40 million Americans have student loan debt. (money.cnn.com, Sept. 10, 2015)
40 million.
I am one of those 40 million unfortunately. With all the money that I owe, I don't regret my college degrees or experiences, I think they were worth every single penny, well almost.
Money management might be one of the most talked about but not taught about subjects, especially for high school students and pre-college kiddos. There just isn't enough education about money, budgeting, loans, bills, etc. out there for kiddos these days. Eighteen year old kiddos do not know what or how to manage money so that they set up their 30 year old selves with a safety net and smart money investments.
This 30 year old self can say that from experience. I began my college journey when I was 18. I finished said journey when I was 28. That's 10 years. 10 years of financial aid, loans, books, cost of credits rising each year and time. It's costly, $123,784.41 to be exact. That is what I currently owe the world--$123,784.41.
Now, I did not go to school to be an investment banker, lawyer, doctor or high ranking official that makes a decent wage. I'm a teacher. I'm lucky enough to work in a district who takes great care of their teachers, but I am still working part time jobs and summers in order to pay off debt as fast as I can.
I could go on a useless rant on how we do not pay our teachers enough in the United States--but I won't. We all know that. I work more than 40 hours every week because I believe in what I am doing, I love my students and their families and I love learning.
Perhaps my love of learning was out of control for 10 years and I jumped on every learning wagon I could, because, I love it. I love the journey of learning something new and it is SO important for me to know my subject area--I affect our future everyday with how I teach, what I teach, how inspired I am about what I teach and my LOVE of learning. I love learning.
But...learning comes with a price--a hefty one.
So, this is my journey. My year of paying off debts and sharing with the world how I do it. My hope is that one college student reads my blog and takes action and control over their own money--changes their future by taking charge.
Best,
Ms. B
40 million.
I am one of those 40 million unfortunately. With all the money that I owe, I don't regret my college degrees or experiences, I think they were worth every single penny, well almost.
Money management might be one of the most talked about but not taught about subjects, especially for high school students and pre-college kiddos. There just isn't enough education about money, budgeting, loans, bills, etc. out there for kiddos these days. Eighteen year old kiddos do not know what or how to manage money so that they set up their 30 year old selves with a safety net and smart money investments.
This 30 year old self can say that from experience. I began my college journey when I was 18. I finished said journey when I was 28. That's 10 years. 10 years of financial aid, loans, books, cost of credits rising each year and time. It's costly, $123,784.41 to be exact. That is what I currently owe the world--$123,784.41.
Now, I did not go to school to be an investment banker, lawyer, doctor or high ranking official that makes a decent wage. I'm a teacher. I'm lucky enough to work in a district who takes great care of their teachers, but I am still working part time jobs and summers in order to pay off debt as fast as I can.
I could go on a useless rant on how we do not pay our teachers enough in the United States--but I won't. We all know that. I work more than 40 hours every week because I believe in what I am doing, I love my students and their families and I love learning.
Perhaps my love of learning was out of control for 10 years and I jumped on every learning wagon I could, because, I love it. I love the journey of learning something new and it is SO important for me to know my subject area--I affect our future everyday with how I teach, what I teach, how inspired I am about what I teach and my LOVE of learning. I love learning.
But...learning comes with a price--a hefty one.
So, this is my journey. My year of paying off debts and sharing with the world how I do it. My hope is that one college student reads my blog and takes action and control over their own money--changes their future by taking charge.
Best,
Ms. B
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