Parents, although divorced, will join forces in the effort to set up their young student 300 miles away with all of the comforts of home. Why would some normally rational and intelligent people ignore the fact that within 15 miles of their home, there are two superior junior colleges plus two exceptionally well accredited 4+ year colleges?

So many of us have bought into a bill of goods in the name of good parenting that we feel guilty if we do not spend our entire economic future paying for our children's education.

So what does education have to do with Credit/Debt Management? If you have to ask that, you do not have kids or do not know that an ultra conservative estimate of a college education now exceeds $10000. In fact, according to figures from Weber State University, the average cost at a public 4-year university was $3356 per year. The average cost at a private college was $15,380 per year. These figures do not include the cost of books, computers, living expenses, etc. And those figures will not be heading downward in the near future.

"But I owe it to them," you say. Says who? The truth is colleges and universities have sold this myth which is another reason tuition is up. Mommy and Daddy have more money, therefore we need a campaign to pry the money loose; and we can tell them, that is how it has always been done.

Wrong. Many students earn their own way through college and graduate school without parental financing. Granted, they have to be rather creative and perhaps it took a little longer, but they got the job done. Most learned initiative, self reliance, tenacity, and perseverance along the way.

Here is the bottom line. If our youth really want an education, they will get it regardless of whether mommy and daddy have the money or not. That, is the way it has always been. Take a look at the facts. According to government statistics:

    *

      The average career (not job) is changed 5 times.
    *

      85% of graduates do not work in their chosen field.
    *

      An overwhelming number of wealth producing positions (sales, service management, business ownership, most trades, etc.) "prefer" but often do not "require" academic achievement. Climbing the ladder often has less to do with academic credential as it does tenacity.

In fact, a solid preparation for these and many other jobs involves knowledge from a general education that can be acquired at any 2 year community college. What is mostly sought by such employers are self reliance, initiative, and an energetic attitude.

Competition is very keen in many professional positions such as doctors, lawyers, etc. But what about the other 95% of professions? I cannot recall a single interview I have ever given or received, where college location was an issue. In addition to that, often two years of college would have sufficed. A few times a four year degree was needed. And rarely was a graduate degree needed.

While going to school, an instructor of mine put it all into perspective for me. He said, "Everybody knows what B.S. is. Well, an M.S. is more of the same and a PhD is simply piled higher and deeper."

So should parents help? Of course. But how? Is paying for an education our primary responsibility or preparing our children for an improved adult life? Maybe we should be helping by guiding, offering common sense, and offering alternate courses of action.

Does junior have to go to school with his friends across the nation or does he/she really want an education that can begin in the local two year college while living at home and working part time?

The military has always been an outstanding method of getting an education including professional residency programs. This method can instill unique lessons taught on no other campus in the world.

Perhaps a trade school is a better answer. Maybe we can help locate a trade apprentice program. How about helping our kids find a work share program where an employer pays part of the tuition or pays cost if the employee gets good grades.

Mom and Dad need to prepare their children for adult life and what better way to do it than by example. Finance an institution reluctantly, or better yet not at all. Offer alternatives. Guide in choices. Teach self reliance. But most importantly for your future, keep your credit and dollars flowing in a positive direction. Now that, is an education worth having.