I was raised to be financially independent during my teen years. When I was young, my parents offered me and my siblings chores, and at the end of the week we would receive an allowance. That is how I began my savings, and started spending my own money before I landed a job years later. When I got a job at 16, my parents would pay minimum for my expenses; I bought my own clothing, games, books, and electronics - I even paid for a school trip to Costa Rica! Do not get me wrong, they would pay for the family outings, dinners, and trips, but whatever expense that I desired to contain for myself, I would pay for it. During that period, I thought it was unfair that other parents bought items their children, but not mine. But then, I did not realize