My husband and I are in those college-paying years, years when we're dishing out lots of money to support our son's education. This is the third son, and the other two have already successfully completed college.
The college choice is a big choice when it comes what you're willing to pay and what you can pay--everyone chooses differently. I remember one of my brothers telling the story about his friend whose dad made each child an independent before they went to college to defray the costs. Other students win scholarships or work really hard to save a lot of money. Some choose the community college route to defray the costs or the public university. There are many, many choices when it comes to what college to choose and how much you'll pay for that college.
For each of our sons, we looked for a college that was a good match for who they were and what they wanted out of life. Both my husband and I had very positive, memorable experiences in college. My husband went to a state university and I went to a small, private college. For both of us, our college experiences were integral to our future careers, good experiences, and many friends. We wanted our children to have similar satisfying college experiences.
Each child chose a different kind of college. One chose a big public/private university in the country, one chose a small liberal arts college in an urban area, and the third chose a large private university in a city. All the choices were different, and so far, all the choices have been positive for who that child is. In each case, the price tag was steep which meant that we spent a good deal of our income on college tuitions--essentially one take-home pay paid for college bills and one take-home pay paid for the expenses of living including a mortgage, food, taxes, and other essentials. We are fortunate to have two professional jobs which allows us to pay those bills.
As our third child move through college, I can say that we are looking forward to the day when the college bills are paid, days when we might have a few extra dollars to take a big trip or work a little less. Yet during these years of hard work and big bills, the key is simple pleasures and good living. In a sense, making the most of what you have, and not worrying about what you don't have. In American society, often grandiosity and excess is lauded and held high rather than the rich, simple aspects of life that bring meaning and satisfaction.
With America's admiration of the rich and powerful, one has to coach themselves when it comes to simple pleasures and valuable investments of time and money. What simple pleasures and events bring meaning, camaraderie, richness to life?
As I think of this today, I realize that you don't need lots of clothes or lots of expensive items in your home. You don't need to stay at the fanciest hotels or plan elaborate parties. Instead, you can be more creative with your time and money, by planning affordable get togethers in beautiful public places such as a picnic at a park, a hike in the mountains, or a day at the beach. You can buy classic, quality clothing that lasts, and recreational items like bikes that bring lots of pleasure. You can also take advantage of public spaces such as libraries and events such as free concerts and art exhibits to maximize the fun available.
To live well doesn't mean it has to be excessive, but instead intentional. Most of us have to work hard, and making that work meaningful can bring life great pleasure too. There's many choices to living a good life, and for many of us, taking the simple path opens the door to the meaning, camaraderie, and wealth of living we're looking for.
The college choice is a big choice when it comes what you're willing to pay and what you can pay--everyone chooses differently. I remember one of my brothers telling the story about his friend whose dad made each child an independent before they went to college to defray the costs. Other students win scholarships or work really hard to save a lot of money. Some choose the community college route to defray the costs or the public university. There are many, many choices when it comes to what college to choose and how much you'll pay for that college.
For each of our sons, we looked for a college that was a good match for who they were and what they wanted out of life. Both my husband and I had very positive, memorable experiences in college. My husband went to a state university and I went to a small, private college. For both of us, our college experiences were integral to our future careers, good experiences, and many friends. We wanted our children to have similar satisfying college experiences.
Each child chose a different kind of college. One chose a big public/private university in the country, one chose a small liberal arts college in an urban area, and the third chose a large private university in a city. All the choices were different, and so far, all the choices have been positive for who that child is. In each case, the price tag was steep which meant that we spent a good deal of our income on college tuitions--essentially one take-home pay paid for college bills and one take-home pay paid for the expenses of living including a mortgage, food, taxes, and other essentials. We are fortunate to have two professional jobs which allows us to pay those bills.
As our third child move through college, I can say that we are looking forward to the day when the college bills are paid, days when we might have a few extra dollars to take a big trip or work a little less. Yet during these years of hard work and big bills, the key is simple pleasures and good living. In a sense, making the most of what you have, and not worrying about what you don't have. In American society, often grandiosity and excess is lauded and held high rather than the rich, simple aspects of life that bring meaning and satisfaction.
With America's admiration of the rich and powerful, one has to coach themselves when it comes to simple pleasures and valuable investments of time and money. What simple pleasures and events bring meaning, camaraderie, richness to life?
As I think of this today, I realize that you don't need lots of clothes or lots of expensive items in your home. You don't need to stay at the fanciest hotels or plan elaborate parties. Instead, you can be more creative with your time and money, by planning affordable get togethers in beautiful public places such as a picnic at a park, a hike in the mountains, or a day at the beach. You can buy classic, quality clothing that lasts, and recreational items like bikes that bring lots of pleasure. You can also take advantage of public spaces such as libraries and events such as free concerts and art exhibits to maximize the fun available.
To live well doesn't mean it has to be excessive, but instead intentional. Most of us have to work hard, and making that work meaningful can bring life great pleasure too. There's many choices to living a good life, and for many of us, taking the simple path opens the door to the meaning, camaraderie, and wealth of living we're looking for.