College degree or not?

[Pigeon]

But it probably buys her some time to get some sort of education. That is all I am trying to say.

Again, if my DH passes away, I am covered fro a VERY long time. He made sure of that. Now does that mean I won't work or go back and finish my education no. But life insurance needs to be purchased and enough to provide financial security for a good length of time.

She's 51 years old. She has a BA, in computer science, but hasn't worked in the field in nearly 30 years. Nobody is going to hire her to do computer science. If she went back to get a Masters, she would have to essentially get a bachelor's first, because it has been so long. To get a first job at 55 or so, well, I wish her luck with that, but I think she'll end up doing check out at Target if she's lucky. So sad.

 

[DVCBELLE]

I have a college degree and am a SAHM...I worked until I had kids but not in the field I studied.

We have a generous life insurance policy on my DH...enough for me to pull myself together and start working but I would not have to right away and I would probably spend time getting a masters in a program that I know now would capitalize on my strengths!

 

[mhsjax]

She's 51 years old. She has a BA, in computer science, but hasn't worked in the field in nearly 30 years. Nobody is going to hire her to do computer science. If she went back to get a Masters, she would have to essentially get a bachelor's first, because it has been so long. To get a first job at 55 or so, well, I wish her luck with that, but I think she'll end up doing check out at Target if she's lucky. So sad.

That is sad. So really what everyone here should be saying is that yes you should go to college(which I 100% agree with) and then you can never stop working because on the off chance that your DH passes away and you don't have enough insurance, you are basically screwed. I am being somewhat sarcastic and somewhat not sarcastic. Based on everyone here telling me that life insurance won't cut it, well then you need to go to college, get a job and never stay home with your kids.

It is a sad situation. I am very blessed in the fact that with his life insurance, survivors benefits form his job and being able to keep his fantastic health benefits I will be fine. Like I said earlier, he tells me that financially I am better of if he was dead. Not that I would ever want that to happen, I would rather be penniless with him than very set financially without him.

It is these reasons, job market, economy etc, that I am sorry I had kids. I worry for them. I don't want my kids to have to send their kids to daycare if they don't want to. I am somewhat old fashioned and I believe that mom should stay home if she can. I don't want to start a debate, other feel differently and that is fine. This is the way I feel. But it is a sad situation out there.

 

[vicki_c]

That is sad. So really what everyone here should be saying is that yes you should go to college(which I 100% agree with) and then you can never stop working because on the off chance that your DH passes away and you don't have enough insurance, you are basically screwed. I am being somewhat sarcastic and somewhat not sarcastic. Based on everyone here telling me that life insurance won't cut it, well then you need to go to college, get a job and never stay home with your kids.

It is a sad situation. I am very blessed in the fact that with his life insurance, survivors benefits form his job and being able to keep his fantastic health benefits I will be fine. Like I said earlier, he tells me that financially I am better of if he was dead. Not that I would ever want that to happen, I would rather be penniless with him than very set financially without him.

It is these reasons, job market, economy etc, that I am sorry I had kids. I worry for them. I don't want my kids to have to send their kids to daycare if they don't want to. I am somewhat old fashioned and I believe that mom should stay home if she can. I don't want to start a debate, other feel differently and that is fine. This is the way I feel. But it is a sad situation out there.

Well if nothing else, you are gender biased. At my house, the bigger concern would be something happening to me, not my husband. I mostly think you are really judgmental regarding your situation and what works for others. And I can't believe you said you are sorry you had kids - that is the saddest statement of all.

 

[DVCBELLE]

I forgot to add that I don't think I wasted my college degree at all. I use the skills I learned at college everyday.

I volunteer at school and am the president of a non-profit board. I am able to help my kids with their homework and participate in discussions on a wide variety of topics.

By going to college - I showed my kids that we value education and that they are expected to do well in school and they know that attending college is a requirement.

 

[mhsjax]

Well if nothing else, you are gender biased. At my house, the bigger concern would be something happening to me, not my husband. I mostly think you are really judgmental regarding your situation and what works for others. And I can't believe you said you are sorry you had kids - that is the saddest statement of all.

Wow, sorry about being gender based, I will change that to spouse staying home, because yes I do know that men stay home too.

As to the rest, No I am not being judgmental at all, I said that I am very fortunate, but no one seems to answer the question I asked. Isn't purchasing life insurance a financially responsible thing to do? Everyone here just jumped on about how it doesn't cover you for the rest of your life. the question was not answered. I stated that I thought getting a college education was very important. And sorry, but purchasing life insurance (if you can get it) isn't just what works for me, it is a sound thing to do. I guess I thought with all of the college grads around here, that maybe that was a given.



So I will ask again, did you purchase life insurance to hold your DH over in case you passed away? Isn't that the responsible thing to do, weather or not your DH has a degree or not?

As far as being sorry I had kids, only because I fear for them and what is going on in the world. I bet most people would say the same thing. I love them too much to want to see them try and struggle in this messed up world where you have to have a degree to get a job as a janitor. Sorry if you don't understand that.

 

[vicki_c]

As far as being sorry I had kids, only because I fear for them and what is going on in the world. I bet most people would say the same thing. I love them too much to want to see them try and struggle in this messed up world where you have to have a degree to get a job as a janitor. Sorry if you don't understand that.

I don't understand it at all. And I really don't think most people would say anything like that.

I was going to include a bunch of stuff here, but decided it was really more personal than I would be comfortable stating on a message board. So I'll just leave it as - I don't think any well-considered choice regarding life insurance is irresponsible; many people have different opinions on what is needed. Life insurance salespeople usually have a pretty strong opinion on it, KWIM?

 

[Colleen27]

Do people have enough life insurance to get them through the rest of their lives and support for their children through college? I don't think I know anyone who has a life insurance policy worth that much money (what it would take to continue to run our household and provide for our family until my kids are out on their own, or until the surviving spouse died, assuming a normal life expectancy).

Not enough to get through the rest of my life, but we certainly have enough that I could take a few years to finish/refresh my education before having to go back to work. The insurance we have on DH would run our household for about 12-15 years, including continuing to contribute to college and retirement savings.

I don't think I'd be very comfortable as a SAHM, with or without a degree, if there wasn't enough insurance to cover at least a couple years' expenses because even with a degree one can't count on finding work immediately.

She's 51 years old. She has a BA, in computer science, but hasn't worked in the field in nearly 30 years. Nobody is going to hire her to do computer science. If she went back to get a Masters, she would have to essentially get a bachelor's first, because it has been so long. To get a first job at 55 or so, well, I wish her luck with that, but I think she'll end up doing check out at Target if she's lucky. So sad.

That's getting into a different discussion entirely, though... The degree and experience pre-kids don't make a lick of difference in that situation, so essentially the only way to eliminate the risk of ending up in that situation is never to leave the workforce at all.

 

[mhsjax]

I don't understand it at all. And I really don't think most people would say anything like that.

I was going to include a bunch of stuff here, but decided it was really more personal than I would be comfortable stating on a message board. So I'll just leave it as - I don't think any well-considered choice regarding life insurance is irresponsible; many people have different opinions on what is needed. Life insurance salespeople usually have a pretty strong opinion on it, KWIM?

Ok, well, I don't understand either, so we are even. I don't think I have ever seen or heard from anyone that life insurance is not a good idea. We contacted our life insurance co., they didn't contact us. But whatever works for you, go for it.

 

[mhsjax]

Not enough to get through the rest of my life, but we certainly have enough that I could take a few years to finish/refresh my education before having to go back to work. The insurance we have on DH would run our household for about 12-15 years, including continuing to contribute to college and retirement savings.

I don't think I'd be very comfortable as a SAHM, with or without a degree, if there wasn't enough insurance to cover at least a couple years' expenses because even with a degree one can't count on finding work immediately.



That's getting into a different discussion entirely, though... The degree and experience pre-kids don't make a lick of difference in that situation, so essentially the only way to eliminate the risk of ending up in that situation is never to leave the workforce at all.

Exactly. Maybe someone does understand what I am trying to say.

 

[bluesaturn]

Exactly. Maybe someone does understand what I am trying to say.

But what if you husband (or the working spouse) leaves you - rather than dying? Or becomes disabled and has to go on disability? Would you get more money from a life insurance policy than you would in these other situations?

 

[palavra]

HS Diploma yes is good
College Education was total waste of my time. I 2 degrees and several certificates and work at day care cooking

College degree has not help get a better job at all. I was working teacher until I got fired. Then went to get minimum wage jobs because I could not find nothing better.

I will let my kids decide whether not want go college. I will not force them go. I will make sure they get high school diploma.

By the way my I got total free ride to college for both degrees. I have no student loans at all.

Now flamed away.

This has got to be a troll, right? If not, then I would say that, yes, college was a waste of time for you. Wow

 

[chrpai]

I've taken a non-traditional path to get where I am in my career but I recognize that I am the exception and not the rule. I put money in 529 accounts each month to be able to provide for my DD's what my father was not able to provide for me.

For the lucky few.... raw intelligence, drive and opportunity can go a very long way. Success builds upon success and after awhile most people don't question why you don't have a degree. Some doors will remain closed but many more are open.

 

[cocodog]

Education is one thing that no one can ever take away from you. For me, college was the right choice. I am an engineer. After graduation, I worked 10+ years.

This included a couple years after we had our first child. My husband and I decided for me to stay home after the second was born. It was a huge financial sacrifice, and I feel blessed that I was able to be home for 7+ years. I also enjoyed a couple years employed as an assistant at the elementary school where my children were.

A contact at school found out about my background and urged me to pursue employment in my field. I was hired at the agency where I applied, and have advanced quickly due to both my education and experience. It was a good thing I got in when I did. The economy tanked arounfd that time, and my agency has gone from a 6- month hiring freeze, a pay increase freeze, to an indefinite hiring freeze. I feel thankful to have gotten in when I did.

I believe that women should be fully self- sufficient. I can't imagine ever being without my husband, but no one knows what life has in store. I owe it to my family to be able to support them should something catastrophic happen. Additionally, college gave me an experience like no other and education in many more ways than academic. Being an alum is a bit like a club of some sort.

That said, it's not for everyone. If one is contemplating it, however, it might be worth a try I think the key idea here is being flexible in your ideas and approach and understanding that attitude is a major factor in your satisfaction in life.

 

[sophie832]

From a purely job-based perspective, I couldn't have gotten my job without a Bachelor's degree, and DH hasn't been able to apply for a lot of jobs because he only has an AA degree. He's currently working on getting his Bachelor's. I think there are a lot of people who manage to make a lot of money without a college degree, but having the degree does make it easier to find a job.

However, regardless of career choices, I loved getting my education. I love learning, and I am proud of my degrees. I got my MBA, and although it doesn't make a huge difference in my career path (it makes a small difference in regards to promotions), I am just proud of myself.

I always tell people it's never too late to finish that degree! My mom finished hers in her late 30s, and got her Master's in her mid-40s, and I think that's awesome. She tells me it only gets harder as you get older, though, so I would take the educational opportunities when you're young.

 

[mhsjax]

But what if you husband (or the working spouse) leaves you - rather than dying? Or becomes disabled and has to go on disability? Would you get more money from a life insurance policy than you would in these other situations?

Well he is disabled so he can't work but because of what he did, there is a great disability insurance.

NOw, my question is this. Why is everyone questioning me. I simply asked what about life insurance because people are saying what if your spouse dies. One pp said hers died at an early age. I also stated that I though getting a college degree was a smart idea and that I supported it 100%. For some reason people seem to think that I am depending on life insurance alone. In my case yes it would be enough with the other things that I am entitled to, but I realize that this isn't the case for most people. I simply asked the question: Isn't getting a life insurance policy a responsible thing to do, and no one seems to answer that question, all anyone wants to do is turn it around and insinuate that I don't think a college degree is a good thing.

I wish someone would show me where I said that a college degree isn't worth getting and that you should depend on your spouse for everything.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Life insurance is very important. I don't want my children to have to sell the house or not be able to pay any bills that come due should I pass away.

Back when I was growing up my father was the sole breadwinner. In addition to having life insurance on himself, he had life insurance on my mother until the youngest of us was in college. Why? So that he could afford to hire a housekeeper/cook/nanny to do the chores my mother did while he would continue to work and support the family. Thankfully neither policy had to be used... but I was taught growing up that insurance is important.

Good question!

I do. Sorry. And even if you don't. It is just common sense to have enough to at least supply enough income to where the surviving spouse can go and get an education if they don't have one.

jI never said it had to carry you through your entire life. Although I know many people that have enough that it could. I just said it was vary irresponsible not to have it, at least enough to hole the surviving spouse over for a while without sending them into a financial hardship. Why is that so hard to understand?

 

[bluesaturn]

Well he is disabled so he can't work but because of what he did, there is a great disability insurance.

NOw, my question is this. Why is everyone questioning me. I simply asked what about life insurance because people are saying what if your spouse dies. One pp said hers died at an early age. I also stated that I though getting a college degree was a smart idea and that I supported it 100%. For some reason people seem to think that I am depending on life insurance alone. In my case yes it would be enough with the other things that I am entitled to, but I realize that this isn't the case for most people. I simply asked the question: Isn't getting a life insurance policy a responsible thing to do, and no one seems to answer that question, all anyone wants to do is turn it around and insinuate that I don't think a college degree is a good thing.

I wish someone would show me where I said that a college degree isn't worth getting and that you should depend on your spouse for everything.

Well I questioned you because this is a message board, so it's kind of what you do.

I asked my particular question because I honestly didn't/don't know how disability payout compares to life insurance. Nor do I know how child support/spousal support compare to life insurance, for example can you live off it for an extended time.

 

[Swimalie]

So I will ask again, did you purchase life insurance to hold your DH over in case you passed away? Isn't that the responsible thing to do, weather or not your DH has a degree or not?
.

You want an answer, here is one. Yes, we have life insurance. We have it on both of us. My husband has it on him through his work and I have a term policy to take him through my son's college days. I am a stay at home mom and we felt that it was important to cover me if something happened to me so my husband could pay for help. We also fund a college fund for our son in addition, though. Both of us have college degrees and we expect our son to go to college. He says he wants to be a "soldier" (like his grandfather - my dad) in the Army and we told him a degree would be important. But then again, he's 5 so we know that will change.

 

[Judique]

I am a SAHM to 2 beautiful, , and young kids and I do NOT have a college degree. But I wish I did. I am always fearful of the unknown and the fact that if something happened I don't know how I would provide for my children.
That being said, I plan on going back to school in the next year or so and finding a degree in something that I will enjoy. I would love to go to school to become a teacher, but at 31 and only going back part-time, I worry that I am too old to commit to that much education.

The key here is that you would love to go to school. Do it for yourself!

As soon as I retire (I'm eligible now because of the years of service) I'm going back to school. I can afford to and I want the mental stimulation.

You are never too old.