College is Not for Everybody
Jim Daly
Focus on the Family
A weekly advice column written by Jim Daly, Focus on the Family draws upon a deep, abiding Christian faith to help heal broken marriages and troubled families, built on a foundation of “the power of hope and second chances.” Focus on the Family’s sound, Christian guidance gives readers helpful answers on how to navigate a steady path in an uncertain world.
Q: Our son will be graduating from high school this spring. His friends will all be heading off to college, and it seems he should, as well. But formal education has never been his strong point; he’s very gifted mechanically and loves working on our cars and projects around the house. We want to offer him the best prospect of a bright future. Do you have any suggestions?
Jim: While a university education has long been held up as the standard, the truth is that college isn’t for everybody. In fact, 46% of young people who start college never finish. Sometimes it’s a financial issue. Sometimes it’s because they simply aren’t ready for college-level work. Even those who complete a degree often change majors along the way.
Whatever the reason, deciding against college doesn’t have to mean sacrificing a strong future. Many solid and well-paying career paths don’t require a university degree. Numerous skilled trades — for which your son seems to have an aptitude — provide apprenticeships and on-the-job training. Military service is also a viable option for technical training, personal discipline and valuable experience; it’s a multiyear obligation, obviously, but it might also pay for college down the road.
If your son does decide that higher education is the right path, it’s worth taking the time to find a school that best fits his goals and interests. Make sure to diligently compare tuition costs; just because a particular college costs twice as much doesn’t mean it offers an education that’s twice as valuable.
Whatever path your son chooses, help him grasp this important point: What employers look for most are candidates who are reliable, disciplined and of good character. Developing those qualities will help your child create a solid future whether he goes to college or not.
Q: It seems like my wife and I are always arguing about money. We both hate the conflict, but we feel stuck in this pattern — especially since there never seems to be enough cash in the bank. Do you have any suggestions?
Dr. Greg Smalley, Vice President, Marriage & Family Formation: Conflict over finances is a common — and potentially devastating — problem in marriage. Research shows that couples who argue about money are twice as likely to divorce as those who don’t. So, it’s absolutely critical that you both emphasize the health of your relationship over the details of accounting. With the mutual commitment that you’re on the same team, it’s much easier to implement practical solutions.
Step one is deciding to live within your means. You’ll likely have to take a close and honest look at the cost of your current lifestyle. Most couples struggling with debt have no clear idea how much they actually spend each month on groceries, entertainment and car payments. Without a willingness to live on what you earn, it’s not a matter of if your finances will crash — it’s when.
Step two — equally important — is to establish a budget. There are many resources available to help guide you through budgeting basics. For now, recognize that a proactive plan is a crucial tool to help you live within your means and to make saving for a rainy day possible.
The key is that budgets force you to prioritize your spending habits. It’ll likely mean less of “this” and no more of “that.” Admittedly, those are tough decisions (and key reasons many folks avoid budgets altogether). But remember the goal: getting your money under control together, so you can reduce the conflict threatening your relationship.
If you feel like you need more guidance in this matter, Focus on the Family counselors would love to be of assistance; call 855-771-HELP (4357).
Jim Daly is a husband and father, an author and president of Focus on the Family. He is also the host of the Focus on the Family radio program. Catch up with him at jimdalyblog.focusonthefamily.com or at Facebook.com/JimDalyFocus.
Distributed by Andrews McMeel Syndication. Copyright © 2024. Used with permission.