| richardhutnik said:
Ok, look over the ways that are laid out as the norm for trying to get ahead in society, these choices you describe, and feel free to list any others: * Go to college, get a degree, advance that way. Well, considering the size of student loan debt incurred to borrow, combined with uncertainty of getting a job, means that isn't a golden path. Well, what got bantied about on here is, "Stupid students picked majors in areas that don't have jobs!". Well what DO provide suficient jobs for college graduates today? Back in the day, I went and got a Masters in Information Systems, off my B.S degree in Management, with the idea that the computer science degree would be worth something. Well, things changed, and that went out. I face circumstances even going to a private college in upstate New York for my B.S degree (after researching schools) to a school not near anything. I tried to make smart decisions. Heck, I almost even landed an interview back in the day, due to my posting about Madden football on a basketball forum, but I was in NY state at the time. Yes, I tried to make the best decisions possible, did eventually land a job with IBM, then the plug got pulled. |
With the unemployment rate of 4.2% people with college degrees are doing substantially better than those without college degrees, and (from the few recent statistics I have seen and from personal experience) people with degrees in Computer Science, Information Systems and Engineering are doing substantially better than average for college graduates. Why this didn't work out for you is a mystery, and likely is related to something very specific to you, but not knowing enough I can’t say what it is for you.
With that said this doesn’t refute my point. Right now I’m fairly certain there are decisions you’re aware of which have the potential to increase your income level that you could make. It could be picking up an additional (probably low paying part-time) job, moving to a region where there is higher demand for your field, gaining skills that are in demand in your area (I’m told plumbers are doing pretty well in most places), starting your own business, or countless other activities. There are no guarantees, but those people who continually make these hard choices tend to find themselves eventually in a comfortable position while those people who refuse to make these choices tend to find themselves in an unsatisfactory position for extended periods of time.
| richardhutnik said:
* Start your own business. Ok, this can work, but you need to be into a market early somewhere, and do something that can get you ahead in a meaningful way. As has been writing, a lot of businesses don't stick it out long term, and good luck getting money to start. There is a lot of get lucky on the breaks here and keep getting them. I know this from personal experience as I keep trying to plug away here. And it is a matter of getting the right idea, being able to sell it, and so on. |
It isn't luck, it is persistence ... Many of the most successful businessmen throughout history became successful after they had a string of massive failures that often resulted in bankruptcy. This is not accidental, and the truth that is as valid in business as it is in life is that success comes from learning not to fear failure and to see each failure as a learning opportunity.
| richardhutnik said:
* Save money, live below your means. Now this is one thing that is justified in trying to ding people for. This is not done. BUT, this is only part of the equation. It isn't the HOW to get ahead, but merely one of the traits one needs to have. |
Saving money is not a means to become wealthy, but building large consumer debts is certainly a way to become poor
| richardhutnik said:
* Invest in Wall Street. One can try to navigate this towards retirement. But beyond that, the amount of money needed to make a difference takes years to acquire and isn't open to an average joe. |
People rarely become wealthy investing their own money ... Often the best approach is to use leverage to increase your buying potential
| richardhutnik said:
* Invest in Real Estate. In this economy, nope. One would need to be gifted as an entrepreneur and use know how to get anything going properly, outworking others. Apparently those who hustle real estate generally don't know how to do this. Maybe being a real estate broker can make a difference, but not the investing, flipping and so on.
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Realestate's only real advantage (as far as an investment goes) is that it is one of the few markets where an average investor can be leveraged 20 to 1 (or more) ... Besides that, I would stay away from realestate primarily because it is a market that is driven by sentiment.
