Reading the "some plugs" thread, and what Flap's saying, about working 3 jobs, selling off the lions share of his beloved plug collection,(2 kids almost college age!), plus the fact I'm going thru similar stuff, got a HS senior out shopping schools, is giving me some Grumpage this AM.
Kids got to step up too, but the Govt. limits their share of the loans to a minimum. All the paperwork you do as a parent, believe me no secrets here, forms that could fill a phone book, and they chase every one of your bucks, and even if you look broke, don't be surprised at what they tell you you can afford! I guess they think you don't eat, buy gas, pay for electricity, or have large tax bills, or any expenses.
Offers at the schools are coming in now for the schools my kid have looked at, pretty good ones, but still going to be a lot of $ coming out of my hind end. People have been telling me for years that my kid would get a free ride because of his athletic abilities... WRONG, he's catching a break, and I am gratefull... but FAR from a free ride.
Now hear this Mom's and Dad's..... 2 kids in my son't class... full free rides.... kids couldn't catch a ball or run for crap, (and I am not knocking them, don't think that is important in life at ALL).... but, big $$ deals for them, and I am proud of those kids.... most important thing, to get the $$ from the schools.... HARD WORK, AND EXCELLENT MARKS, and a chitload of community service.
Tell your middle school aged kids RIGHT NOW, hit the books, limit the social life and study HARD, if they want to get ahead.(and save you and them cash!)
I've been to a chitload of colleges in the past 2 years looking, still got a few more tours to go... U can spot the party schools almost right off, and I've ditched out half way thru more than a few tours... if I'm gonna put my house in jeopardy, it ain't gonna be so my kid can go to a party... like I heard that crazy ol' sumbitch Ozzy Osbourne say to his kids... "If your going to college to party, I'd rather get you an apartment directly above a pub, and set you up a bar tab, be cheaper and safer than college parties" never thought I'd agree with his parental skills, but I don't think he is far off on that one.
Other thing is, make sure your kid is really going to use that education.. friend of mine.. daughter went to a high dollar school, did well too.. came home after grad... large loans for parent, and kid. She decides she wants to live on Cape,
No oppurtunities for her here, except what she has been doing for last 3 years.. 30 hour a week job paying $13 an hour plus 75% of her health and dental, plus hostessing at a restaraunt 3 nights a week.... could have saved a lot of jing if she figured that out right away... gone straight from HS to that, I think... She is considering moving off-cape, she sent out her resume.. a head hunter told her she'd need to go back for a couple of semesters to catch up with current education needed!!!! So, they are going for more loans.....
Sunday AM Grumpage.... I'll go to the dump now, that always makes me feel better.......
College Grumpage
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