Tesar-Reynes

Yesterday at the grocery store, I accidentally bumped my cart into a 50-year old looking lady in the checkout line. Rudely, she pushed my cart back into my midsection. A sharp pain ran through my waist as the lady shot a look back at me saying, “How dare you!”

I apologized, then looked down at my cart to survey my purchase. Eggs, steak, salmon, chicken, bread. “Hope it all adds up to $40,” I thought.

An angry voice appeared out of nowhere in my head. “Well, if this stupid baby-boomer in front of me hadn’t screwed up the economy, maybe I’d have the grocery budget to afford some milk!”

I laughed to myself and chalked up my rage to frustrations I share with this years graduating class. On Sunday, the front page of the Times Fashion and Style section read, “Say Hello to Underachieving.” A piece on graduates and their lack of productivity this summer followed. This quote rang true:

“School’s out for summer 2009, and instead of getting a jump on the boundless futures that parents and colleges always promised them, students this year are receiving a reality check.”

Boundless futures sounds about right. So right, in fact, most of us took out loans because we thought the investment would payoff. First payments to Sallie Mae are due in September. Can’t wait!

I gave a call over to old Sallie today to extend my repayment plan. It will help, but without a salary, I’ll be up a creek regardless if I don’t find work soon.

It helps to know, I’m not the only student suffering. A Facebook friend’s status today said, “Sallie Mae is one hell of a douche bag.”

Yes. Yes she is. Her predatory lending ways don’t seem to differ from those of her cousin Fannie. It would have helped, Sallie, if you had mentioned you charge interest everyday. By the time I’m done paying her back, it will double what I borrowed. Tony Soprano doesn’t even charge that many points.

I’ll admit. I’ve somewhat coasted through life since finishing school. I could benefit from someone lighting a fire under my derriere.

Hey Sallie, thanks much for the wake-up call.