Well for starters, I'm 18 years old gettin ready to go to college. The way my school schedule(high school) is now, I am able to work a lot more than I will be able to once this fall comes. Now, I love my truck to death, but heres where the problem comes in. My truck still has a note, 300 bucks. My dad's friend offered me his 1992 silverado with less miles than my '99 for 2k bucks. This would mean no note, and 300bucks extra in my pocket every month. I know it's a chevy, but with college comming up soon, I have to concentrate more on school. I haven't told him anything yet, lookin for some advice.

 

I have two stories for you. I worked through college, about 20 hrs a week, at a good paying job (13.50 per hr). I have two degrees, one in biology and one in chemistry. I graduated with a 3.0. My friend had his parents to pay for college and all of his expenses. He also has two degrees, one in finance and one in psychology. He graduated with a 3.9. If you choose to live off campus which is what I did throughout college, I still had enough to pay 300 a month for a truck plus 300 for rent and let say 500 for other bills, food, etc. The best advice I can give you is if you are planning on working, keep it to 20hrs per week or less. Toward the middle of your college career, decide what you plan on doing with you degree, are you going to get a job after college or continue on to professional school (grad, med, law, etc). At that point you need to decide whether your gpa is suffering because of your job. I would be more that happy to help with anything else regarding college and decisions. But the most important thing to remember is your paying to be in college, your education should come first.


addition: There are plenty of ways to earn extra money in college other that a job. Up here they pay for people to test drugs, they compare generic to namebrand, good money 800 for 2 weekends. Donate blood, 20 for the first time 30 for the second, every week, theres an additional 200 per month. there are plenty of these out there you just need to look in you area.

 

You make a good point.


My parents help me quite a bit with the note, but when school starts in the fall I will be needing a lot more money from them. I have never been one of those people who just mooches off their parents, and I dont want to start that habit in college. But GAWD I love my TRUCK.

 

I bought my truck when I was a freshmen in college. Work hard each summer to earn extra cash to last you through two semesters.

 

You got paid $13.50/hr while in college? What kind of job was that?

I started at $7.00/hr at my job and that was pretty good compared to most of the other jobs around. This would be my 3rd season and they just bumped starting pay up to $7.50, so I would be making $8.00/hr IF my schedule wasnt the way it is right now...

I worked nearly 30-40 hours a week even when school was going, and at my pay that would have never been enough to pay for my truck payment ($200/mo), rent($330/mo), utilities ($150-$200/mo in the summer), insurance ($150/mo), gas, plus tuition ($3000+/semester), books ($400+/semester), food (as of now I spend about $30/a week at the grocery store), much less any spare money to have a good time every now and then...

I guess it depends on your tuition, and all that good stuff. Or maybe Im just not good at the money thing

You dont get paid for donating blood. You can donate PLASMA, which Ive heard is a lengthy and not horribly comfortable process. But thats just what I have heard...

 

I drove truck. I started at 3am and worked until about 7am, went home showered then went to school. And maybe its plasma, not blood, I dont know I never had to do it.

 

Its plasma. I've donated blood several times, you dont get paid for it

 

How much do you owe on your current truck? $300/mo is cash flow, but you didn't say how you'd pay for the other trcuk? Paying cash? Fine, but compare apples to apples and find out the payoff in current truck.

Establish a budget, or estimated budget/cash flow for the fall. You are using unquantifiable terms to describe your situation and no one will be able to tell you what you can afford if you don't know what all your expenses and income will really be.

 

It all depends. I still live at home, but Graduate in may. Work full time, and go to school full time, AND graduating with honors, AND get to keep my truck. I really wanted it .. so I guess it depends how bad you want it!!

 

My $0.02.....

.....I would sell the truck....get a motorcycle......work through college (it gives you character which could never be learned otherwise).....and save your money....no real reason to have a "nice vehicle" while in school.....you are there to prepare for your future....not look good.....

 

great advice. Besides it gives you someting to strive for.

 

I agree.. great advice. The kids that got everything paid for , for them in college, never learned what real life is. That's why you need to work through school!

 

Hell yea; but what does working hard have to do with paying an extra $300 for a truck.

I paid that kind of payment for my truck while I went to college. I worked 20-40 hours (1-3 jobs) while in college and worked 60 hours a week during the summer to pay tuition. I did it all and still pulled a 3.8 or something

Computer Maintenance of campus computers
Target
Resident Advisor (Free room and board)
Internships

 

Never fall in love with something that can't love you back.....

Drive a beater like every other college student that's worth his salt. Let's face it -- in most cases, if you have a nice car in college, you really don't have a nice car -- your parents do!

Get your a$$ to school, work hard, get good grades, and then you can go get yourself a nice truck WITHOUT the note!

 

I say sell it. Material things are always replaceable, trucks included. You're too young to be a slave to a payment. Go to college and enjoy it for everything its worth. You'll never regret that