Thirty Grand?!

Okay, because I'm a bit of a snoop, I went online and looked up this college someone I know is going to, and I was just looking around.

I came across a number, and my heart stopped: $41,652.

O_O

HOLY BUCKETS OF MONEY!! That's A LOT of money. I mean, at first I thought, nah, that can't be right, it must be for all four years, but, no, it's for ONE year. I'm just shocked. That's around $120,000 for a college education. I mean, that would take me at my current meager salary and part-time hours nearly 18 years to afford. Currently, I feel like $12,000 a year is killing me, and that when I come out of college I'll be utterly in debt and without a job and bills will be coming in, I just can't imagine what it must feel like to burden your parents with $30,000 alone on tuition.

Just ten years ago, the average tuition for UW -Madison was $3,290.
Today, the average tuition is $7,933.

Back when my dad went to college he could work part time and afford college while gaining NO debts. He left college debt free, completely at zero for debts and savings. That idea seems IMPOSSIBLE to me. and nowadays, it IS impossible. I'd either have to raise my hours to 39 hours a week OR somehow manage to make $23 an hour. Both of which are HIGHLY unlikely.

In thinking about the person I know who will pay $41,000 a year for school, all I gotta say, "You're lucky your parents are rich." THAT, or, "I'm sorry for the debt you're going to have coming out in four years." (I'm guessing it'll be the latter and because of that, I'm kinda insanely jealous and mad and GRRRRR!!)

I wish, I could get a full ride scholarship. I hate financial mental stress. I attempt feebly to NOT think about my parent's financial problems, but I can't help it. They say money can't buy happiness, but HELL it can sure relieve a TON of stress and give you security. There's no fear of losing your house, there's no disappointment at not being able to afford something you want, there's no worry or concern that you'll break something valuable. I want to have a high salary when I grow up, not because I'm greedy and materialistic, I just saw what my parents went through, or are going through, and I don't want to have to deal with that stress.

Financial stress is the number cause of divorce.