Fridge is out. Freezer’s out. Washer and dryer are out. Who needs that stuff anyway? Who really needs food? Loyal long-time readers will hearken back to ye good olde days of September when my appliances sucked almost as much.
Important addendum which is actually now the bulk of this entry:
I checked out another abode candidate this evening. It is in Woodbridge, about 50 driving minutes from my place of work. It was a large house, and its owner is renting out the basement as well as a bedroom or bedrooms on the top floor. While I was there, someone agreed to take the basement for $400/mo. I was mainly interested in the upstairs anyway. The rooms were small. And pink. In my opinion, it is not worth the $500 each or $700 for both. And the search continues with another “house” appointmet Wednesday night…
All of this would be made a thousand times easier if someone I knew was looking for an apartment as well — in the same state.
I’ve also started thinking about possibly going back to school. That would allow me to curb debt for a while longer (though the debt will get much larger). I’d also need to figure out what I want to study, and make sure whatever I do study will provide me with a job that will actually allow me to pay off my debt. Yes, that would be nice.
I thought that was just the refrigerator last time….?
Good thing you’re moving out soon…
oh no! did you have to throw away lots of groceries again?
Make sure you REALLY want to go back to school before you go. It’s a very expensive thing to do if it’s not really necessary…
Yes, it’s expensive, but I don’t think education is ever a waste of money, provided you’re actually learning something and not just sleeping through your classes.
True…but if you STOP the advancement of your career or your life…if you stop working and spend 3 or 4 years going to school, so that when you get out you’re no further along then you were when you entered, then what have you gained? Yes, education is wonderful, and you’ve gained knowledge, which is great, but then work, and advance your career, and take classes at night or in your extra time.
Well it all depends on what your goals in life are. Sure, if your goal is to make as much money as quickly as possible, then maybe stopping your career advancement in order to go to school, especially if you don’t end up getting a degree, is a waste of time for that kind of person. If your goals in life are more along the lines of taking in different kinds of knowledge and being happy in a different way, I don’t see how going to school, whether you get a degree or not, would be a bad thing. Of course, if you’re just after money, the education you have had hasn’t tought you about some of the nicer things in life. IMHO.
IMHO? should i know what that means?
but i have to agree… having a degree and more education is nice and although it might not help you much in your initial job… 10 years from now when you’re fighting for a manager position… and you and person x are have the same experience… but you have a masters and the other person doesn’t… who’s gonna win?
That’s true, Stacey. That’s definately true. But if you spent 4 years in school and person X didn’t, then person X likely has 4 more years of experience than you do. Regardless, you are correct. But that relates to career advancement, doesn’t it? If going to school doesn’t help you in any way, except the satisfaction of having gained some knowledge, then no matter who you are and what your goals are, you’re going to be upset when you’re spending your whole life paying for that education that got you that great job at Borders.
You guys misunderstand me. I’m not saying that the pursuit of money is the goal in all of this. I’m saying that the pursuit of living comfortably and happily is the goal. If, as Spike says, you are content with just going to school and gaining knowledge, and the consequences and costs are not important to you, then by all means, go for it. But, Stacey, the point I was trying to make is that if I were in the field of computers, but I thought it would be cool to study Archaeology, and so I took four years and got my Master’s degree in archaeology, only to get out of school and go back into computers…what have I really accomplished except the satisfaction of having gotten that degree?
You’re going to be upset when you’re spending your whole life paying for that education that got you that great job at Borders.
HEY! =)
I’m not sure I agree with the arguments that post-graduate degrees equal an open door to job advancement. It’s true that in some fields, you have to have a Masters or better just to get in the door, but more and more employers are recognizing the fact that job (and more importantly, LIFE) experience can be just as valuable as an extra 3 years in school.
Everything hinges on where you find comfort. For Darren it might be having enough money to buy the things he wants. For someone else it might be having the ability to read and discuss and discover everything they want to know about life. You can’t say that having the job and the money are what leads to a comfortable and happy life for everyone.
You’re right, Alissa. I don’t mean to imply that going to school is WRONG. I just say consider all of the implications before making that decision.
And, in fact, this:
“I want to study, and make sure whatever I do study will provide me with a job that will actually allow me to pay off my debt. Yes, that would be nice.”
See? Spike himself has said that he’d like to be able to pay off his debt. So, obviously, money counts for SOMETHING. I don’t NEED to be rich. I wouldn’t mind, but it’s not my key to happiness. But I have a realistic view of the fact that I have bills to pay…