At this very moment, I was sitting in my car in a parking lot and reading about the discussions about rich kids, poor kids, FA, full pay, and dell lap tops, etc. Several years ago, we were shopping for a laptop for my daughter who was excited to go to her dream school with very geenerous finaical aid. In another words, we are rhe poor folks.
We set our budget for her laptop to $500. On face value, I told her that any laptop would do for taking notes and reading papers and I do not expect tbe computer to last long. In the back corner of my mind, it is because we really could not afford anything more expenexpensive. Not only that we could not affort it, I also wanted her to know. She is a grateful child and was happy that she have one to use.
After one year, I could not bear the thought she carrying the bulky computer whereever she went. We upgraded to an XPS.
She is grateful and her favorite word is gratitude.
I reminded her to not let money or family wealth be a barrier. It is much harder said than done.