Ask E. Jean for DearSugar: Is This the Right Way to Pay Off My Debt?
Dear E. Jean —
It’s time for New Year’s Resolutions and I need your advice. What would you think of a 24-year-old Jewish law student, raised in an upper-middle class home in Greenwich, Conn., who is considering working in Boston as a cocktail waitress in an upscale gentleman’s club (read practically topless) to pay off a $23,000 in credit card bills she racked up living like a princess in 2007?
The background: I graduated magna cum laude from college, I’m in my final year at law school, and I’m following the correct path my parents laid down for me. I have four credit cards and I maxxed out all of them buying a great wardrobe . . . and now I’m in serious trouble! (I realize I sound like a pathetic Oprah subject.) I must start paying off my debt!
I know that I could make a ton of money in a place where there are only men. Part of me thinks this is nuts, but part of me realizes that I possess an exceptional talent for flirting with men. This is probably the result of years of manipulating my father — a typical 50-year old egomaniacal, power-hungry CEO, every boss I’ve had since I was seventeen, not to mention my numerous, cocky, good-looking, successful son-of-a-bitch boyfriends over the years. (But my man problems are the subject of ANOTHER letter for ANOTHER time;)
But what if my family found out? I’m wavering. I’m a fairly-sheltered former rich girl. What if I see people I’ve worked with? College friends? Former boyfriends? On the other hand, I’ve got the figure for it, I’ve got the attitude, I could make a big dent in my debt! What do you think, E. Jean? — Befuddled in Boston
To see E. Jean's answer read more.
BEFUDDLED, MY SAUCY CHOPS —
Do it. Every now and then a magna cum laude needs to snap on the nipple twirlers. Why not? What are you, a goddamned old lady? Who are you, Ruth Bader Ginsburg? Try it for a week. It’s not often that a woman with one of the best wardrobes on the Eastern Seaboard gets a chance to make money AND rebel against every single value of her class, her family and her Jewish heritage.
Hell, even if you weren’t in debt, I’d advise you to do it — if only to let you do a bit of drag racing on that “correct path” of yours. It will also broaden your world view which will make you a better lawyer. And when someone you know walks in (and they WILL), smile, wave, and tell them you are “doing research” for a “project.” (You don’t have to explain your project is getting out of debt.) Good luck. You have followed your parents plan long enough. Time to break loose! (At least for a week.)
To see more advice from E. Jean visit Elle Magazine and AskEJean.com.
