What does personal responsibility mean to you? What are your personal responsibilities? Each and every person has their own set of personal responsibilities that they are completing each and every day. Personal responsibilities can change without warning and we must be ready to take action and accommodate for these changes as they occur. Personal responsibilities, to me means having a set number of tasks that I must do each and every day and be accountable and liable for the outcome of these tasks and the effect they have on my life. For example one personal responsibility that I have is the ownership of my own home.
Just over three years ago now I decided to purchase my own home. I was lucky enough to have a close family member that was looking to buy a larger home for his family, so I was given the opportunity to purchase a small three bedroom two bath home in the small town I grew up in. To be able to impark on such an investment was both scary and joyful at the same time. The investment has taught me about money management including monthly mortgage payments, upkeep/maintenance, and payment of expenses.
“Money management may be based on a simple idea, but there is a big incentive for us to make it seem more complicated than it really is. If we don’t understand money, then we don’t have to be responsible for it.” Becoming A Master Student, p.295). This investment, has taught me a great deal about money and the ability to manage my money, holding me responsible for the house as well as the money involved to pay for the investment. “There are three main steps in money management: First, tell the truth about how much money you have and how much you spend (discovery). Second, commit to spend less than you have (intention). Finally, apply the suggestions for earning more money, spending less money, or both (action)”, (Becoming A Master Student, p.295). Through the three basic steps of money management I have been able to budget monthly my paychecks to accurately and efficiently pay all bills and payments associated with homeownership. Knowing the truth behind the money we have and how much spending we do is very important when owning a home as the home (mortgage) and bills must be paid for before we can go and spend money on other items. Having all the bills paid and spending less on exercises that are not necessary and help make the investment easier to manage.

This particular responsibility of home ownership, does not directly affect my decision to further my college education. It is an indirect relationship, which is based on my desire to better my education to intern advance my career. A person has many personal responsibilities and our responsibilities overlap each other all the time. By taking the time to advance my education this will help me in learning new skills; our skills are our most valuable asset. As Henry Ford said, “The only real security that a person can have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability. Without these qualities, money is practically useless.” (Becoming A Master Student, p.302).
With advanced skills in my field of work advancement is possible and with advancement comes a higher salary and intern the ability to have a stronger sense of money management. Allowing for the investment of homeownership to accelerate and making the payment of mortgage and expenses a bit easier. Also with a higher salary comes the ability to invest back into the home through remodeling and renovating with the possibility of selling the investment and obtaining a larger investment in the future.
Our personal responsibilities work together each and every day. Even when we least expect it one responsibility directly or indirectly effects another. Taking the time to work through all of our responsibilities and learning valuable sills will help us advance in our personal life, academic and professional careers. Homeownership is an important personal responsibility that teaches understanding and the fundamentals of money management.