Luck as a factor in saving/paying for college

[cbreeze]

<p>There is a Chinese belief that besides luck, fate also plays a huge part. One can create some luck by working hard, using intelligence,seizing opportunities etc, but fate is predetermined and can’t be changed.</p>

[Pizzagirl]

<p>

We have always lived well below our means and stayed married to original spouses. These are really great money-saving tips, as divorce is one of the hugest money drains for everyone involved. Living below one’s means (whatever the means are), is well described in “The Cheapskate Next Door,” which really resonates with us.

</p>

<p>I make $x and H makes appreciably more than I do, and we have always had as our guiding principle that we essentially live off my salary, dipping into his only for things like a new car, a new roof, or medical expenses, as well as for college.</p>

[ellemenope]

<p>Well done, Pizzagirl–most people would have chosen to live off his income and saved yours!</p>

[Pizzagirl]

<p>Yes, I’m quite aware when I pass more expensive houses than mine, LOL. (Our house is nice, but no mansion, and we’ve paid it off so we have absolutely no debt.) I comfort myself with the thought that my bank account is (hopefully) in better shape!</p>

[HImom]

<p>We would have had to live off the land if we lived off my income, since much of the time, I have not earned any. When I do work, it has helped us with our kids’ college expenses and sock away more for retirement.</p>

[megdog]

<p>On an unrelated matter, hope you’re doing OK in Hawaii today, HImom. What a tragedy in Japan. Talk about bad luck and misfortune.</p>

[DougBetsy]

<p>When I look back on the events that determined our financial path, all I see is luck and fate. </p>

<p>My first job out of college was excellent. It led to a great income, wonderful potential for savings, and flexibility during young motherhood.<br>
I got it because I was a great intern.
I got the internship because the boss and I bonded over a “Little House on the Prairie” conversation during my interview.
I heard about the internship during a summer college course.
I was in the summer course because I flunked it in the spring.<br>
I flunked the spring course because I had fallen in love and lost interest in school.<br>
We’re still married.</p>

<p>It’s like, “This is the house that Jack built…”</p>

[kxc1961]

<p>@ DougBetsy,</p>

<p>Sounds like a story in one of those great Disney movies…I am sure it will bring in some serious dough, when it makes into the threater in the summer. :)</p>