Reasons Not To Go To College

Now that I have gotten organized and started saving for college, Forbes.com comes up with five reasons why I shouldn't go to college that I should think about - this kind of throws a wrench into my well laid thoughts. Here are their five points:

Loss of 4 Years of Work

I Won't Necessarily Earn Less Money

I Could Probably Make More Money If I Invest My Tuition

A Classroom Isn't Needed To Learn Something

Plenty Of People Have Done Fine Without A College Education

These are certainly points to consider. Since I am planning to have my full tuition in my savings by the time I am ready to enter college, the investing point is especially noteworthy to me. That being said, I also know at my tender age that college isn't only about school work, but also the social aspect and the opportunity to try new things.

This is something I'll have to consider more as I get older and get a better idea of what I might like to do as a career.

Will My Money Have To Last Until I'm 150?

All the more reason for me to start saving at this early age. According to a report on the Today Show available on msn video, today's children may live up to 150 years old.

While I think this is great, it means that my retirement funds will have to be a lot bigger than if I assumed I'd only live to 80. An interesting possibility for my little mind to ponder.

Some Numbers I Plan Not To be Part Of

The problem about reading about college and costs is that the numbers can get pretty depressing and I like being a cheerful little one. So instead of dwelling on the numbers, I have been proactive in making sure I'm not a part of the numbers that can be so depressing (thus this little blog). This is what I found today

According to Finaid.org "65.6 percent of students graduate with some debt." The median amount of debt owed once a student graduates is $17,120. Among graduating seniors, the average federal student loan debt is 19,202. Additional debt for graduate and professional degrees range from $27,000 to $114,000.

Those are pretty depressing numbers even for a cheerful baby like me. it's just one more reason to make sure that you begin saving for college early which reminds me that I need to get my monthly numbers up - will be doing that soon.

Even At My Age I Have to Worry About Identity Theft

Boy, did my eyes pop wide open when I came across this bit of news. I figured at my age I had nothing to be worried about when it came to identity theft, but obviously I was wrong:

When a mother decided to open a savings account for her 18-month-old son this month, she was stunned to learn that someone else had beaten her to it.

Police say that a man with a record of identity fraud had taken the toddler's Social Security number and opened two accounts with Citizens Bank in Worcester and tried to obtain a Registry of Motor Vehicles identification card. By the time the boy's mother learned about the scam, the thief had deposited $19,000 in fraudulent checks, police said.

That's just crazy!