Chapter 36: The Perils of Being Too Young to be Grown

I started working at 16 years old. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to. I always wanted to be a grown up—to make my own money and make my own decisions. I remember when I got my first credit card—a JC Penny’s card. I was proud that I could secure a line of credit.

I started my professional life working at a shoe store in the mall, first as a cashier, then as a sales person. During the 1990s, before shoes were the ‘thing’, I was known for my crazy collection. I had dozens—plastic over-the-knee boots, neon green suede loafers, red cowboy boots, metallic-studded rock star platforms . . . you name it, I had it. When I became a sales person, I worked on commission and thought I was raking in the dough. I thought; if this is what it means to be grown up, give me more! I spent my money on the material things that usually appeal to teens such as clothes, friends, movies, a beeper, a private phone line and finally a car. I thought I was living the life.