I feel pretty lucky.

My summer tuition is taken care of by my employer, so my only expenses are food and housing.

Since I didn’t save much money from my job back home, my parents have agreed to pay my rent for the next three months.

It’s a pretty sweet deal, don’t you think?

At first, I thought it was fantastic. In my head, I imagined myself being able to buy the things I really wanted without having to worry about rent, tuition or, on occasion, groceries.

So, I did a really stupid thing and had a mini-shopping spree.

I bought some new gym shoes, shorts and a few tank tops. I went to the grocery store and bought a bunch of junk food. I started getting both lunch and dinner delivered to my office and apartment.

And then I looked at my bank account.

I spent so much money, and I didn’t realize until just the other day that only the majority of my tuition will be paid for.

I also didn’t realize that I didn’t buy enough groceries, or the fact that I still have to pay the utilities on my apartment.

So, what should I do? Ask my parents for more money?

That phone call can be so easy for many students.

“Hey mom, I ran out of cash. Can you loan me some money until I get paid?”

If your parents are anything like mine, that phone call leads to an hour-long lecture about saving money and the repeated phrases “you can’t always get what you want” and “money doesn’t grow on trees.”

While many college students are now relying on their parents to help them pay for school more than ever, we still need to remember that our parents are feeling the effects of the recession as well.

My dad has recently retired, and he is working two part time jobs. My mom changed jobs a few years ago, and she took a huge pay cut.

On top of this, they are also helping my other siblings pay for school, rent or just giving spending money whenever they can.

My parents aren’t rich by any means. They just seem to know how to stretch every dollar they have.

I, unfortunately, didn’t receive that gene.

So, even though I sometimes wish I could pick up that phone and ask for more, I will stop myself and appreciate the fact that they’ve given me so much already.

All in all, I guess I’m pretty lucky. Lucky to have parents who will still support me financially, even though I’m old enough to be taking care myself. Thanks, mom and dad.

Sarah Jean Bresnahan is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.