By Elizabeth Davies
As a young Kiwi there is some kind of social expectation that any moment I will pack my backpack, sell all my worldly assets and effectively run away for a little while. My hard earned waitressing dollars will be stuffed into an unmarked envelope under my mattress along with every penny I can scrounge.
One day when I’ve finally saved enough I’m expected to spend every last dime on a one way ticket to London where I will boldly check in to a bed bug infested hostel, finally ready to prove myself and earn adulthood through mild discomfort and homesickness.
As tempting as that sounds, I think I’ll pass.
When I tell people I have no intention of jumping on the next Contiki tour and drinking my way around Europe I’m met with shocked and suspicious looks. How dare I not partake in the Kiwi rite of passage that is the OE?
I’m either shunned for my assumed lack of interest in travel, or I’m firmly told that I’ll change my mind because you can only do these things while you’re young.
I’m far from disinterested in other countries, in fact a trip to Japan would be my dream come true right now and as for the sense of immediacy, I’m quietly confident that the historical sites of Europe aren’t going anywhere in the next few years.
I have little desire to move to London, live with six other Kiwis, work in a pub, save desperately for quick weekend trips to Berlin and spend the rest of my time huddling in a sleeping bag, texting mum with numb thumbs, begging for care packages of pineapple lumps and vogels.
Rather than spending my life savings on my OE, I intend to use them as the foundation for my first home deposit. This suggestion is often met with dismissal from those around me, insisting that at 24 I’m far too young to be concerning myself with such things. Dare I tell them that I’m too old to not at least be considering my financial future?
It’s difficult to put into words this double standard and expectation people seem to have of my generation. We are accused of wanting everything immediately, not being prepared to put in the hard savings, not understanding the true meaning of financial discipline etc. However we are also expected to gain some mysterious life skills by getting the hell out of here. We are encouraged to throw caution to the wind, to take advantage of our youth and ‘live a little’.
Your mid twenties is a difficult age. Half of you wants to lie in bed and eat raw cookie dough, watch daytime TV and revel in the revival of the scrunchie.
The other half is reminding you that cookie dough is not a nutritional adult meal, the power bill is due, your rent is likely to increase in two weeks while your wages aren’t going anywhere and in the back of your mind you’re trying to think of a suitably alternative name for your future son and/or daughter.
I guess for me it’s a matter of priorities. I can be young, fun and a little irresponsible, or old, sensible and sure, a little bit boring. I’ve made my choice and I’m happy with it, so please take back your disapproval and hold the side of pity. .My OE will wait.
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Elizabeth Davies is a 24 year-old graduate of the Auckland University of Technology post graduate journalism course. She lives with her partner in Epsom and spends her free time refurbishing vintage furniture and attempting to bake while fighting a daily battle against her bank balance. She writes a weekly article for interest.co.nz on money matters and financial struggles from a young person's perspective.
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