Wealthy 20-year-old college student gets told off by friend group for going into debt on purpose: 'I could just pay off the debt using my trust fund'

Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor

Mar 2, 2026 3:00 PM EST

At age 20, this woman still has a lot to learn about managing her finances.

Look, I know that when you're 20 you're an adult, but while you're in college, you're still a very young baby adult.

You've experienced a little bit of the world, but you're also still learning new things every day.

There are still tons of experiences in the world that you just haven't had access to yet.

In this person's case, that includes having a full-time job. I know a lot of us worked through our college years, but those retail jobs don't bring in a whole lot of money. (Plus, that money just goes right back into paying for text books and colleges courses.)

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via Wesley Tingey

Wealthy teen college girl sits on fountain outside expensive home.
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This woman is also incredibly privileged, as she does acknowledge while sharing her story. She comes from wealth, and she knows that most people don't. That alone is refreshing to hear — so many people let the money change them and totally forget what it's like to have 0 money for gas or treats or food.
Still, being the wealthy one in the friend group can certainly make the dynamic awkward. Even if you all try not to talk about it or make it a big deal, the unspoken awkwardness pervades. This manifests in big and small ways — like if the whole friend group goes out to eat, and one person orders the cheapest menu item and water, while the rich friend gets multiple drinks and a pricey dinner, it won't go unnoticed.
People were actually pretty harsh with this 20-year-old, and I don't totally agree with them. I think she's a little bit sheltered, but I see where she's coming from. She wants to learn financial literacy through real-world experience. She can't really achieve real-world experiences due to her wealthy position in life, so she's manufacturing them for herself. Even though what she's doing is, well, a little distasteful, I think if she'd just kept this as a private exercise, it could be meaningful to her. So what if she acquires debt? If she wants to learn, and can easily pay it off, too, there's really no reason she shouldn't do that.
But uh… don't let that slip to the friend group. You really do have to keep that to yourself. I mean, just read what she wrote, and see what you think about it.
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Am I the a*sh*le for NOT acting wealthy?

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via Wesley Tingey For Unsplash+

Wealthy teen college girl stands proudly in front of large home with perfect lawn.
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Commenters were brutally honest!

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"Read the room" is very good advice.
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They're not wrong

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Awkwardness abounds

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This girl could consider these comments part of her financial lesson

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Another good point...

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She may think she's being subtle about her wealth, but upon this introspection, perhaps not!