Am I the only one who doesn't get the "Occupy Wallstreet" movements

[FoundMyPrince]

She is working in Hawaii.. she isn't a bum? what do you think she is doing there? she cannot find work in communications or as a para legal so she took a serving job, actually 2 of them.. she holds an AS in Para Legal Studies (certified with the bar association), AA, and BA in communications.
So far in the last month she has interviewed with Fox news (she interned at our local FOX when in college and hopes that helps out there), Disney Vacation Club HR position, Ghirardelli Chocolate's (HR), Honolulu's School District, PF Chang's office HR (where she is currently a server). She is also waiting to hear back from the Navy where she has spoken to a Recruiting Officer about enlisting in the service. With her degree, she can take the Officer's test and enter as an Officer. She is 23 years old. She owns her own car, 2011 fully loaded Sonata, free and clear, paid for by her own money she earned as a server while attending college. My DD is no bum... She has her own apt in Hawaii.. not sure if you have heard, but jobs are really hard to get now a days... especially for those who are recent college graduates.. hence, the many young adults you see at these sites protesting...

How are we supposed to know why she's there? Makes no difference to me. You brought it up.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have two Masters and my husband has a Ph.D. We don't have any student debt.

My 1st master and DH's Ph.D are fully paid by merit based scholarship. We studied very hard and lived extremly frugal when we were still in school. We also worked part time teaching undergraduate classes.

We got married while in school but it was not until 12 month after that we upgraded my full size mattress to a 2nd hand king size one, because the budget was not there. My night stand for 2 years was a paper carton fully covered by table cloth. Before we got married, my husband rode a bike to everywhere in the crazy southern Californa sun. It was hard but I never felt I was dying. It's totally livable.

My 2nd Master was paid by ourselves after DH started working. I took 12-18 credits each semester to get the biggest bang out of my capped in state tuition. I finished at least 6-month ealierer. All that time we were raising a one year old baby. Husband worked the day and I took night classes.

I have to say, though, we are not Medical Doctors, attoneys or pharmacists. But, at least, Master or PHD with no debt is doable.

thank you.. someone somewhat answered me.. you did have some scholarships.. and paid for some.. this is what I was trying to say to.. also anything beyond a Masters is hard to get without going into debt.. unless there is scholarships..which is what your DH had for the PHd.
That is really awesome you & DH got the scholarships I have said all along, Masters is doable without debt... What I do commend you on is having a child and attending school. That alone is hard. Anyone can work and attend school, but to raise a child and attend is something else.. that takes a lot of time away from your baby.. but in the long run, you know it is for the best.. congrats to you guys.. and thank you for your answer.. you do see what I was trying to get at...

 

[m&m's mom]

Have you tried going on say to Law school, or Medical school.. that isn't just a Masters.. and you really cannot "work" while doing that.. this is what I am trying to say.. my DD worked while going to school, and I paid up until her last year, she paid for the last year. She paid all her books every year..
read my post.. we have no student loans.. zip, nada.. nothing.. no loans.. in fact, I am debt free period.. I even own my home outright.. and yes, as others are saying, there is a choice.. but ask your doctor about a choice.. ask an attorney about a choice.. ask your professor's about a choice.. ask anyone who has gone past their "Masters" about a choice.. Once you hit that level of education, you really cannot "work" while attending and it is a bit expensive.. look into the price... Unless you take on class a semester.. and it takes you years to finish.. otherwise you are talking student loans...

here is some info... can you afford this.. I know I cannot.. even a few classes at a time..


http://hms.harvard.edu/admissions/default.asp?page=costs
Costs

Harvard Medical School tuition rates are reset annually and cover courses taken from August 1 through June 30 each year up to the final year of enrollment ending with graduation. Tuition is billed by semester. Two forms of term bill payment are available: payment in full by semester or monthly payments (payments for the year are spread over eight months). The monthly payment plan carries a service charge of $35 per semester.

An estimate of yearly expenses shows that the average cost for an unmarried first-year student will be approximately $73,000 for the 2011-2012 academic year. This estimate includes tuition, health service fee and insurance premium, room and board, books, travel, transportation to clinical sites, laundry, and incidentals. Students whose homes are outside the northeast region of the United States may experience travel costs beyond the scope of this estimate.


and here is a very good link for Law school costs.. and it shows just how much is needed and how long it takes to pay it back..
http://www.goodfinancialcents.com/average-cost-law-school-tuition-is-it-worth-becoming-lawyer/

I don't have to "ask my Doctor" how they did it- I can just ask my sister. The same sister that did the same thing as me and our other 2 siblings which is work and do undergrad debt free. Now yes, she did have debt for Medical School but let's just say her 7 digit annual income has absolutely no problem paying off that debt. A very good return on her investment. She lived as a poor college student the first several years making 6 digits and got those loans paid off asap so she did not have them hanging over her.
I remember when I listened to Dave Ramsey for the 1st time there was a guy who had over $60,000 in loans getting his Pharmacology degree. He was asking how much of his new $100,000 income he should spend paying off his college debt vs enjoying the benefits of a new nice income. I was shocked when Dave Ramsey said "You live on rice and beans and don't spend a penny more than you did when you are in school until those debts are 100% paid off." I was High-Fiving DR over the radio! Someone finally bold enough to say "Your debt comes first".
After graduating I had to immediately move and replace my vehicle which was deemed a hazard to drive. I was making close to nothing but every extra penny I had went on that car payment. I lived in a undesirable part of town for cheap rent etc but I feel so good at what I accomplished that dictates how I treat debt the rest of my life.
Oh yeah- I did specifically say in my post that I was not talking about Harvard. But, if I went to Harvard I sure as heck would not borrow to go there without an EXTREMELY good chance my income would quickly rise to make paying for that education worth it. I honestly saw a news story about a girl who borrowed over $100,000 to get a English degree. Chances are, you are not going to make an income to make that debt investment worth it.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

How are we supposed to know why she's there? Makes no difference to me. You brought it up.

I brought up Uni of Hawaii.. you brought up someone paying her tuition there.. she went there to find work, then decided that she would try to attend classes while working as a server too.. but we cannot afford the tuition since it is out of state.. where we live the unemployment rate is like 11%. Her boyfriend is stationed out there (Navy Seal) & is being deployed to Afghanistan soon. She figured she had nothing to loose by going out there to look for work. She put her education on hold since we couldn't afford for her to go "full time" home now.. she wanted to attend law school. When she saw how much it was, and I didn't want her to take out any loans.. she didn't know what else she wanted to do.. she thought about maybe just using her "communications" degree for a while and see what happens. She went to Hawaii.. when she saw she wasn't getting any real "jobs", she figured she would take some classes towards her Masters. When she saw the out of state tuition she called us to help, it is crazy.. and we aren't going to pay that when she can come home and we can pay 1/4 of that. So now she is just looking for a "real" job once again.

I am not trying to be nasty to anyone here.. but seems some weren't getting my point.. I only started my posts to show how one can really rack up the loans.. loans that I will not allow my child to rack up.. I don't want any of my children having to start their life off in debt... ever.. my sister in law has 2 mtgs on her home due to her son.. he went to law school.. and he landed a job with a firm on wall street in NYC.. he hates it.. and told my DD to really be sure she even wanted to go to law school before money was laid out.. if he had to do it over, he would not have gone. He is trying to help pay down the mtg for them.. he isn't making anything.. all the money is going to paying the bills.. it isn't worth it... he is a lucky one too.. he got in with a good firm.. people seem to think that life is so easy and to remain debt free.. it isn't always the case.. yes, it is a choice to some degree.. but for some.. there isn't any other way to get to college... if you have no money, no scholarship, and do want to go further than a Masters.. what do you do? again.. further than a masters.....

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I don't have to "ask my Doctor" how they did it- I can just ask my sister. The same sister that did the same thing as me and our other 2 siblings which is work and do undergrad debt free. Now yes, she did have debt for Medical School

thank you.. you have just stated what I have been saying all along... have I not been saying this....

now I can go to bed so I can get up for work... not the protesting line...

so you do see what I am saying... but didn't want to admit it...

 

[Juliet25]

I just don't understand how anything is going to change because some people are camping out in parks by Wallstreet, NY and other parks near capitol buildings around the US and the World. How is that going to make anybody change anything? Sure, they will know that "the people are not happy" but what will change?

If nothing else it raises consciousness to issues (i.e., the dismantling of the middle class) that have been ignored for too long. To me it represents a bunch of people from all walks of life (not just trust fund liberal arts majors ) coming together to take a stand against something they sense but may not be able to fully articulate on an individual basis. The movement has obviously hit a nerve. Where it goes from here remains to be seen.

Personally, I find participation in peaceful protest inspiring. I salute any American who exercises his first amendment rights -- even if I don't agree with his politics.

 

[shortbun]

I totally get the movement and all I can say that it must be organic-either you understand or you don't. I was in several demonstrations as a very young woman and I've been part of several since then. There is just something viral in a movement like that. This is a protest against decisions made AND in the making about corruption and a lack of understanding about 'the people.'
It's similar to those folk movements of the 40's and 50's prior to Vietnam or as Vietnam was getting started that blossomed into the anti-war movement because it was an emergency and all those people already knew each other and were ready.
To categorically dismiss these people and their movement is head in the sand thinking, imho.

 

[twooley2]

congrats to you.. what degree did you earn? are you a doctor, attorney, pharmacist, university professor, ? or did you just get your BA or maybe Masters.. and I do not mean this in a mean way.. honestly.. because if you have earned anything higher, I truly want to know how you have done it working and getting those grades.. my DD earned her BA and graduated with a 3.87..and her DECISION is to hold off on getting her Masters right now due to funds.. she is currently living in Hawaii and we cannot afford the out of state tuition at the University of Hawaii, as she moved there from Florida.

Amen. I can not see how you can work a minimum wage job 30+ hours and go to school and have time to study too. Also must cook (no eating out) No car payment ( must have one of those) or (saved all the high school money for a car) how much can a high schooler save??? While in school full time. I was in the military had earned money by serving and still did not have enough for a masters that cost 88,000 and I am not even a DR., or Lawyer.
This note posted is coming from a kid who has a lot more provided. Most scholarships even with good grades do not pay 90% unless they are low income parents with need based scholarships or grants.

 

[twooley2]

I don't have to "ask my Doctor" how they did it- I can just ask my sister. The same sister that did the same thing as me and our other 2 siblings which is work and do undergrad debt free. Now yes, she did have debt for Medical School but let's just say her 7 digit annual income has absolutely no problem paying off that debt. A very good return on her investment. She lived as a poor college student the first several years making 6 digits and got those loans paid off asap so she did not have them hanging over her.
I remember when I listened to Dave Ramsey for the 1st time there was a guy who had over $60,000 in loans getting his Pharmacology degree. He was asking how much of his new $100,000 income he should spend paying off his college debt vs enjoying the benefits of a new nice income. I was shocked when Dave Ramsey said "You live on rice and beans and don't spend a penny more than you did when you are in school until those debts are 100% paid off." I was High-Fiving DR over the radio! Someone finally bold enough to say "Your debt comes first".
After graduating I had to immediately move and replace my vehicle which was deemed a hazard to drive. I was making close to nothing but every extra penny I had went on that car payment. I lived in a undesirable part of town for cheap rent etc but I feel so good at what I accomplished that dictates how I treat debt the rest of my life.
Oh yeah- I did specifically say in my post that I was not talking about Harvard. But, if I went to Harvard I sure as heck would not borrow to go there without an EXTREMELY good chance my income would quickly rise to make paying for that education worth it. I honestly saw a news story about a girl who borrowed over $100,000 to get a English degree. Chances are, you are not going to make an income to make that debt investment worth it.

The real side of this is not all young kids know what makes money and doesn't some are still trying to graduate with good grades and can't decide what they want to be and you expect them to grasp this at 18 or 19 yrs old when not all parents even get this thinking. If there is no benefit to getting a degree (no monetary reward) in the end why bother??? That is what a college graduate is thinking. So do they never go for a degree because of overpriced schools. Maybe thats the real issue.
To be honest I was starting to think this generation was a bunch of pushovers Until these protest started popping up.. Every generation has stood for something backed by protest and I was starting to think we lived in a new age where everyone just is cattle emulating each other in life even if each person does not agree with it.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I don't have to "ask my Doctor" how they did it- I can just ask my sister. The same sister that did the same thing as me and our other 2 siblings which is work and do undergrad debt free. Now yes, she did have debt for Medical School but let's just say her 7 digit annual income has absolutely no problem paying off that debt. A very good return on her investment. She lived as a poor college student the first several years making 6 digits and got those loans paid off asap so she did not have them hanging over her.
I remember when I listened to Dave Ramsey for the 1st time there was a guy who had over $60,000 in loans getting his Pharmacology degree. He was asking how much of his new $100,000 income he should spend paying off his college debt vs enjoying the benefits of a new nice income. I was shocked when Dave Ramsey said "You live on rice and beans and don't spend a penny more than you did when you are in school until those debts are 100% paid off." I was High-Fiving DR over the radio! Someone finally bold enough to say "Your debt comes first".
After graduating I had to immediately move and replace my vehicle which was deemed a hazard to drive. I was making close to nothing but every extra penny I had went on that car payment. I lived in a undesirable part of town for cheap rent etc but I feel so good at what I accomplished that dictates how I treat debt the rest of my life.
Oh yeah- I did specifically say in my post that I was not talking about Harvard. But, if I went to Harvard I sure as heck would not borrow to go there without an EXTREMELY good chance my income would quickly rise to make paying for that education worth it. I honestly saw a news story about a girl who borrowed over $100,000 to get a English degree. Chances are, you are not going to make an income to make that debt investment worth it.

Forgot to question this.. she made 6 figures per year the first few years? this I do find hard to believe. I know a few doctors who never made that in their first few years per year In fact, one I know very well and worked in his office part time as his wife was a close friend of mine. I know for a fact their actual take home INCOME was so low after paying off his loan, his malpractice insurance and his rent (which was in a dive building since that was all he could afford), his electric had been turned off at his home a few times because they couldn't make the payments on time. Had he been making 6 figures that first year, he would have had NO problems paying all his bills... and as I stated about my nephew.. he is an attorney.. and they don't make enough right away to pay back out what they owe.. do some research on them... and you will see what I am saying.. I did post a link on here about is it really worth going to law school.. it shows just how long it takes to repay that debt...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

The real side of this is not all young kids know what makes money and doesn't some are still trying to graduate with good grades and can't decide what they want to be and you expect them to grasp this at 18 or 19 yrs old when not all parents even get this thinking. If there is no benefit to getting a degree (no monetary reward) in the end why bother??? That is what a college graduate is thinking. So do they never go for a degree because of overpriced schools. Maybe thats the real issue.
To be honest I was starting to think this generation was a bunch of pushovers Until these protest started popping up.. Every generation has stood for something backed by protest and I was starting to think we lived in a new age where everyone just is cattle emulating each other in life even if each person does not agree with it.

you are very correct.. and let us not forget that in order to get these kids to the point of making this super money.. they must first get their under grad degree.. and didn't someone have to teach them to get to that point.. what does the average K-12 teacher make.. next to nothing to start out with.. yet it takes money for them to get there.. at least that under grad degree...and for some... even that is expensive.. without money or a scholarship.. You pay all that money to come out with a starting salary of $33-35K per year.. yep, that is their salary in my area... sucks too... but without them.. no one will get anywhere.. so we must not forget that..

 

[KevGuy]

Moderator, please tell me how this "Occupy" political movement thread is relavent on a Disney budget forum and hasn't been closed??? I thought this forum was for people to discuss ways to save some money at Disney and compare notes in regards to store sales etc. of Disney related or other items. Don't get me wrong I know what "Occupy" is and I even support them myself, but just think that a thread that everyone knows will lead to political arguments is not serving anyone, at least not on a Disney Forum. If I want political discussions I'll head over to CNN or FOXnews. I don't see how a thread about the price of refillable mugs will get shut down and something like this remains open. Just sayin.....

 

[leagirl12]

I think we all can agree that alot of people are going to have to get loans to get the type of degree THEY CHOOSE TO GET. My issue with the things I am hearing is that the protesters have said they think student loans should be forgiven. Are you kidding me?? Does that mean when my DS or DD reach college that they should get a free ride too because that is basically what these people want.

I have two kids that I will have to pay for and ya know what I will do that...I don't expect anyone else to do it. If DD or DS end up with loans because they choose to become a doctor or lawyer then paying that back is something that they need to understand will be EXPECTED based on the CHOICE THEY MADE to become a doctor or lawyer or whatever degree they CHOSE to get via a loan vs going to the school and getting the degree DH and I could afford.

We are raising our kids to understand that keeping up with the Joneses is not a way of life and that is the problem with so many today...they were never taught that. The sense of entitlement in this country is appalling!

 

[disnutt]

2) I don't know when's the last time a lot of you checked, but you can't get a real job without going to college. YES I KNOW THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS. But every one of my friends from HS that didn't make it in is working as a telemarketer, in fast food, or joined the military. You try making a living on the first two and since we're considering cutting military benefits left and right even the last one is getting iffy no matter your intentions. It's not that people don't want to work, it's just you need a college degree to be a mechanic anymore almost. The blue-collar jobs are being exported and all that's left is white-collar and you need college for that. And all the kids who took out loans 4,5,6 years ago when things were stronger were fed stories by Sallie Mae etc. that they would have NO PROBLEM getting a job because they went to college and then they could pay it all back. Well guess what, they're out and there's no jobs. So I don't blame them for being angry.

QUOTE]

In my area of Western PA there are REAL jobs in manufacturing making decent money paying benefits that are going begging for good workers. That's the problem. No body really wants WORK any more. The only oil those occupiers want to get on their hands is Extra Virgin Olive or Argan.

 

[kinntj]

I think we all can agree that alot of people are going to have to get loans to get the type of degree THEY CHOOSE TO GET. My issue with the things I am hearing is that the protesters have said they think student loans should be forgiven. Are you kidding me?? Does that mean when my DS or DD reach college that they should get a free ride too because that is basically what these people want.

I have two kids that I will have to pay for and ya know what I will do that...I don't expect anyone else to do it. If DD or DS end up with loans because they choose to become a doctor or lawyer then paying that back is something that they need to understand will be EXPECTED based on the CHOICE THEY MADE to become a doctor or lawyer or whatever degree they CHOSE to get via a loan vs going to the school and getting the degree DH and I could afford.

We are raising our kids to understand that keeping up with the Joneses is not a way of life and that is the problem with so many today...they were never taught that. The sense of entitlement in this country is appalling!

 

[erisgirl44]

.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Watch MSNBC for a day.

No thanks ~ liberal media drives me crazy.

 

[momto2girls]

I think we all can agree that alot of people are going to have to get loans to get the type of degree THEY CHOOSE TO GET. My issue with the things I am hearing is that the protesters have said they think student loans should be forgiven. Are you kidding me?? Does that mean when my DS or DD reach college that they should get a free ride too because that is basically what these people want.

I have two kids that I will have to pay for and ya know what I will do that...I don't expect anyone else to do it. If DD or DS end up with loans because they choose to become a doctor or lawyer then paying that back is something that they need to understand will be EXPECTED based on the CHOICE THEY MADE to become a doctor or lawyer or whatever degree they CHOSE to get via a loan vs going to the school and getting the degree DH and I could afford.

We are raising our kids to understand that keeping up with the Joneses is not a way of life and that is the problem with so many today...they were never taught that. The sense of entitlement in this country is appalling!

Bravo!! Well said.


I don't get this movement at all. Of course, I wasn't raised to feel that anyone owed me anything, so this just isn't a mentality that I can embrace.

I do absolutely support their right to protest even though it makes no sense to me. However, I don't want to be lumped in with them. They absolutely do NOT represent me.

 

[lizabu]

I brought up Uni of Hawaii.. you brought up someone paying her tuition there.. she went there to find work, then decided that she would try to attend classes while working as a server too.. but we cannot afford the tuition since it is out of state.. where we live the unemployment rate is like 11%. Her boyfriend is stationed out there (Navy Seal) & is being deployed to Afghanistan soon. She figured she had nothing to loose by going out there to look for work. She put her education on hold since we couldn't afford for her to go "full time" home now.. she wanted to attend law school. When she saw how much it was, and I didn't want her to take out any loans.. she didn't know what else she wanted to do.. she thought about maybe just using her "communications" degree for a while and see what happens. She went to Hawaii.. when she saw she wasn't getting any real "jobs", she figured she would take some classes towards her Masters. When she saw the out of state tuition she called us to help, it is crazy.. and we aren't going to pay that when she can come home and we can pay 1/4 of that. So now she is just looking for a "real" job once again.

I am not trying to be nasty to anyone here.. but seems some weren't getting my point.. I only started my posts to show how one can really rack up the loans.. loans that I will not allow my child to rack up.. I don't want any of my children having to start their life off in debt... ever.. my sister in law has 2 mtgs on her home due to her son.. he went to law school.. and he landed a job with a firm on wall street in NYC.. he hates it.. and told my DD to really be sure she even wanted to go to law school before money was laid out.. if he had to do it over, he would not have gone. He is trying to help pay down the mtg for them.. he isn't making anything.. all the money is going to paying the bills.. it isn't worth it... he is a lucky one too.. he got in with a good firm.. people seem to think that life is so easy and to remain debt free.. it isn't always the case.. yes, it is a choice to some degree.. but for some.. there isn't any other way to get to college... if you have no money, no scholarship, and do want to go further than a Masters.. what do you do? again.. further than a masters.....

Wow...maybe your DD should have used her waitressing money to pay for school instead of buying a brand new 2011 car.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

no, you are the one who asked.. I merely tried to show how one could and would be in debt due to college.. I showed how expensive it can be to attend.. seems some here think college ends at the Masters level.. sure, you can remain debt free up to that level.. but beyond that you cannot.. you will endure some debt to continue on past that.. and you cannot work while going for some degrees beyond your Masters.. When my DD looked into law school at UF, she was told by the admissions office that you are NOT allowed to work during your first year in law school.. and I want to say off the top of my head that tuition was like $43K... not sure about you, but I cannot afford that nor could she.. not even the two of us together.. she would have had to taken out loans to attend..

I have a cousin, a CIL & a BIL the 1st two have completed law school and the 3rd is in his 3rd year, yes they have a lot of debt - but luckily they've landed and secured excellent paying jobs. I know that's not the case for all law students ~ I think a lot has to do with where you go to school, the cousins went to the U of Chicago *I think - it was in Chi for sure* and to a law school in D.C. - the BIL is also in Chicago, he'll be clerking for a judge in PA upon graduation *for a year* then off to S CA *yay Disneyland* for a job with company he interned with this past summer.
I have another 2 cousins ~ 1 is a pharmacist the other is in her 2nd of 3 years. The 1st has an excellent job, just bought a house - they put/are putting in a lot of time & money and it's paying off.

They're inspirations for sure ~ so are my other 2 cousins who are accountants, I'd like to go that route or perhaps pharmacy.....