Student Loan Debt?

[two_bit_score]

but the professor/writer ain't making the money.

It's the bookstores. I had a friend who, years ago, owned a college bookstore off campus. They made a killing.

 

[goeduck]

It’s good that some people enjoy those jobs. It takes people with dead olfactory senses.

I had the septic tank on one of my rentals pumped last week. Pumper guy was an interesting fellow to talk to. The tenant wife is a clean freak and usually comes out to talk when I go there to do yard work, etc. She hid inside with the blinds closed this time while he was there.

 

[jyoutz]

I had the septic tank on one of my rentals pumped last week. Pumper guy was an interesting fellow to talk to. The tenant wife is a clean freak and usually comes out to talk when I go there to do yard work, etc. She hid inside with the blinds closed this time while he was there.

When my sons were small, we had the honey wagon come pump our septic tank. When he removed the lid and started pumping, the boys came over to watch and were holding their noses. The pumper guy told them that “your dad said that you guys are good helpers and could come work with me.” They started backing up and said they heard mom calling them. We laughed.

 

[milkman636]

My former neighbor does septic work. I've heard the words "smells like money" come out of his mouth several times over the years. When he moved about 10 years ago it was into a brand new home on 53 acres. He did a new tank and field for my barn last fall and he says the work never slows down.

 

[milkman636]

With a graduating senior, I'm also in the position of filling out a FAFSA after doing taxes.

My son also has an offer for what seemed to be a large football scholarship by a private university. That was exciting at first, but it's over 800 miles from home, it's not a school that has all the games televised, and there's around 15,000 a year in costs that it doesn't cover. Division 1 seems to be the only level that gives all the football scholarship athletes a full ride. Yesterday I suggested to my son that he reach back out to the D1 school that is recruiting him and reiterate how impressed we were with their campus, program, and players during our visit. There's more than one kid on the board for every spot and some self- motivation, good communication and enthusiasm from him might help.

Later this morning we are headed out of state for another visit to a college we haven't heard of before they contacted my son. If I'm counting correctly it's our 6th visit to one the 8 schools that say they want him. The miles, hotel stays, and meals out are starting to add up. It's a grind fitting these visits in between other sports and school schedules, work, and normal life stuff happening inside this recruiting window.

 

[paulsharvey]

@milkman636 did you/your son go through one of the people that prep game film, edit everything, and send it out to the recruiting coordinators for various colleges? Reason I ask, I didn't even know that was a thing, till a guy in Scouts, son was looking at playing college soccer. He had ton of video and all, but it turns out, what coaches where really looking for, wasn't a highlight real of scores, so much as various small things, like reaction time in a reverse, and other stuff. Also, he mentioned, the consultant told them, he needs to tweet/X the recruiter a very short, professional thanks, after any discussion/meeting. Small things like that,

 

[paulsharvey]

I don't know/didn't ask, what they paid this guy to prep and send out all the film, and all.

Also, I work with a guy, who's daughter is playing LaCrosse, and had a scholarship at a small private college. He was saying that she was still on the hook for like $16k per year, after all the scholarships. He/she also was required to buy a extra injury insurance policy, I guess to protect the college from having to pay for injuries on the field. She transferred, and walked on to a small public, in-state university, and even with less scholarships, the price was less.

 

[Torvy]

I went to a small HS. I had no idea about recruiting or any of that. I wish I had. One of my teammates walked on at an NAIA school. Knowing our abilities, I could have kept playing somewhere.

I taught at a TX 6A school (biggest class). Coaches at that level are actively helping kids with recruiting. They don't even have one of the better programs, yet kids get scholarships and a few have made the NFL. (Applies to other sports, too) If you have that type of setup, you don't need to mess with the tapes and stuff. My understanding is that with the major sports, if you are in a big school, they will find you 99% of the time. The tapes are for minor sports or kids at smaller schools. Not all D1 scholarships are a full ride.

 

[paulsharvey]

I know I've gotten frustrated with the whole loan/scholarship process, registration, everything with my son. Me and wife have really tried to be hands off, as it's his loans, and he will have to repay them. He is hoping (assuming) he will get a Bright Futures Scholarship (state funded, from Lotto earnings), but he won't actually know for sure until August. It will be based on him passing several 'Ace' tests at the end of the year. But UNF wants him to start school in the summer of 2024; before he even knows, for 100%, the scholarship will come through. All the loans are really set up for Fall/Spring; and haven't got a 100% answer that he will have the first loan payment before summer.

Anyways; I've told him, probably 20 times, and maybe the last time, he kinda listened; Fine, start it the summer, if the loan comes in, it should be enough for housing, tuition, and the meal plan, we can cover lab fees, books,; However, if that scholarship doesn't come in for Fall; you will Have to transfer to a community College. (or of coarse get married, and wife and mes income no longer count against you, and you'll be eligible for more loans/Pell grants, ect; that's 66% joking, but...)

 

[Torvy]

I know, right? Oldest was a National Merit Scholar. There are some schools that throw money at them. Other schools, not so much. Academic scholarships, in general, exist in mid-range public unis. (Academically speaking). They all want early commitments (factors into the schools 'ratings'). Have to find the best fit for the money. In his case, OU suited him. 3 hours away and a full ride. He chose it over Alabama because 'Bama looked too "same" to him. His Achilles heel is an uncanny inability to navigate. The buildings apparently all look the same and made it even harder. It all worked out. Got his MS in 4 years with no debt.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, was talking to a friend a few weeks ago, just a bit about this; and his son isn't doing college route, but he's already got a semi successful mowing/pressure washing business (i dont know if it counts as profitable is you use your dads zero turn, and trailer, and dont pay him for the equipment). Anyways, he mentioned dreading the whole, who pays for daughters wedding talk with his 20 y/o daughter, and one of his coworkers just paid something like $25k for his daughter's wedding.

Point being; going into a debt to get a degree (or heck, cash payment) for college is a better choice than spending $25k+ on a wedding.

When my wife and me got married, 16 years ago, she was willing to do a court house wedding; I said, no, I atleast want a preacher. Anyways, we paid like $350 for a wedding chapel in St Augustine, max like 8 guests; and had a reception at an apartment clubhouse I had built, and wife was friends with manager. We BBq'd chicken leg quarters, had a cake, and a keg, and yes, she had a dress and I rented a tux, but we where under $2k all in.

 

[Torvy]

Only had 1 get married. Like college and other things they do as adults, we told them they are responsible for the costs. We gifted them some money, but they had to figure that out. Big weddings are basically a grift nowadays. Convincing lowbrow middle class people they should have a frigging royal wedding. We paid for our own.

 

[check]

What I absolutely do know is, I am paying a dramatic increase in groceries over what I used to pay just a few years ago

Well then, you need to stop eating so much!

 

[check]

So, was talking to a friend a few weeks ago, just a bit about this; and his son isn't doing college route, but he's already got a semi successful mowing/pressure washing business (i dont know if it counts as profitable is you use your dads zero turn, and trailer, and dont pay him for the equipment). Anyways, he mentioned dreading the whole, who pays for daughters wedding talk with his 20 y/o daughter, and one of his coworkers just paid something like $25k for his daughter's wedding.

Point being; going into a debt to get a degree (or heck, cash payment) for college is a better choice than spending $25k+ on a wedding.

When my wife and me got married, 16 years ago, she was willing to do a court house wedding; I said, no, I atleast want a preacher. Anyways, we paid like $350 for a wedding chapel in St Augustine, max like 8 guests; and had a reception at an apartment clubhouse I had built, and wife was friends with manager. We BBq'd chicken leg quarters, had a cake, and a keg, and yes, she had a dress and I rented a tux, but we where under $2k all in.

Our wedding in 1993 was really cheap, even no, we had all the bells and whistles.

$4000 in total. Her dad gave us $2000 and my dad gave us $2000, so it didn’t cost us anything! (Well, except for the drive out from Toronto to Calgary in our 1988 Mazda 626 - great car, by the way!)

 

[ultrarunner]

Back in dad's day the couple paid with the groom paying the bulk was the norm amount his friends...

My brother married an only daughter... the wedding was nice and her family insisted on covering it... all of it... 24 years later they are doing great... my brother already owned his home and no debt outside of a small mortgage...

With 3 daughters he has wondered which family tradition he will fall under... paying everything for 3 could be most significant...

 

[MossRoad]

When we got married in the 80s the custom in our cultures was the bride's family paid for the wedding dress and reception meal. The groom's family was expected to pay for the church, priest, reception hall, flowers and bar tab.

We split the bill for the polka band.

 

[newbury]

However, if that scholarship doesn't come in for Fall; you will Have to transfer to a community College. (or of coarse get married, and wife and mes income no longer count against you, and you'll be eligible for more loans/Pell grants, ect; that's 66% joking, but...)

There's always the Armed Forces.

 

[ultrarunner]

Attended quite a few weddings in Austria during the year I was there.

Some were 500-600 attending.

The young couples only obligation was to pay for the head table... which was the wedding party, parents, grandparents and godparents... and the Polka Band.

Church was no cost and same for church choir.

Reception at a big tavern open to all and food and beverage paid as the guest ordered it.

Really very economical... families would often chip in for flowers and a round of Champaign.

I was in several and once asked about rehearsal dinner... the very old priest snapped back maybe something done in America but here a wedding is a solemn sacrament one does not rehearse... I think he had an overall problem with me a foreigner being a part...

 

[scootr]

Wife of 26 yrs and I were married by a Judge who was the friend of a friend in a National Park with family present. We paid for a reception dinner for all participants. Cheap, legal, and Western.
P.S.
I know it will cost a lot more to undo than it took to do

 

[MossRoad]

Attended quite a few weddings in Austria during the year I was there.

Some were 500-600 attending.

The young couples only obligation was to pay for the head table... which was the wedding party, parents, grandparents and godparents... and the Polka Band.

Church was no cost and same for church choir.

Reception at a big tavern open to all and food and beverage paid as the guest ordered it.

Really very economical... families would often chip in for flowers and a round of Champaign.

I was in several and once asked about rehearsal dinner... the very old priest snapped back maybe something done in America but here a wedding is a solemn sacrament one does not rehearse... I think he had an overall problem with me a foreigner being a part...

That reminded me that the groom's family was supposed to pay for the rehearsal dinner, too.

As I recall.... way back in 1985...
My folks rented their church gym for $50.
The food was $2007.50 ($5.50 a plate X 365 people). That included the cook and servers. A lot of people tipped the servers as well. They were all kids from the school.
The bar tab was around $1700.
Flowers were around $500.
Dress was around $500.
Polka band was $500 (they gave us a $50 discount because they went to school with us).
We also had to pay 4 bartender and 4 cops.
The priest was $50 and we tipped the alter boys $20.
The church was $100.
The photographer was around $500. Unlike today's digital age, we were limited to the number of photos and sizes. He kept the negatives, and any reprints would cost additional $$.