Money may be green but it surely does not grow on trees. Instead, it is achieved through hard work, sweat and dedication. It is not something that can be easily handed to you just because you scream at the top of your lungs, “I’m a broke high schooler” or “I need money to go out.” So what should you do instead? Get your lazy butt off the couch and get a job.

Everything comes at a price and not everything is affordable. Teenagers tend to have the misshapen idea that everything in life is free. It is not. But what do teenagers do instead of working for their money? They play Fortnite and take Snapchat pictures of their victories.

Teenagers do not understand the struggles and sacrifices their parents go through on a daily day basis. There are parents who need the money from work to pay bills and buy daily necessities. And to “throw” the money away or recklessly spend it does not benefit them. So, it is to time to stop dreaming about buying Supreme clothing or a brand new Mercedes. Instead, take a good look at the price tag, it is not cheap. Even college, for example, can be expensive even with financial aid and scholarships.

To put it in simple terms, the true value of money is at a loss. So instead of constantly asking your parents for money, be independent for once.. The only solution for this dilemma is to learn for yourself, get a job. It’s time to grow up and start saving up all the nickels and quarters.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 41 percent of high school freshmen, 65 percent of sophomores, 79 percent of juniors, and 87 percent of seniors currently work during the school year or following summer.

Everyone works – it is a part of life. More often than not, the only way for someone to truly understand what it means to spend a lot or a little is by earning money themselves. In order to acknowledge and recognize the struggles and sacrifices our parents made for us, but it also allows for us us to reach a consensus and understanding on how to be smart about what we spend.

“Getting a job definitely builds up some of your skills like your communication skills, problem solving skills, and gives you accountability skills,” senior Sam Amaya said.

Jobs can also teach teenagers work skills they need for their whole lives, such as how to fill out an application, how to interview, how to work responsibility and how to get along with co-workers and superiors. The work experience can allow students to explore potential career paths and determine if they really want to pursue that path after high school or not.

“The reason I got a job was you know just to build up my experience and my resume,” Amaya said.

The extra money also does not hurt. You can use the extra cash as spending money, like for food, clothes and when hanging out with friends. Obviously, teens love to spend your part-time earning on fun stuff, but you could also spend it responsibility. By saving all or part of your earnings, teenagers can make a major dent in their college expenses. This takes a load off of your parents and allows you to avoid the costly student loans.

“Having money going to school events like games, theatre shows or leadership events is great. The job could help you save some money for SATs and also start saving up for college,” junior Kassie Peralta said.

Build experience, self-reliance and important skills are among some of the best benefits that many teens see from part-time work. Thus, they are also among the best reasons for teenagers to get an after-school job.