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I think residents living in the US have a major perception issue with costs.
They still complain about housing costs (even after a big 10-30% in prices in most urban areas). They complain about college costs. They complain about fuel costs. Obviously they complain about healthcare premium costs.
But Americans need to deal with the fact that most of them just don't want to pay for essential things and often times spend their income unwisely. Some things like a college education often is worth the investment.
Why do people complain about the affordability of college? Hello? You can take out college loans. As Dave Ramsey said one time, only thing government should "grant" (obviously a reference to many students wanting free Pell Grant money); well Dave Ramsey says the only thing that should be granted is the grant to work at least part time during college. Take out a freaking loan folks. Work 10-20 hours a week. My wife's cousin just graduated from a in state public college (so that's 2009), she owes $32K over 4 years. Think about that $32K, includes room/board/tuition everything. Isn't that worth an investment? She's in MBA school now. Obviously professional school costs a lot of money. When she's done 14 months, she'll owe about $100K. But her earnings will make up for the debt load. Even if you go into a lower paying job like teaching, there are programs for loan forgiveness (you may have to teach in a ghetto school system but at least it's a loan forgiveness). But 4 years of college education, almost completely funded by loans can be paid off within 10 years.
Think about the average cost of new cars purchased by US residents. What's that? About $28K these days. So Americans are paying almost as much for a new car as it costs to fund a 4 year (in state public) college education.
The big issue with Americans is that they feel the need for entitlements. Nothing should be given away. People should earn their way up the ladder. Go to school, take out a loan, work part time as needed. I just think many Americans just do not want to pay for things and blame affordability.
Parents of high school kids planning to go onto college should think about that $28K car they just purchased vs. the $32K a college student just financed for her entire 4 years education. College seems pretty affordable to me, especially since college grads are known to earn much higher incomes than high school grads.
Gimme a break! What's with all the logic nonsense? Don't you know the only way to solve your financial difficulties is to whip out the plastic and buy more junk?
Haven't you heard of New Math? You're using an outdated and archaic form of math where 1+1=2. Modern economic theorists have proven that system to be an untruth and very inconvenient.
Gimme a break! What's with all the logic nonsense? Don't you know the only way to solve your financial difficulties is to whip out the plastic and buy more junk?
Haven't you heard of New Math? You're using an outdated and archaic form of math where 1+1=2. Modern economic theorists have proven that system to be an untruth and very inconvenient.
Hey, I hear ya!
I went to college and came out a Mod-12 Clockster, where 11 plus 3 = 2, and 3 minus 7 = 8.
It's the new america. Everything is free, and you don't have to do jack to get it. Heck, you can even break laws to illegally come into this country, and still demand phr33 st00f.
But Americans need to deal with the fact that most of them just don't want to pay for essential things and often times spend their income unwisely. Some things like a college education often is worth the investment.
My brother was saying this same thing to me yesterday. Someone might have a top of the line flat screen TV with tons of premium channels, two SUVS, various toys and expensive electronics...... but complain about paying for Health Care. In other words, they will not blink at paying more for things they use/ enjoy, but find it unacceptable to pay more if they choose to have premium health care. Very interesting.
Think about the average cost of new cars purchased by US residents. What's that? About $28K these days. So Americans are paying almost as much for a new car as it costs to fund a 4 year (in state public) college education.
Love your post.... but I am not sure where you get a 4 yr college education for 28K. More like 280K !!! The cost of college is a PROBLEM... not saying Gov't can or should fix it, but the cost have college has risen exponentially higher than inflation, wages, etc. And.... lets be honest, a lot of kids are basically learning how to get wasted for 4 years for 50K a year.
Love your post.... but I am not sure where you get a 4 yr college education for 28K. More like 280K !!! The cost of college is a PROBLEM... not saying Gov't can or should fix it, but the cost have college has risen exponentially higher than inflation, wages, etc. And.... lets be honest, a lot of kids are basically learning how to get wasted for 4 years for 50K a year.
$28K would just about cover the cost of tuition at some, not all, state universities. Unless you live in the same town as the "U", there's about $1000/mo R&B to add to that, plus the costs of books, other COL expenses. Even living at home, the best you could probably get a degree for is probably $40K.
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