Student Loan Debt?

[jyoutz]

I've been in my career for 22 years now after graduating Magna *** Laude from a state university. What I've found is that the things you enjoy at 25 are not necessarily the things you enjoy at 45 and certainly won't enjoy at 65. Life changes, priorities change, and interests change. So what it boils down to is earning a living and keeping the bills paid, and lots of times I wonder if it would have been better to leave off the years of paying college debt and just go straight to work in a trade. I would have been far ahead financially, and may have still ended up happy and doing something cool at this middle-aged point in life anyhow.

My son is almost 17 and I'm 99% sure he is not going to waste time in college.

The key is to decide what you want to do, then going forward to do what’s needed to get there, be it college, trade school, or apprenticeship. But you can pay the bills doing something you enjoy. It’s not either/or.

 

[paulsharvey]

I was building commercial and multifamily residential until the 08 crash and went into inspection side on linear/horizontal construction (roads/utilities, ect). I Hated inspection for the first 3 years of doing it; But, once you get good at something, you learn to like it. Point being, I was forced to change, against my will, but when you get good at something, you may not enjoy it, but you learn to kinda like it. At this point, although I've had a couple chances to go back, I wouldn't; for multiple reasons; stress, moving every 3-9 month, ect

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

We can now live on $36k per year, and we have the ability for earning two incomes. I just need to coast until 59.5

 

[riptides]

We can now live on $36k per year, and we have the ability for earning two incomes. I just need to coast until 59.5

Before or after taxes?

 

[JJT]

So, would the complaining party have to prove that you have negatively impacted them to take it to court?

Probably. I've seen some absolutely ridiculous deed restrictions. 1) Owners must be God fearing and 2) No illegal drug use are two examples. A fairly common deed restriction - No single wide mobile homes.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Before or after taxes?

After tax. That includes sinking funds for home repairs, auto repairs and future auto purchases.

 

[newbury]

The key is to decide what you want to do, then going forward to do what’s needed to get there, be it college, trade school, or apprenticeship. But you can pay the bills doing something you enjoy. It’s not either/or.

And be prepared to be flexible.
I was "college trained" as a field biologist and worked in the Army as enlisted, then civilian for ~ 5 years doing mapping. Loved the job, lots of travel in the US, good people. Then I found myself advising more and more people on how to get their computers to work and what to buy.
Transitioned over to teaching computer mapping to almost every place the Army had a topo unit. From 1997 to about 2010 ended up being on travel all over the world for about 2 weeks per month. All for support of units going to support "the War on Terror" Lots of job enjoyment, minimal biology.

Another key is to know when to quit.

 

[Blue Mule]

The key is to decide what you want to do, then going forward to do what’s needed to get there, be it college, trade school, or apprenticeship. But you can pay the bills doing something you enjoy. It’s not either/or.

Yes. But I think you missed my point. If you ask somebody in their 20s what they enjoy, the answer you get won't usually be the same as the answer you'll get when you ask that person the same question in their 40s, or 60s...

So the idea of chasing a career that you'll enjoy when you're fresh out of high school is often times a lost cause.

 

[jyoutz]

Yes. But I think you missed my point. If you ask somebody in their 20s what they enjoy, the answer you get won't usually be the same as the answer you'll get when you ask that person the same question in their 40s, or 60s...

So the idea of chasing a career that you'll enjoy when you're fresh out of high school is often times a lost cause.

It is very much an individualized thing. I have studied and worked in the career field I chose when I was 18 for 43 years and still am active in my professional society. My youngest son has a masters in business finance and he has changed jobs and employers, yet continued to work in finance. My oldest son is working on his PhD in wildlife science and loves that study and has worked several consulting jobs while in school. He will complete his program soon and should have no problems working in his field with the experience and education he has accumulated. But yes, I know a lot of people who have made mid career changes. Someone has to make a decision and go forward chasing their interests. In some cases those will change over time, while others will not. What else can you do but pursue your interests? It’s miserable to do a job you hate or find boring.

Edit: one last thought. It’s my observation that most people will change employers/jobs several times in their careers, but tend to remain in their broad career field, so education and experience aren’t irrelevant.

 

[paulsharvey]

Probably. I've seen some absolutely ridiculous deed restrictions. 1) Owners must be God fearing and 2) No illegal drug use are two examples. A fairly common deed restriction - No single wide mobile homes.

On specifically mobile homes; by definition no mobiles have been build since like 1986. Manufactered homes by definition are not the same thing.

 

[MossRoad]

On specifically mobile homes; by definition no mobiles have been build since like 1986. Manufactered homes by definition are not the same thing.

Yet they still call them mobile homes...

Mobile Homes For Sale | Modular Home Floorplans | Next Modular

We’ve got hundreds of mobile home floorplans to choose from, and we will customize your home to your specific needs. Click now to learn more.

www.nextmodular.com

 

[paulsharvey]

Yet they still call them mobile homes...

Mobile Homes For Sale | Modular Home Floorplans | Next Modular

We’ve got hundreds of mobile home floorplans to choose from, and we will customize your home to your specific needs. Click now to learn more.

www.nextmodular.com

Before June 15, 1976, mobile home and I believe no building code; after June 15, 1976 Manufactured Home, meets HUD/other National building codes (not subject to state/local building codes); and Modulars are subject to all state/local building codes but not subject to HUD.

 

[MossRoad]

Before June 15, 1976, mobile home and I believe no building code; after June 15, 1976 Manufactured Home, meets HUD/other National building codes (not subject to state/local building codes); and Modulars are subject to all state/local building codes but not subject to HUD.

View attachment 870370

Yeah, I know. Yet dealers are still calling them mobile homes today.

Found this description pretty helpful...

"Manufactured homes are built on a chassis consisting of main steel beams and cross members; fitted axles, leaf springs, and wheels making up the running gear; and a steel hitch assembly. The hitch assembly is generally removed for appearance purposes.

One easy way to distinguish between a manufactured home and a modular home is to look at the framing. A manufactured home will generally have a metal frame while a modular home will typically have a wood frame. However, the metal frame of a manufactured home may not be visible if it has been placed on a permanent foundation and skirted to look as though was a "stick-built" home constructed on site."

I'd consider anything with leaf springs and axles a mobile home even though HUD calls it a manufactured home.

 

[paulsharvey]

Even still, there are on frame and off frame modulars; as well as manufactured homes of 3, 4, or even 5 separate sections. Also, is the HUD definition the only one? Does a local county or city have a separate definition? Modular in range from a double wide with frame and axles to 10 plus room 'modules' that are attached to a poured foundation.

 

[MossRoad]

Even still, there are on frame and off frame modulars; as well as manufactured homes of 3, 4, or even 5 separate sections. Also, is the HUD definition the only one? Does a local county or city have a separate definition? Modular in range from a double wide with frame and axles to 10 plus room 'modules' that are attached to a poured foundation.

Some friends of ours have a nice little 2 story cape cod modular home. No one could tell it's not built on site.

Another acquaintance of mine has a nice ranch style modular. Her husband is an engineer and figured out the size needed for a full-length steel beam down the middle, so they have a full clear-span basement. Very nice. She went modular because it was done in 4 weeks VS a stick built.

 

[two_bit_score]

Hmm, doesn't all land pretty much gave a zoning that sets a maximum number of residential units per acre? Sure, it might be 1 housing unit per 5 acres, or per 10 acres. or it might be as high as 10+ housing units per acre, but I think pretty much everything has a restriction.

In Texas we have a lot of unrestricted land for sale.

Here is an example:
>>>
Situated just south of the Chinati Mountains and approximately 15 miles north of Presidio, TX, this gorgeous 10-acre parcel offers majestic views in all directions.

Great for those who wish to live off the grid or want to get away from busy city life. Bring your RV or 5th Wheel and enjoy amazing sunsets and beautiful landscapes!

Other local attractions include the Shafter Ghost Town, Elephant Rock and Marfa, TX, home of the infamous "Marfa Lights".

This parcel is part of the Trans-Pecos Region and local wildlife consists of Whitetail, dove, Mule Deer and Aoudad.

No restrictions. <<<<

 

[plowhog]

I've seen some absolutely ridiculous deed restrictions.

I purchased a residence in a nice neighborhood in CA in the 1980's, then upgraded to an even nicer one in the same neighborhood a few years later. I had to sign a deed restriction on both that I could not resell to african american or asian buyers. The title company gave me a disclaimer saying it was not enforceable due to court challenges. But, since it was in the CCR's, legally, they had no choice but to present it.

It has been done away with now.

 

[two_bit_score]

I purchased a residence in a nice neighborhood in CA in the 1980's, then upgraded to an even nicer one in the same neighborhood a few years later. I had to sign a deed restriction on both that I could not resell to african american or asian buyers. The title company gave me a disclaimer saying it was not enforceable due to court challenges. But, since it was in the CCR's, legally, they had no choice but to present it.

It has been done away with now.

We recently looked at a potential house a few months ago where the owner had a proposed deed restriction that allowed him to approve any future buyers. He would get the option to buy the house back if he did not want a potential buyer I might sell to. First time I have ever encountered that. I understand why he wanted it but it wouldn't work for me.

 

[paulsharvey]

@two_bit_score so 'no restrictions' means you can put a 240 unit apartment complex in? That was my point that most stuff has some level of restriction, like 1 home per 2 acres or no high intensity industrial. I didn't mean homes must be site built, and 2500 sq ft or greater.


Even 25 ft front and 10 ft side lot set backs are a form of restrictions.

Although I think most will agree too much restrictions are bad: I'm not 100% convinced some limited form of land use rules aren't a good thing.

 

[ultrarunner]

It is very much an individualized thing. I have studied and worked in the career field I chose when I was 18 for 43 years and still am active in my professional society. My youngest son has a masters in business finance and he has changed jobs and employers, yet continued to work in finance. My oldest son is working on his PhD in wildlife science and loves that study and has worked several consulting jobs while in school. He will complete his program soon and should have no problems working in his field with the experience and education he has accumulated. But yes, I know a lot of people who have made mid career changes. Someone has to make a decision and go forward chasing their interests. In some cases those will change over time, while others will not. What else can you do but pursue your interests? It’s miserable to do a job you hate or find boring.

Edit: one last thought. It’s my observation that most people will change employers/jobs several times in their careers, but tend to remain in their broad career field, so education and experience aren’t irrelevant.

See that in nursing where some come to it early and others much later in life.

One of our RN's trained and worked as BMW factory trained mechanic and later in the US did 12 years as BMW service writer....

He got tired of the job always selling and decided to become.RN at 40...

Worked 20 years mostly trauma and as a flight nurse... said it was the most rewarding...