example instilled a sense of commitment in me that I’ll carry for life. But not only did she work through her bad days—she missed our family’s good ones too. During my senior year of high school, I had a special wrestling match honoring seniors. My grandmother and uncle came, but my mother couldn’t. She brought me flowers and a poster on her lunch break, but she wasn’t financially able to take the evening off. I want the financial freedom to say yes to life’s big and little moments—weddings, funerals, family reunions, and school events.”
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Kya L. Trinity University |
10. Creating generational wealth
For some, “having enough” means finding contentment. For others, it may mean striving for a level of success that removes financial worry entirely. Ryan, a student at Florida Atlantic University, shares how he wants to create a lasting personal finance legacy for future generations:
“My ideal future would be to have so much money that it isn’t even a thought anymore. And what I mean by that is that I want to have so much money that I never have to worry about whether I can afford to go out to eat or buy this gift for my wife/kids. I want to be so wealthy that I can retire my parents and they can live off my wealth instead of their 401k plan. I want to be so wealthy that my wife or kids could casually mention a country/place and I can surprise them with a vacation there that same weekend. I want to be so wealthy that my family will learn from me and continue to thrive for many generations after I pass.”
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Ryan J. Florida Atlantic University |
Having enough may look significantly different to you than it does to your best friend, neighbor, classmate, or influencer on social media. Maybe financial security means paying off all of your student loan debt, being able to cover your medical bills if you were to be injured in an accident, or never having to borrow money again. The bottom line is that “having enough” is what you make it, as you have to define it for yourself. Shoot for the moon, and even if you fall short, you may find that what you’ve achieved is more than enough.
WHAT'S NEXT?🤑Would $1,000,000 be enough? Check out how these Students Answer 'What Would You Do With a Million Dollars?' 👨💻Does all this talk about financial security have you thinking about the future? Check out How to Choose a Career After College. |