The liberal arts

[mongers]

I have never once used my bachelors degree in any capacity whatsoever, though then again it didn't cost me a dime.   

[alfred russel]

Ide, at the risk of poking the bear, if you step back for a moment, aren't you better off with your education? You have an office job that pays reasonably well. I know it isn't a dream job, but do you really think you would be happier as a welder?

Opportunity costs are hard to measure.  It was not unlikely I'd be in a restaurant management capacity, however, earning $10,000-20,000 a year more and with further opportunities for advancement.  I'm not doing poorly, but remember I'm a temp and there is vanishingly little chance for permanent employment, let alone true stability and forget real advancement, in doc review.

And that's my $65,000 + living expenses professional degree.  The only reason I earned more money after I got my history degree is I started waiting tables at a higher price-per-plate restaurant.

$65k, in the grand scheme of a lifetime, is not a lot of money. Servicing the debt on that is probably less than $200 a month.

No.  $65k + living expenses.  And it's about $1000 on a normal ten year schedule, which I obviously do not keep.  I guess it depends on what you mean by "service."  I "service" my debt on IBR in the mid-hundreds (dunno why I'm coy about my income, since market for doc review in Columbia is easily googleable, but at least it'll keep Tim from knowing although as part of my quasi-promotion I do make somewhat above market).  But that "service" takes a very long time, and indeed on a monthly basis comes very close to negating the difference between working as a waiter and working as a coder, at least on an hourly basis--I guess my law degree lets me work 50 hour weeks.  Thanks FLSA exemptions!

And, yes, that means that if I were paying $1000 a month, I'd effectively be making significantly less than a decent waiter who works 4/5 the hours, and probably free or heavily discounted food.

I thought the term would be a lot longer than 10 years...

[Ideologue]

I think to repay in 25 it'd be like $600.  Never looked into it.

I wish the government would lend me $100,000 to buy a house.

[fhdz]

I think to repay in 25 it'd be like $600.  Never looked into it.

I wish the government would lend me $100,000 to buy a house.

Why the government in particular?

[Ideologue]

Unsure as to the purpose of the question.  Who do you think gives almost all educational loans?

But anyway, a bank probably isn't.

[alfred russel]

I think to repay in 25 it'd be like $600.  Never looked into it.

I wish the government would lend me $100,000 to buy a house.

So I was a bit off anyway...30 years and 3.4% (a google of interest rates) would give a bit under 300 with 65k of debt.

[Ideologue]

No, my interest rates are not 3.4%.

[OttoVonBismarck]

I think to repay in 25 it'd be like $600.  Never looked into it.

I wish the government would lend me $100,000 to buy a house.

I'll loan you $100,000 at 5%. But if you miss two consecutive payments I will have you killed.

[alfred russel]

No, my interest rates are not 3.4%.

My mortgage rate is 3.25%. 

[garbon]

How much is $200 a month in your earliest earning years going to be worth if invested and compounded over your career?

Who the fuck invests $200/month of their earliest earnings?

Hypothetical kids.

[Ideologue]

No, my interest rates are not 3.4%.

My mortgage rate is 3.25%. 

Well, I'm sure that is very fine for you.

[fhdz]

No, my interest rates are not 3.4%.

My mortgage rate is 3.25%. 

That's an excellent rate!

[Phillip V]

I want a rate below 3%

[The Brain]

Can I rant about liberal arts? Don't care much about rates.

[alfred russel]

No, my interest rates are not 3.4%.

Well, I figured you could refinance, but after googling it seems there are challenges with refinancing student loans...So at this point I will just admit I was wrong about everything and carry on... 

Ide, if you had it all to do over again, what would you do? Skip college to focus on a career in restaurants?