I am considering getting more advanced training for the field I work in now, which is computers. This would give me the oportunity to almost double my income, but would require a student loan. We are trying to get out of debt, and this would add to it. I have a current loan which would be deferred until I finish my next course (8 mos), and then an additional loan would be added. They are not huge, would be less than $200 a month together, and we would be able to pay off 1 or 2 bills while I'm continuing my training, since I will ocntinue working full time. We would then have the opportunity to pay off the student loans early if we wanted and/or save more money. Any thoughts and/or opions would be appreciated. Thanks

-- Amber in WA (mikeandamberq@hotmail.com), December 05, 2000

Answers

There are a lot of variables that the rest of us are unaware of, such as your age, whether you plan to continue working for years, or if you will go to full time homesteading. You get the idea.

I will say what was once told to me, "A turtle doesn't get anywhere by sticking it's head out part way." "It's all or nothing."

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), December 05, 2000.

Amber, I'm still paying off student loans. They tend to hang around for a few years! But the interest rate is usually kind and the probable benefits more than make up for the added expense. You do what you have to do. Don't let money dictate what you want to do...it is so easy to get into a bondage of "being debt free" and that is just a crippling and restrictive as having a lot of debt...the ideal is "smart debt" and that is what you are talking about.

Good luck.

-- JimR (jroberts1@cas.org), December 05, 2000.

OK, I'm 35, married with 4 teenage boys (17, 16, 14 & 13). I think we're done with our family. Will need to work for a least 5 more years and then possibly part time. I love working with computers and want to get more training. I really like to learn new things, but not usually at this much expense ($9,000). I also try to be realistic and think about the fact that my husband may not always be around to support or help support me. With the skills I will learn in this class, I will be able to build computers, troubleshoot, design web pages, and other things. These are all things that could be done from a home business to enhance a homesteading lifestyle. The biggest downfall I find about this (besides the cost), is anything to do with computers will always need additional training/skills.

-- Amber in WA (mikeandamberq@hotmail.com), December 05, 2000.

Have you talked to your employer about them helping you pay for the training? Where I work they send me to computer school about three times a year and they pay for it all. I'm a computer artist so the schools I go to probably aren't as expensive as what you're looking at, but you might check it out. Won't hurt to ask. All they can do is fire you....

-- Joe (jcole@apha.com), December 05, 2000.

Before escaping I managed a large group of computer engineers for a major system supplier. Once you have the basic understanding of computers it probably is best to simplify your education (at least at first) by choosing either hardware or software. Hardware assembly workers will make slightly above the minimum wage. Most troubleshooting today is replace and test until working and pays a little more. If you have your own business it can be profitable if there is minimal competition. Software is where the money is and you can work at home. Don't know what PC software pays now, but under the impression WEB page design and maintenance are lucrative. A good software engineer with five years experience can make $80-120K a year. Knowledgeable software management pays more. If you are a creative person choose software.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), December 05, 2000.

I am still paying off student loans and it seems they go on forever! I graduated college in 1990 and took a few Master's courses since then but the student loans just go on and on and on. I think I still owe something like $10,000.

But I don't regret my college education at all! You have to weigh it with all the other things people have been suggesting. Talking to your employer might be a good idea,

-- Suzy in 'BAma (slgt@yahoo.com), December 05, 2000.

Been there, done that, don't want anymore of it. I would talk to the boss, and see if he's willing to part with the money in exchange that you don't quit for X amount of time. I had an employer that would pay for any training I wanted, but I had to pass the certification test and work for 1 year after the class. Leave before the year, and you had to pay back the company.

Another option is CBTs (computer based training) - often 1/4 the cost, and if you don't need the teacher / classroom setting, it's just as effective.

-- Eric in TN (eric_m_stone@yahoo.com), December 05, 2000.

A couple of things come to mind. One is money is a tool. It doesn't hurt to borrow it if you are going to use it to earn more safely. Borrowing to finance a lifestyle or borrowing to gamble (i.e. start a high-risk business) will seldom leave one happy in the end. Borrowing to start a fairly safe business or to improve one's empoyment may well be worth it.

However, $9000 to learn to put PCs together and to web pages is rediculous. I'm guessing it's being offered by some school with more of an advertising budget than reputation. Check your local comunity college or adult education programs. I'll bet and degree or certificate offered by a deploma mill will not get you in any doors quicker than just buying books and learning it yourself--and certainly no quicker than the local CC.

==>paul

-- paul (p@ledgewood-consulting.com), December 05, 2000.

just wanted to say thanks to all you folks who are paying off your student loans. i think a lot of people default on them.Bob in s.e.ks.

-- Bobco (bobco@hit.net), December 05, 2000.

My employers will pay up to 75% of any accredited courses I take, but limit that to $2000 a year. The thing I like about the course I'm looking at, is that it's over fairly quickly. I get very tired of taking night courses and don't think I'd last long enough to get a degree. My family comes first, and taking this course would be a short compromise. I think night classes take too long and cut into family time too much (my kids are all in different school sports and activities, which of course are all in the evenings). Thanks for all the responses. You've given me more aspects to think about, which is why I asked here. Where and how do I go about getting the skills I want, without going to school? Thanks again.

-- Amber in WA (mikeandambeq@hotmail.com), December 05, 2000.

I say, "Go for it, girl!" Computers are here to stay and what you learn you will not lose. Especially if your boss will help defer some of the cost and you will get a raise (if I read that right) by taking this course.

A friend just finished a computer training course at 45 and is the happiest he has been in a long time. He is doing a job he now enjoys and is paying off his student loan with a smile.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), December 06, 2000.

Before you do anything, go to the library and check out (through inter-library loan if necc.) those "Free Money" books by that Lesko guy. Appearently he seems to believe that there's enough grant and scholorship cash out there for women that he has a whole volume just on that. Check out these and related books (I say check out figuratively - they are usually ref. material and will have to be "checked out" in the library) and I'm sure that somewhere you can find all or part of the cash you need to get you going.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), December 09, 2000.

I was wondering if you had checked out a Web site www.ziped.com. They have 350 or more courses on two levels. The Technical Course level (250 or more courses) leads to various certifications including Microsoft Systems Engineer. Also programming languages, Webdesign, Webmaster, etc.

The cost is very affordable-- only 245 dollars per year for as many of the classes as you wish to take--all of them if you like and you never have to spend time away from your family.

Also for those who homeschool and might have a need for some computer education, ziped.com has over 100 "end-user/professional development" level courses. Any or all of these for 120 dollars a year.

Amber, good luck in your efforts.

Edith

-- edith in VA (bdeje@kimbanet.com), December 09, 2000.