Cassandra:
I did go back and did get the degrees that I wanted, and am living "poor" and paying it back, as you are. But I'm probably 40 years older than you are. There are tons like me out there, who didn't have those "choices" when young.
You will have the energy and years to recoup all the loans, but I know it does feel like a load.

Many jobs now are not paying what their degrees "cost" and that will probably not change, and it isn't in the last four years that that has occurred either. There are other rewards in the end, and you sound like you know it.

There was a great article on the MSN page, which I normally don't like all that much, this week. It said if you are doing this "rehab way" GREAT and move up every 3 to4 years. But it also said that a certain percentage are losing all their profits and equity increases by the route of credit card debt, 2nd and 3rd mortgage lines on the increased values and letting the places go into disrepair, while they are living in these most desired locations.

I give people credit who want to take these burdens on and have that kind of load for just the "house."

JJ5, I think you were responding to GoTravel and not me.... if you really were 40 yrs. older than I am and are still working, you belong in Guinness Bk of Records and the AARP Hall of Intimidating Centenarian Role Models!

No, I was responding to Alisa's post and not yours, but I also thought that you were much younger. But I am no spring chicken, either. And I've lived long enough to see many things that "can't happen"- happen with real estate values. And also some people want to work way beyond "retirement" age. We have a village employee who is in her late 80's in my town and she does a great job. There is age discrimination out there, and it's the one in the "jobs" category that you hear the least about. Lots of working older people don't like to advertise their age.

Blush -- so many people here think I look younger than I am!!! Guess it's possible to sound immature even when you're entitled to Silver Wings coupons ;-) !

If you are actually forty years older than me JJ5, you would be way past the age of retirement! But, thanks for the compliment.

Actually, my "investment" in student loans, although worthwhile in terms of my current job security and satisfaction is worthwhile, it is terrible financially.

I spent over 12 years in training, making less than $38,000 for the last four years of residency, working at times over 100 hours a week. I now have costly loans and malpractice insurance rates.

While many of my friends were finished with grad school years before me, making a decent salary, having children and saving for retirement, I had nothing financially.

If I had taken a job with the city as a bus driver, making $50,000/year with full benefits. starting at the age of 20.....I would be in much better shape!

I don't understand what you mean by my having more "choices" when I was younger?

Alisa,
The "unwashed" will never understand.
I retired in late August 2003. My medical career ('67 - '03) included six years of internship, two residencies and fellowship and three years active duty in the USN before starting private practice at age 36. Fortunately, I had no education debt unlike about 85% of today's med school grads.
As a DX Radiologist/Nuclear Medicine Specialist (retread Internist), I was able to "catch up quickly", but that opportunity is less available today.
Vaya con Dios, mi amiga.
M

Health care just ain't what it used to be.Anyone I know who went to medical school usually had to cope with National Health Service Corps and or hustling locums or moonlighting jobs.
These have been notoriously low paying and usually don't include health care benefits. Go figure!