Budgets Are Sexy

Hi guys! First off, in case I haven’t said it enough, THANK YOU from the bottom of my soon-to-be-parent’s heart for all the love and congratulations you sent over from yesterday’s news — you made the Mrs. and I feel SO SPECIAL!!

Seriously, you blew us out of the water with all the kindness and advice you guys sent over – we REALLY appreciate it :)  And do you wanna know a secret? You all were one of the first groups to know! You should feel special ;)

Okay, now back to today’s topic… It’s been a while since we did a “help a reader” post here, and this one stood out as one that could probably use your help over mine because I’m very one-sided when it comes to college ;) AKA I always say 100% that it’s worth getting a degree no matter what (crazy, I know). So take a read and offer up any advice/thoughts you may have?  Maybe you’ve been in this same scenario yourself, or you currently are now?  There are never any right or wrong answers here, so your opinion is def. valuable :)  Thanks!

Hi J,

Need some advice from you and your readers.  I have wanted to go back to college for a very long time.  I just recently paid off all my debt and have the option, but don’t know if that is the best route.  I know a degree would help in job searches, but I also don’t want to spend all my money on college and have nothing to show for it in the end.

I asked my friends on Facebook, but I get the feeling I am not hearing from all sides on this issue.  Probably because most of my friends haven’t gone to college and most don’t ever want to.

I want to go back to school for Design.  I have been in the computer industry for quite awhile and am bored with fixing computer problems.  I want to do something creative.  I have looked into Engineering and Architecture, but I figured design would combine both degrees in a cheaper way.

Here is what I came up with for choices:

1. Going to a private college that is geared towards the creative.  It’s more up-to-date than most other colleges and uses both Mac and Windows computers, so I could broaden my computer knowledge.  I know mostly Windows and some Linux at the moment.  Cost is about $100,000 and would take me 6 years part-time
2. Go to a community college then a 4-year college for same degree.  Less up-to-date as still using AutoCAD for Windows.  No Macs that I have seen, unless I want a more expensive 4-year college.  Cost about $50,000 and would take about 8 years part-time.  I would be able to put some money into retirement.
3. Max out my retirement funds, take specific classes like AutoCAD and hope my company uses that knowledge for something good.  Travel with extra money.

I’m hoping there are more choices out there.  I don’t want to move out of state, I don’t want to give up my current part-time job, I am trying for scholarships, and I make too much money for any sort of government assistance. Any suggestions?

What do you guys think?  What would YOU do if you were in her shoes? Again, there’s really no “right” answer here, and I’m pretty sure she’d love to hear from all kinds of angles :)  Thanks so much!

Originally published at budgetsaresexy.com.