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Money Monday
By Imagine Scholarships
Sherri Ross
July 28, 2025
💸 MONEY MONDAY
Birthday Breakfast, DoorDash & The $12 Revelation
This week was my birthday (🎂 woohoo!) — and I’ll admit it, I love birthdays, July, and the summer chaos of having all my 20-something kids under one roof. But during a slow breakfast, our conversation took a turn that was insightful for us all.
We started talking about convenience spending — especially food. DoorDash. Takeout. Grab-and-go groceries. Microwave meals. The stuff that saves time...but drains your bank account.
What started as a casual convo turned into a deep dive:
“How many hours do you have to work to pay for that one $18 poke bowl?”
“Is $6 coffee worth 20 minutes of your workday?”
“Is convenience really helping us — or just making us hungry and broke?”
The answers? Eye-opening. And maybe a little stomach-turning.
🔥 Your Challenge This Week - The Convenience Cost Challenge
Step 1: Track everything you buy that’s purely for convenience (food delivery, snacks, quick grocery stops, gas station runs, etc.).
Step 2: Use our Hourly Value Worksheet PDF to figure out how many hours you had to work to afford each of those items.
Step 3: Make a new plan.
✅ Need ideas?
Batch cook on Sundays
Make lunches the night before
Share meals with roommates or neighbors (they cook one night, you cook the next!)
Use a slow cooker or air fryer to save time + money
Prep grab-n-go breakfasts/snacks ahead of time
👩🎓 For Students
Are you spending more on boba tea than textbooks?
💡 Track what you spend on “easy food” this week. Then figure out how many work hours you lost. Would you rather:
Order Chick-fil-A now?
Or afford a weekend trip with friends next month?
Small swaps = big savings.
👨👩👧 For Parents
Use this week’s lesson as a family money moment.
Share how you used to eat in college
Plan one “convenient-but-cheap” dinner together
Talk about work hours vs. lifestyle choices
💬 Ask your teen: “Would you trade 3 hours of work for 10 minutes of ease?”
🍎 For Educators
Bring this conversation to life in class or programs:
Assign the Hourly Value Worksheet
Have students calculate their “real hourly rate” and match it to 5 common purchases
Launch a classroom challenge: “Plan the cheapest 5-day meal plan”
Share ideas on batch cooking, food prep, and life hacks that actually work
Bonus: Link it back to career ROI and budgeting for real life
📚 This Week’s Challenge
📄 Download: Hourly Value Tracker
Use it to calculate how long it takes to pay for things like:
$12 takeout
$6 coffee
$35 Uber
$90 sneakers
$150 concert ticket
🎓 Scholarship of the Week
Whether you are an incoming freshman or current student majoring in education, you may want to apply for this $1,000 scholarship. Follow directions on the website, then tell why you want to be an educator. What do you believe you have to offer the students of our future?
Applicants must be an incoming or currently enrolled University or College student. Deadline is August 31st.
➡️ Apply here or on Imagine Scholarships. Imagine offers scholarships for all ages and a variety of students. The keyword search makes it easier to find awards that fit you. Brainstorm words that reflect your major and career goals as well as your hobbies and interests.
🎯 Want more scholarships like this? Log in to Imagine Scholarships and unlock access to over $9 billion in scholarships, internships, and tools.
💬 Quote of the Week
“If you don’t prioritize your money, someone else will spend it for you.”
– Unknown
🧃 Bonus Thought:
Are you spending like a juice box — fast and fun, but gone in seconds?
Or are you investing like a smoothie — intentional, real, and energizing long-term?
Let’s start living with more smoothie moments this summer.
🚀 Ready to Take Control?
Use code MONEYMONDAY50 to save 50% on either of these powerful tools:
Currency Conundrum (a fun, real-life budgeting simulation)
Financially Fit & Career Ready (build your future + your budget)
Don’t let convenience derail your financial plans.
You've got this!
Cheering you on,
💚 The Imagine Scholarships Team
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