PLFXpert 0 #76 November 12, 2002 Exactly...it's all about ROI (return on investment)...a house AND a college education generally give good returns...So, Lisa is right, going into some debt for college is OK. It is also OK to go into debt for a house, b/c most of the time, the value of the home will increase in the years to come, espcecially here where I live, at the beach. Conversely, it is wise NOT to borrow money for things that depreciate in value after you buy them such as cars and furniture. I broke my own rule, though...I took out a loan for my car...but by doing so, I've VASTLY helped my credit for buying a house soon b/c I made the payments on time and more than in full. (I had automatic withdrawals from my account) But generally speaking, it is wise only to go into some debt for investments w/ good returns and not a good idea at all to go into debt for things that depreciate in value. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #77 November 12, 2002 Lemme turn the tables a little bit, and this is just my 2.5 cents (adjust for inflation) - Do I think college (education in general) is a good thing? Yes. Is it necessary to have a successful life? No. Lemme 'splain Lucy: While education can open the doors of opportunity, it is not always needed. The job of a parent is to mold and create the best values that they can instill in their children. While not all parents have the financial means to supply their kids with everything in the world to be successful, the values they give to their children are far more valuable in life than any education. Kids are able to get grants, loans, etc. to go to school, but let's be honest. School is not for everyone. IMHO, if your child grows up and is happy with the life that they have and is able to tackle the challenges that life throws at them, then you did a good job - education, home (mobile or permanent), financial means or not.----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FliegendeWolf 0 #78 November 13, 2002 Well, as somebody whose a)parents paid for his undergrad and b) is on a full ride graduate school fellowship, I'm just going to wallow in white guilt if you don't mind... A One that Isn't Cold is Scarcely a One at All Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #79 November 13, 2002 My children are not college age yet, but I am aready planning for that time. In GA the state pays a HOPE scholarship (cover about 80%) to any student who maintains an 80 or better in high school. I am requiring my 8th grader to maintain a 90% or better in order to participate in cheerleading, competition cheerleading, gymnastics, pointe, ballet, jazz and performance dance company. If she drops below the 90% then one of her activities is dropped. It's that simple. I am also saving 5% of my salary for each child's college fund. If they choose not to go it is their choice not because they couldn't or didn't have the opportunity. I feel like I have instilled the need for an education in both of my girls. How they respond to that need will be their choice; however, it will be my choice to fund any extra activities. . -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDolphin 0 #80 November 13, 2002 I worked with a girl a few years ago who insisted that my husband would never be able to get very far in the computer field without a bachelors degree at the very least and preferably a masters degree. He has neither. He is completely self taught starting with teaching himself basic when he was 7. I worked the exact same job as this girl, who had a masters degree, so I knew roughly how much she made, my husband at that time as a developer made a little more than twice what I did and probably the same as her. I have a BS degree by the way in computer science. Anyway, 4 years later, she is still working the same job making probably a bit more than what she did then, if she is lucky and my husband is now a game developer and making twice he made 4 years ago and probably 4 times more than her. So I guess my point is this, if a person has natural talent and smarts a college education is not necessary and certainly not a reason to call a parent irresponsible for having children when they can't afford to send their kids to college. Do I think college is a good thing? YES I do. Otherwise I wouldn't have devoted 4 years of my life to it. I paid for college myself with students loans and grants. I don't think my parents were irresponsible for having me and my brothers and sisters when they couldn't afford to send us to school. In fact my parents taught many lessons that were far more valuable than anything I ever learned in college. Will I send my own daughter to school? If that is what she wants. Right now she is leaning towards a career in Equine medicine so I'd say college is a definate for her. R Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,111 #81 November 13, 2002 >Having house payments is better than having house payments and > college payments at the same time. It is just simple adding - would > you preffer to be $150,000 in debt or $200,000. The hypothetical student could do what I did for years after graduation - live in an apartment. I know, the horror! the horror! but I did manage to both go to the most expensive school in the country, pay for a good chunk of it myself (loans/financial aid) and eventually buy a house. I don't think not owning a house at age 21 is going to destroy anyone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #82 November 14, 2002 Quotebut I did manage to both go to the most expensive school in the country Bill, Did you go to Bennington College? _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #83 November 14, 2002 Quote Never been in an unemployment line. Never got food stamps. Learned to be responsible for myself, as it should be. You sound like a born Libertarian. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #84 November 15, 2002 I'm surprised no one has mentioned encouraging children to take matters into their own hands and work hard to get scholarships. From the ages of 12-20, my whole purpose in life was to earn a scholarship to college through swimming and my brothers achieved it also. Whether it be through sports or academics, there is a lot of satisfaction in paying your way through college by busting your ass and that work ethic transcends into other aspects of life when you are an adult.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #85 November 15, 2002 QuoteI strongly believe that if you decide to have children, you should be prepared to give them a shot at higher education. Sadly enough in todays world people without a college degree are being reduced to second tier roles. Is it not irresponsible to have children knowing you will not be able to give them a bright future or at least a choice? Is it not irresponsible to have children knowing that you will be sending them to the unemployment line or to collect food stamps? I haven't read anything but YOUR initial post, but I have to disagree with you on some level. ye smost parents get married and have kids so early that they are just trying ti figure out life as the try to raise that kid. but many self made people are just that; self made. and lots of those kids born with a silver spoon in thir mouth take it for granted and lose most of thier fortune.etc! the rich deal with money a different way then the rest of us. once you can understand how money works you can use it accordingly. ppla place too much value on paper. money isnt anything but an IDEA. same goes with the $200,000 piece of paper you give some highprofile college to hang on your wall. its still paper. with the INFORMATION age the way it is. you can be just as smart and successful with PAYING FOR SOMEONE ELSES RECOGNITION! go ask a person who deal with lotsa money how they see things...they may astound you! if you dont know any...ask a DZO. they may not be the rich ppl you tend to think of but they DO handle alot of Money! if they are a successful business person they can probably give you insight on how to move money around til you make a pile of it for yourself!My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #86 November 15, 2002 EHHHHHH EMMMMMMM, I mentioned that silly!Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #87 November 15, 2002 But, I don't read your posts, Carrie, they're always too long. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #88 November 15, 2002 Well, you should, b/c most of them involve spanking you! Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #89 November 15, 2002 What?!?!?!? You don't GIVE your children a higher education.. They can earn it themselves by doing a good job in High School. If your high school student "kid" wants it bad enough he can earn it.. He or she can go into the military and earn a college fund.. That is the problem with parents today.. They GIVE their kids everything not making them earn it and learning lessons along the way. When my son EARNS a scholarship or does something above the norm to prove to himself and me that he wants it then I will come through for him.. But he will grow up knowing if he wants to goto college it will be from his own hard work that paid off in a scholarship. THEN.. When he comes to me and says Dad!! I got a scholarship to so and so college!!! But I need a little money for a car and to live on.. Or for part of the tuition I will be there for him.. But he has to EARN it.. They have to EARN it.. Their should be a lesson behind everything... It is not irresponsible to have children knowing you will not be able to give them a bright future.. It is irresponsible to say that you have a limited parental ability to come through for your children where the lessons of life are concerned.. You don't OWE your children a college education.. You do OWE them the things they need to learn to get there.. The foundation to being a responsible, well grounded person... My rant is over Rhino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #90 November 15, 2002 QuoteWhat?!?!?!? You don't GIVE your children a higher education.. They can earn it themselves by doing a good job in High School. If your high school student "kid" wants it bad enough he can earn it.. He or she can go into the military and earn a college fund.. Rhino- Have to disagree here. 1. I earned my right to get into college in high school with my grades. I was accepted into 5 different colleges. 2. I could not get financial aid due to the parents income levels, even though they refused to pay dime one towards helping me. 3. I did not receive any grants or scholarships even though I had applied before all the deadlines. 4. I don't like guns so the military was out of the question. Two years out of highschool, I had saved enough to put myself through one year while working a fulltime and parttime job. I walked away from the experience realizing that being braindead the entire year was a total waste of my investment. BTW, even though I hadn't been living under my parents roof for two years, I still couldn't get financial aid due to the parents income levels, even though it was clearly stated to the financial aid people that I was on my own. BTW, my GPA was 3.9 on a 4.0 scale. Some kids do need help and the parents aren't there to give it. Yes there were issues in my parents house, but this isn't the forum for that. In a nutshell, don't hand your kids an education on a platter. The do need to work at it, but don't totally cut them off and tell them they're on their own. Help as much as you are able.----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jraf 0 #91 November 15, 2002 Man, where is your spirit of giving and sharing? Very Darwinian oppinions here! (though to some extent correct - it is the survival of the fittest, and yes we are no better than the animals we eat)jraf Me Jungleman! Me have large Babalui. Muff #3275 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #92 November 15, 2002 In your case... If I were your parents.. I would have paid your way.. You earned it.... No doubt..... Rhino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #93 November 15, 2002 I am very giving.. Trust me.. You can give and teach responsibility at the same time to your children.. Rhino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
