[rigged-system]

I sometimes think about debt the same way. In college I scraped by on ramen noodles and avoided doing anything that cost money. For example I wanted to go camping but didn't have say, $100 for a tent. If I had just put the $100 on my credit card, I'd probably have happy memories with friends, but now I can't get that experience back for any price.

[rorykoehler]

When I was in college I was broke one summer and not keen on working as I was heavily invested in producing music (which wasn't paying at the time). I took a £500 credit card and then immediately blew it on a weekend at the Edinburgh fringe festival. I spent 3 weeks eating plain white rice afterwards until I started working because I had to as that was all I had left at home. Though I'm now interested in FIRE and have a family and this behaviour is the opposite of what is required I'm still happy I did it. One of the best memories I have. I should note that I definitely did this from a position of privilege and if shit really hit the fan I could have always swallowed my pride and asked for a family bail out. Not sure if I would feel the same way had this not been the case.

[enjeyw]

> I should note that I definitely did this from a position of privilege and if shit really hit the fan I could have always swallowed my pride and asked for a family bail out.

I think this is really insightful. The difference between being truly poor and just being a broke college student is that while a broke student may not have any money on their pocket, they can always call it quits if things just too hard.* Makes me think more carefully when people claim "hey I know what it's like to be poor too - I had no money at college!"

*assuming they're not also truly poor.