Conclusion

Over the last 10,000 years we have seen our society evolve from bands of nomadic hunters and gatherers into the industrialized nation that we live in today. (RCA pg. 29) Instead of roaming the land freely hunting game as our ancestors did, it seems that adults in this day and age devote most of their time to getting that money. In my study I compared what college students on campus spend their money on as opposed to those living off campus. With different needs and wants from each other, they defined certain things more important due to scarcity and what was available. In every culture, there is some type of monetary exchange between it's members where the main purpose is to acquire what is needed to survive and thrive. (RCA pg. 59) For example, kids living on campus spend very little money on transportation because most things they need are accessible on foot or by bike. While students living off campus need to commute to get to class so a large portion of their money is spent on gas or for the bus. Another big discrepancy I found was how much students spent on food. Those living on campus got meal plans so they didn't spend a lot of their own money on food. Where as those living off campus need to feed themselves. This is the first time for a lot of students living completely on their own with out mommy or daddy to look after them. They gain this new sense of freedom and how they regulate their decisions and lives is completely up to them. This is a great example of political capital. (RCA pg. 63) Where people choose to put their money has a huge effect on the economy. Today, modern economy thrives off of small businesses and providing services that cost nothing to start but can be translated into profit. This process is known as capital conversion. (RCA pg. 63) The decisions we make on what we buy can have either a positive or negative effect on the economy. For example, in my study the biggest percentage of money spent was on recreation. In Humboldt County we know that a lot of people habitually smoke marijuana for recreation. So giving that 20 dollars to the homeless drug dealer in town most likely won't help us get out of this economic recession. On the other hand, this is a college campus so the consumption of alcohol is everywhere. Instead of spending that 20 dollars on the black market and taking it to the liquor store where items our taxed that money is directly deposited into the economy. We have a greater impact in this world than we may think. What we do and what we buy directly affect our economy. In the years to come the ones we call students today will be transformed to hard working, tax paying Americans. If we want to see our country thrive its up to us.