Growing up in my family, my parents have always supported my siblings and I very well and made it easy for us to enjoy our childhood with very few worries. And although they continue to help me succeed in my life, emotionally and financially, it has always been a requirement for my siblings and I to start looking for summer jobs around the age of 16 or 17. It was the best way for us to help pay for our own gas and the extra things we wanted to buy for ourselves without having to always ask for money.

Now I know, many high school and college students –depending on where you grow up- aren’t really asked or encouraged by their parents to look for jobs at a young age. It can be for a plethora of reasons; your parents might not mind continuing to help provide for you during your younger years because they know the job market can be tough and also transportation to and from may not always be possible. Or they don’t want you to have to worry about balancing work and potentially school – if during the school year. They also might want you to focus more on being the young adult you are and enjoying the free time you have now that you won’t always have in the future.

The list could go on and on but either way, I’m here to tell you the reasons it is a good idea to get a summer job, even when binge watching Netflix may sound better.

1) Let’s start off with that: even with a part-time job you’ll still have plenty of time to binge watch your favorite shows.

Having a job is a great way to get yourself out of bed and out of the house during your summer break. Plus, your friends might also have jobs already, so instead of being bored all day or night without them, you could work a few hours and hang with them later!

2) No more “Hey dad, can I borrow 20 bucks?”

You already know for the most part the answer will be “What happened to the $20 I gave you last week?” As we get older, money lasts as long as it took us to put it in our bank account. Not long. With a part-time job, you’re most likely to be paid every week or two and it doesn’t hurt to have some extra money in your pocket.

3) ROAD TRIP?!

What better way to celebrate getting a job and making money?! Road trip with your best friends! Unfortunately, it may still be tough to schedule in time for everyone to go and it will take a few work weeks to get the amount of money you need to be able to go. It’s still awesome to know it’s a potential option.

4) Ever tired of your parents telling you to watch what you spend?

Well, the best way to settle that discussion could be that it’s your money and you earned it. Obviously, unless they just want you to save it for a better occasion, but what’s one iced coffee every now and then gonna do? Right…?

5) You learn A LOT.

Whether people believe it to be true or not, having a part-time job can be very educational and will help shape you for the future. Working in retail or a job that heavily weighs in on customer service, you’re bound to get fed up with people, but you also learn the best way to handle every type of person and how to stay sane while doing it. You also learn how to balance your money – as long as you don’t blow every paycheck. You learn discipline; you will most likely be working with others, which expect you to be mature, on time, respectful and a hard worker.

6) Think of future connections.

You may think that ice cream parlor job isn’t worth your time for what you want to do down the road, but listen, connections are everything in the real world. The boss of your boss, might just know that specific someone in your field that can help get you the job you want after college.

7) College is right around the block.

(Unless you’re still in high school for a bit, even though it always a good idea to start saving). Knowing you’re going to head back to college in a few months and you’re expenditures will most likely increase…a lot, it’s a good idea to save up. Whether to help pay for your textbooks or just save it for your nights out when you really need that slice of pizza. Trust me, your summer money will be gone before you know it and it’ll be back to “Hey Mom, could I borrow some money?” while cringing waiting for a response.

My point here is, even if you or your parents don’t think it’s all that necessary for you to get a part-time job, it doesn’t hurt to look into it. Pick up a few hours, kill some time you would otherwise be spending sitting at home, maybe make some friends and potential connections and become a more mature you.