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July 16, 2004
I've Paid the Price
It's taken me almost 10 years to do it, but I've finally paid off my student loans for college. What I bought with my money: a bachelor of Arts in Acting and Directing, a summer programme in Oxford and Edinburgh Scotland and the first few payments on my then new Ford Ranger.
The degree's worth sort of speaks for itself. I did manage to get a number of grants and scholarships but that just wasn't enough to cover everything. In addition to actually having learned things, that piece of paper almost always means I'll make more money in any given job than someone who doesn't have a similar piece of paper. The Oxford/Edinburgh Summer Programme was my first time out of the country, my first time on a large trip on my own and unsurpervised and the first time I had any inkling of who I might be as an adult. It was my chance to see the world and discover that I really liked seeing the world. The car payments paid for the first 3 payments of my first new and first reliable mode of transportation. I was in school at the time and could not have covered the payments otherwise. I loved that Ford Ranger. It got me to Nebraska, South Carolina, Florida and more places than I can count. It's been through floods, snow storms and really big mountains with an "I-don't-know-how-to-drive-through-mountains" driver. I learned how to drive through mountains with that truck. It also helped me move more times than I'd like to remember. It still lives on as what I hope is reliable transportation for my Auntie Godmother and her husband.
So in the end, it really stunk shelling out that money every month for almost 10 years but I must say, I'd do it all again if I had to. It'll be the best investment I've made probably in my entire life. The returns are already overwhelming.
Posted by mermu at July 16, 2004 10:03 AM
Comments
That's true...and I believe if I can get 6 more couples together I get to go to Chinese Heaven. Hey, does it count that Deon met his current girlfriend on a job that I got him while he was unemployed? I think it might if they get hitched. Okay...so that's potentially 5 more couples. And Pru is dating one of my friends now...no pressure Pru...but he's a really great guy. Chinese Heaven here I come.
Posted by: ME at July 18, 2004 11:14 AM
Congratulations on getting the loan paid off and being aware of how worthwhile it proved to be. I still remember getting Pat's school loan paid off after 10 years - it seemed like so much money every spring at that time but it seems a very small amount now.
Posted by: Cynthia at July 17, 2004 09:08 AM
Ah ha ha, very funny, Stepan. Be careful or I'll tell you "gory" childbirth stories next time y'all are over for dinner!
Posted by: Elizabeth at July 17, 2004 12:21 AM
It sounds like your cousin should have helped you pay off those student loans...
Posted by: stepan at July 16, 2004 05:54 PM
I would add that the Oxford/Edinburgh programme also allowed you to provide your cousin with a husband--many thanks indeed! He's been a good one for 10 years this year .
Posted by: Elizabeth at July 16, 2004 02:33 PM
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