<p>I was very surprised with my 2nd year college D. She & a few of the girls decided last year as freshmen that they didn't want to live in dorms again. So, my D started scouring the newspapers and internet ads looking for apartments. She called and set up appts. to look at the apartments. She had a notebook detailing each one and then wrote in comments after they looked at it.</p>
<p>When it came down to it, some of the girls dropped out of this plan because they either couldn't afford it or their parents didn't want them to be in an apartment, so it ended up her and one other girl. So, my D (and she actually ended up doing 95% of the leg work) found the "perfect" apartment - 3rd floor of a triple decker. The rent was reasonable. She negotiated with the landlord - fix this before we move in, etc., etc. I WAS AMAZED!!! Over the summer, she set up the electricity account and cable/internet. </p>
<p>The funny thing is once I dropped her off after a visit and she was fuming because her roommate had left all the lights on! Big dose of reality when you actually have to start paying real bills.</p>
<p>But then, all her friends (and my younger D's friends) are amazed that Mom taught them at age 10 how to use the washer and dryer so they could do their own laundry! </p>
<p>Though the writer of this article does seem like she may have been coddled throughout her younger years, there is something to be said for working as a cocktail waitress to make ends meet. Hard work never really hurt anyone...</p>