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💸 Why U.S. Debt Matters to You (Yes, You, Teenager)
Published about 2 months ago • 2 min read
You don’t have to be an economic whiz to see the flashing red lights.
The U.S. is $36 TRILLION in debt. That’s 36 followed by twelve zeroes. And no, this isn’t Monopoly money—we’re talking about real dollars, the kind that determine your future job prospects, cost of living, and ability to afford a house (you know, the one you might not ever be able to buy at this rate).
Here’s the deal: The government is borrowing money at a pace that makes a shopaholic’s credit card bill look responsible.
And instead of using that money to build things that’ll benefit the future (like schools, infrastructure, or making sure we’re not drowning in climate disasters), a huge chunk is going toward everyday spending and—wait for it—paying interest on the debt itself.
That’s right.
The government is racking up charges just to cover past expenses, and the interest payments alone are one of its biggest costs.
Imagine taking out a loan just to cover the interest on your last loan. Sounds bad? That’s because it is.
But FIRST
If you are new, welcome to OCE’s weekly newsletter curated for the ambitious youth…here are some articles you missed from previous weeks:
1.Higher Interest Rates – Want to start a business? Get a mortgage? Take out a loan for anything? Rising debt pushes up interest rates, making borrowing more expensive. Translation: your dream life will cost more.
2.Fewer Opportunities – When the government soaks up all the available capital by borrowing like crazy, there’s less left for private investment. That means fewer jobs, slower innovation, and a tougher economy for young people trying to get ahead.
3.Lower Living Standards – Economic growth helps each generation do better than the last. But when debt spirals out of control, it slows down productivity and investment, meaning your generation will be left with fewer advantages than the ones before you.
The American Dream: Now With Fewer Houses and More Debt
Remember when people used to say, “Work hard, buy a house, live a good life”? That’s getting harder. Median home prices are skyrocketing compared to income, and younger generations hold a shrinking share of wealth compared to their parents and grandparents.
Median Housing price vs Median household income (you ain't ever gonna afford a house in US)
It’s no surprise that Gen Z isn’t exactly the happiest bunch. When the system feels stacked against you, it’s hard to be cheerful.
So, What Can You Do?
No, you can’t just Venmo the government a few trillion dollars (though that would be nice). But here’s what you can do:
Get Smart About Money – Understand how debt, interest rates, and investments work. Financial literacy is key to playing the game—even if the rules are against you.
Vote for Fiscal Responsibility – Politicians love spending money to keep voters happy now, without thinking about the future. Pay attention to who’s actually addressing long-term economic sustainability.
Build Skills That Matter – With uncertainty ahead, skills that provide real value—like tech, entrepreneurship, or problem-solving—will be your best bet for staying ahead of the curve. That’s exactly what we focus on at OCE. Through real-world experience—working with ASEAN founders and learning from tech experts—so you can build skills that actually matter in an uncertain future.
The bottom line? The way things are going, the U.S. is handing your generation a bill for a party you weren’t even invited to. If you don’t want to be stuck paying for the mistakes of the past, it’s time to start paying attention.
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PS. This summer, we are going to tackle pressing global issues and drive innovation in regions (such as your own community) where it is needed the most. Want in?
We run a summer cohort for ambitious youth (high school and undergrads) to work directly with world-class founders while learning from Silicon Valley leaders.
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