Sleep

...ba href=/sleep/a/b in.

And we quit our jobs as often as we change our clothes.

LocalLinks However, the biggest example of our lack of responsibility is so stereotypical that I am ashamed to admit it: We waste money.

There are three reasons college students use to justify spending money: Peer pressure.

They deserve a luxury.

The memories will last forever.

Last week, I forgot my iPod in my apartment.

While walking around campus, I kept feeling that everyone with an iPod was looking at me and passing judgment because I didn't have one.

Yes, I am sure this was my imagination.

But it is one example of how college students feel pressure to indulge in luxuries so peers won't think less of them.

Some of my friends want diamond earrings and name-brand sunglasses, not necessarily because they think these things are cool, but because the people in their classes do.

Another way students justify spending money is by telling themselves they deserve a luxury.

Maybe it is a new iBook, the latest wireless speakers or an expensive digital camera.

It is hard to imagine spending that much money, especially when we rely on parents and credit cards as our main sources of income.

However, it seems OK as soon as a friend or your ego says three magic words: "You deserve it." Students can usually justify it.

Maybe they've been getting good grades lately, going to class more often, or have had a large dose of bad karma slap them across face and they need a fix.

Suddenly, these students who clearly "deserve it" ...

...ba href=/sleep/a/b, dress, sit, work).

The master bath will have larger shower stalls, a compartmentalized toilet, and linen closet.

Mid-to-upscale homes will have a shower and tub and multiple showerheads.

Upscale homes will continue to have whirlpool tubs even though they are rarely used.

Yards will shrink.

Now averaging 9,000 square feet, the American yard is expected to decline to 7,000 or 8,000 square feet in the next few years.

"The big challenge is baby boomers wanting energy-efficient homes along with features like 10-foot ceilings and lots of glass," Ahluwalia said.

"Their desires are in conflict." The 50-plus housing market has clearly been discovered and builders and re-modelers are racing to supply the structures and amenities demanded by these discriminating consumers.

Industry analysts say that the amenity gap (features seniors say they want that developers are not providing) common to both a recent NAHB survey and an AARP study is the demand for grocery stores and drugstores within a planned community.

Other wants/needs that are not being met are sidewalks, better transportation and home-meal service.

"Builders have done a good job in some areas in providing what the 50-plus market wants-including wider roads, grab bars in hallways and bathrooms and a master suite on the main floor," Ahluwalia said.

"But we need to continually take into consideration more services in our planning.

It's not feasible to have drug stores, grocery stores, hospitals in every neighborhood but be...

...ba href=/sleep/a/b for a day, Simons pointed out that “homeless people live in discomfort every night.

We can handle it for one night.”“It’s not about the legs,” Jones added.

“It’s about the heart.”Want to help?

The three University of Wisconsin-La Crosse students will begin their run at 3 p.m.

Friday at Angell Hall, 422 N.

14th St., on the UW-L campus.

Participants are asked to donate at least $1 for every mile they run.

For more information, call Chris Jones at (608) 789-2430 or (773) 344-7128 or e-mail him at jones.chr2@students.uwlax.edu.Kate Schott can be reached at (608) 791-8226 or Kate.Schott@lacrossetribune.com.

.

!

- Related Stories: [relatedheadlines] - Tell us what you think...

Comments » The comments above are from readers.

In no way do they represent the views of the La Crosse Tribune.

Post a comment » Name:Comments: Thank you for your comments!

Once your comments are approved, they will appear on the site.

Advertisement Click ads to enlarge The above ads appeared in a River Valley Newspaper Group publication within the past 7 days.

Please note any effective sales dates mentioned within the ads.

About Us Webmaster Copyright © 1997 - 2006 The La Crosse Tribune.

All rights reserved.

Material from this site may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

A Lee Enterprises subsidiary.

...