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My Parents Won’t Give Me My $200K College Fund Just Because I’m Not Going To College

Author Jim Clerkin
Travel on yacht at sea. Couple in love relaxing and sailing on summer vacation. Beautiful travelers enjoying safe holiday and self isolation on sailboat. Successful lifestyle.

Everett’s parents have been saving a college fund for him and raised $200K. But Everett took a job painting boats and has decided he doesn’t want to go to college now. But he feels like they saved that money for him and they should still give it to him

Here’s Everett’s Call About His College Fund

Jonathan: Today for panic button we have Everett. Hey, Everett.

Danielle: Hello.

Jonathan: Hi, old timey name with the fancy new problem. Everett. You decided unlike everybody in Boston, you decided you weren’t gonna go to college. Why is that a problem? What’s going on?

Everett: Well, here’s the thing. I’d always intended to go to college, but before college came for me, I had a really fortunate opportunity fall into my lap. I have this really great job painting boats.

Jonathan: OK. Yeah, they can pay really well I’ve heard.

Danielle: Yeah.

Everett: Yeah, I mean it’s getting me by for sure and I’m really enjoying it, but here’s the catch. My whole life growing up, my parents kept saying you’re going to go to college, you’re going to college. And I said sounds great. And they said and guess what? We’re going to help you. So every paycheck they got, they put aside a little bit of money for me in a college fund. And at the end of my 18 years of growing, that accumulated to about 200K.

Jonathan: Wow.

Hand holding coins in glass jar, Financial business investment, Growing money, People saving money, Money for future, Money saving concept
Duanghathai Phitakjaroenwong/ Getty Images

Everett: So here’s the thing. I don’t think I need to and or want to go to college. I’m kind of enjoying this job.

Jonathan: I mean that college fund might cover a semester.

Everett: But I’m like, wow, that could really help with the down payment on a house that could really affect my adult life.

Jonathan: Sure. Yeah. Yeah, that would be great to have. Yeah.

Everett: So I think I want to use that college fund for myself.

Jonathan: OK.

Everett: Because my parents just have it. I mean, they saved it for me. It’s my money.

Jonathan: A down payment on a house. Or you could open up your own boat painting shop or whatever. So many things. So are they giving you the money? Obviously not. Cause you’re calling.

Danielle: So many ads.

Everett: So many opportunities. Right. Yeah. They said no. That money was for college. Well, we’re not doing college, so now what? The money’s not for you.

Jonathan: Yeah.

Everett: But I mean, it was for me. So now they’re saying it’s not for me and I don’t know. It’s weird because it’s like their money, but it isn’t their money. It’s mine.

Danielle: That sucks.

Everett: But they made it.

I Have To Pay For Everything

Jonathan: I can kind of see where they’re coming from, though. The reason they put the money aside was in preparation for you to go to college and get a degree and something that might be not necessarily more profitable, but more fulfilling, maybe. And I’m not saying a  manual labor job isn’t. And obviously you seem to like it, but it was something that they had plans for you and you didn’t fulfill those plans and they let you know that the money was for college, right?

Everett: Right.

Jonathan: And I’m assuming they didn’t like you not going to college.

Everett: Yeah, I mean that was always the plan.

Jonathan: There was a battle.

Everett: All right, this is how I looked at it. I was going to go to college so I could try to get a job, right? That’s the whole point. But I got the job, so why not just start at the end?

Danielle: Alright, well yeah.

Jonathan: Who do you side with on this? Everett’s problem is that his parents set aside $200,000 for him to go to college but he didn’t go to college. He paints boats for a living and makes good money at it. And now would like that money. Does he deserve it?

Everett: I think I deserve it. Yes.

Danielle: Yeah.

Jonathan: Does he deserve it? Everett thank you so much.

Danielle: Thanks.

Everett: Thank you.

Cheerful rich business man working on office laptop wasting throwing money to camera profit win (Redditors Share Their Weirdest Money-Making Stories)
Andrii Iemelyanenko/ Getty Images

What Do You Guys Think?

Each morning Jonathan and Ayla talks to someone about a problem that they need advice on. Then we take calls from all of you
Check out the advice and stories we heard this morning here:

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Jonathan Wier Jonathan Wier grew up in St. Louis where he was obsessed with the voices that came out of the radio. He would listen for hours wondering what that person on the other side would say next.

Jim Clerkin has been the producer for the morning show on Country 102.5 for the past five years. He has been on the radio in Boston for 25 years. He is also an accomplished club DJ, a referee for several local sports leagues and terminally single. Jim writes about the Country 102.5 audience, relationships and parenting.

Here's 9 Things I've Learned As A Parent In My Baby's 1st Year

Being a new parent is filled with unexpected twists, immense joy, and lots of lessons. As our son, Barrett, turns one today, I find myself reflecting on the past year. So much has happened! I promise I will try not to cry, but I have a box of tissues near me (just in case).

Barrett has had some incredible milestones in his first year. His tried his first solid food at 6-months old. I’ll never forget it. We were in Mexico and we gave him a mango. He was so happy and proud that he was holding a big piece of fruit in his hands.

Another big moment happened in the beginning of April when he crawled for the first time. My mom and I happened to get it on camera, which you can see below. While he’s not walking quite yet, he crawls really fast around the house. He now picks himself up off the ground and balances his body on the couch. Any day now he will be running around the house!

HUGE milestone for our baby. He CRAWLED!Obviously when you watch the video, the moment was very exciting for my mom and me. thankfully my phone was right next to me and I was able to catch this big moment. His face was fine by the way 😂

Posted by Ayla Brown on Monday, April 3, 2023

The experience has been humbling, enlightening, and all kinds of wonderful. My husband and I love our son so much and we’ve experienced so much with him in the first year of his life. We can’t wait for the next few years so we can experience other big milestones.

Pretty soon he’ll be walking, and then running, and then asking us to borrow the car!! HAHA. We are still many years from him driving a car, but it’s true that time flies by way too fast.

As we celebrate Barrett’s first birthday, we are not just marking the end of his first year but also the beginning of more adventures, lessons, and cherished memories. To all parents out there, whether you’re just starting out or are seasoned pros, cherish the journey. It’s immeasurably precious.

Things I’ve Learned Being A Parent In The 1st Year

  • Encourage Self-Play/Exploration

    We encourage our baby to play with toys that will help him with his motor skills. We really enjoy the Lovevery Boxes. You can choose boxes that come with safe, sustainable toys that encourage learning. While many people have bought him toys, we try and limit the amount that we have in the house. Usually his toys include musical instruments and the items from the Lovevery Boxes.

  • Let Your Baby See What You Do For A Living

    Your baby will learn from your actions. I always try and have him around when I am working so he knows and understands what I do for a living. While I’ve only brought him into the studio one time for about 20 minutes, some day when he gets older he’ll say, “My mom talks on the radio!” Always bring your baby into your life so he or she sees what you do! It’s also fun to show them off to your co-workers.

  • Take Him to As Many Places as Possible

    Whether it’s a stroll in the park, a visit to the grandparents, or even just a short grocery trip, every new environment is a sensory feast for your baby. These little expeditions contribute significantly to his cognitive and sensory development. We bring our baby EVERYWHERE. This picture was when we took him to Mexico. It was his first time on a plane and he did great!

  • Introduce Him to People Early in Life

    Human connections are the backbone of our lives. By introducing Barrett to various friends and family members, we’re helping him develop essential social skills and understand the world is full of diverse individuals. We allow many people to hold him and spend time with him. We don’t want him having attachment issues when he enters “toddler-hood” so we’re hoping this will help.

  • Trust Your Instincts

    Parenting books, advice from loved ones, and information online can sometimes be overwhelming. While they provide valuable insights, nothing beats a parent’s intuition. Trusting our gut feeling has often led us in the right direction.

  • Document Your Baby's Little (And Big) Moments

    It’s true what they say, time flies when you’re having fun. And this year with Barrett has flown by! Regularly taking photos, jotting down memories, or even making short videos has been a priceless way to cherish the fleeting moments.

    Ayla Brown and Barrett

    This was when I took Barrett to the TD Garden for his first Celtics game. I sang the National Anthem before the game.

  • But Put Down The Phones When Interacting With Baby

    Put the phone away if you are not taking pictures or videos of your baby. It’s important for them to know that they are the main priority. Babies can tell when you’re distracted on other things.

    Barrett

    Barrett LOVES to smile. And we love seeing his two bottom teeth poke through

  • Introduce Solid Foods As Early As You Can

    We introduced our son to solid foods at 6-months and we are so glad we did! He loves all types of food. At a year old he still has never had starches and sugar. The only carbs he’s had have been plant-based, and the only sugar has been from real fruits. We want to limit things like pastas and cakes as long as he can. By doing this, he eats all sorts of yummy real foods.

    I’m His Mother, Which Is Why My Son Is Eating Fried Chicken Already

  • Pray Every Night Together

    As Christians, it’s important to my husband and I to raise our son in a religious household. We pray with Barrett every night before putting him to bed. We thank God for the gift of being his parents and having him as a son.

  • Love You Barrett! Here Are Some Favorite Moments

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