Georgie: I could go on and on. So I will try not too. As a kid I did not have much more than the necessities. My friends had stuff handed to them. I put myself through school, sat in classes thinking, "This is what I am paying for?" while my roommates partied constantly. Still, I toughed it out. Without my degree I would not have got an interview. Without the interview - no job. No job = no house, bikes etc. It is true that as you get older you will have more financial commitments. Try adding a couple of kids.
After working for little money for a long time in the teaching profession I am FINALLY making a decent living. But wait! With Issue 2 on the ballot, I can lose it all and go back to square one b/c I have experience - which costs more. So, I keep thinking about how hard I worked to get to this point and I get really salty about the convictions of some of our elected officials.
Next, many kids have NO IDEA how good they have it -mine included. While I have a 2nd job to use for moto-money my kids STILL drop their helmets on the ground and can't understand why I get mad at them for it.
The bottom line is that you WILL be better off - even with the financial aid debt. Use your head when it comes to spending. Start saving for retirement - now. Marry a girl who DOES NOT have a fetish for wasteful spending. Raise your kids to appreciate what you give them and push them to achieve. There are MANY PEOPLE in this country who feel that they are entitled to handouts and they are fine with it. Try not to let that get to you (I still let it get too me).
Having stuff is great, but having the power to get it again and again is even better. Some kid said to me once, "Your F150 is junk. You should have got the F350." I told him that I could have, but did not want to (considering he did not have a truck at all) - funny how those with nothing can be the most critical. Some of the richest people LOOK like they are just getting bye. If you saw my 1977 Dodge RV you would think that of me. However, the truth is totally the opposite.
Many people LOOK like they have a ton of stuff, but are up to their ears in debt. Cash is king. You will be okay. Keep your head up. Work for a while. Get established. Then, you will reap the benefits of your efforts for a long time. I know 2 guys with trucks that are better than mine. One lives with his parents and the other is wondering how he is going to keep his truck b/c he has lived off of unemployment for 2 years and made no effort to better himself via job or education during that time.
Congrats on going into a very noble profession. All of my siblings are nurses / PA's. and one more thing: Please VOTE NO on ISSUE 2!!!!! Thanks! God Bless - Rich