Web Design & Development College VS Wealthy Affiliate?
Wealthy Affiliate!
I have learned so much as it is from W.A as a
Premium Plus Member as it is from learning to
build a website to make some extra $$$ money
a lot of different ways! LOL
Thething that is rolling in the back of my head
is that I am 30 years old with 2 daughters and
wife that I want to provide for. Getting a degree
would be one way, but another would "NOT" to
add a school loan every month not knowing
how much it truly is and with Wealthy Affiliate
it's a once a month payment of $100 Dollars
?? from a good friend on here, "Chuck". That
what ever you make from your online
businesses, you take the $100 from the W. A
charge every month from your profits that way
all other money made is profit. Gotta say
Chuck, you have truly turned my money
spending around for the better! LOL
I can not thank everyone on Wealthy Affiliate
for your friendship and advice. But I have one
more request???? If you were me what would
you do. Get that diploma and still do some side
work on W. A or Not have the extra school
loans that I could be paying off til my
daughters
are grown. LOL!
Please!! Leave a comment or message me with some tips or advice on what decision to make. 9x out of 10 I am going to go to college but I would love to still hear everyone opinion on what they would do or are doing!?!Thanks Everyone! & Enjoy Your Weekend & Stay Safe!!
Justin :-)Recent Comments
14
WOW. That's a hard question to answer and only YOU can make that decision. However, here's my story. When I got divorced (at about your age), all of a sudden I was responsible for 3 kids, had a piddly job and no degree. Child support paid pretty much...well, nothing. VERY scary place to be. I was able to apply for grants (which you might be able to as well) and went back to college. I worked full time, part time to make ends meet then took 2 college courses. I DID get my degrees up to my Masters. Yet all of this not only took a toll on my body but I missed so much time with my kids because I was either working or going to school. That's time I can't get back. School takes a LOT of work.
Grants had to be supplemented with student loans and it seems like it took FOREVER to pay those back. I can tell you the degrees got me into doors that I would not have otherwise gotten in to. I must also admit that many times promotions came as a result of people I KNEW. The majority of what I learned in college was NOT ever applied to my job.
Having said all that, yes I did pretty well in my career but it was a LOT of long hrs working at something only because of the money and not because I loved what I did. I couldn't WAIT to retire.
SO, here's where I sound like a lawyer. It depends. WA has WAY more potential than a job. Do you have the discipline it requires? For it to make you the kind of money you are looking for, it can't be a few minutes here and there. It has to be your JOB and it might take a while for money to start showing up.
On the other hand, a job will give you immediate money. They will be hiring for the holidays. Maybe work part time and do WA part time while you're trying to decide.
Everything good in life takes risk so I found out although I can tell you I did not take the risk of Premium Plus. I wasn't ready. Perhaps you were. You're at a crossroads right now. Personally when I'm there, I get some time alone and pray about it. I don't remember what your beliefs are. Some people simply sit still and meditate. Your gut will provide the answer. What feels peaceful to you will be it.
~Debbi
Debbi!! I am so sorry I didn't see that you commented but your are 100% right the only thing is I can't work in public right now cause of the COVID19 pandemic. I have really bad lungs and use a walker/wheelchair to get around from my car accident. I am going to try & find a part time job from home & do school the other half of the time. I know with my daughters its going to be tough but I want them to have things that I didn't as a kid. My mom has 3 boys & divorced my real father at 8yrs old. My brothers (Brian, Corey, & I) shared a bed until my mom met my dad (Doug). There were time my brothers & I would eat & my mom wouldn't so she could feed us boys. I have been afraid my entire life cause of all that so I started working when I was 12yrs old cleaning horse stalls for $10 dollars a day. It's been since my car accident since I have not had a job & that has been 5yrs. It is killing me not to work so that is why I am looking for work online. Thank You for Debbie for your advice & help sweetheart! I hope you & the family stays safe & I know your were a great mother to your kids & I bet your made them have a great childhood & I know with wanting a career to have for yourself &the; family I get it. But I can tell you now when my mom met my step dad, she became a stay at home mother & it was still kinda rough financially but I wish I had more help money wise as a teenager cause I paid for everything myself when it came to clothes & help the rents with stuff that went out like the hot water heater, but I wish my mom did have a career that way she felt accomplished more then just being a stay at home mom that & maybe I could of focused on school more & not worked so much! Anway I hope you are doing great & I am taking classes online now I am still trying to find work online but that is the only thing
God Bless Hun & I hope you & the family are staying healthy & safe,
Justin
Thanks again for the advice! :-)
Hey Justin, what will going to college give you that you don’t have now is my Question? My husband was in a car crash and he was in a coma. He had 27 fractures of the skull. Broke his neck. He isn’t paralyzed, he was very lucky. He has a degree and I only finished school with all my exams passed. We both now do the same job. Plus I do my blog. I believe everything in life is a choice. If you think it will benefit you then do it.
@LMH1968 No I wasn't meaning it in a bad way I worked very hard for my GED after watching my daughter & working & Yes I will believe it will benefit me I have learn so much on wealthy affiliate & I am just not sure if I want a school loan to pay off because we still pay on my wife's every month as well. I just need to make more money some where cause right now in Disability every month I make $670 a month. My wife make $3,200. I justb want my daughters to be able to have a childhood that I didn't have and so far I am doing good just need to make more LOL isn't that everyone's complaint?
Justin
I didn’t think you meant it in a bad way my friend. I’m just wondering what the education will give you that you cannot get with out it? You don’t need a degree to work online and in time you will make more than your wife from doing this. You asked for an opinion. I’m like you I talk straight from the hip. If I had a choice of education or doing this full time, I would definitely be doing this. If I didn’t have to work I would be doing this full time. My children are grown up, we have one of our daughters and our granddaughter living with us. We are helping to support them financially as well as emotionally. That makes money a bit tight, but what will be, will be. I don’t dwell on what I don’t have or can’t do. I just celebrate what I do have and am grateful for that.
Anyway I’m sure you will make the best decision for you and your family my friend. 😊
Hi Justin! Glad to meet you here at WA. Your question is very valid, it is quite difficult to make a decision when it comes to your future and your finances. You mention 9 times of 10 you’re going to college so it seems perhaps your mind is pretty much made up? I feel the answer is going to be quite dependent on a few things. First of all, are you working to support your family now? Will college or dedicated time to WA take away from that or are you prepared to budget your time for both? (I’m sure you’ve thought this through!) I too found myself with no career or degree with four kids and realizing I needed to make a living for them - isn’t it funny (terrible really) how we get to this place? BUT here we are and guess what my kids are almost grown and we survived! I scrambled at night getting assignments done and finishing college so I would have a degree and now I’m paying these enormous student loans and I am not even using the degree.
I personally don’t believe you need a degree in website design to make excellent money designing websites. Everything you need is on YouTube. I completely taught myself to build websites and I can quickly attract clients to work for anytime I need to. You just have to have the will power and diligence to make it happen. I think college is not the best choice for everyone. I feel you have a good point about getting into debt - plus. Think of the time it will take you to get thru the courses. All the time you could be investing in YOUR business and making money. I may not be the popular poster here but it’s my honest opinion. However I want to be very clear, if you have two daughters and a wife depending on you, you absolutely must be doing something everyday to build your business for the future but you cannot neglect the now. Many years that was my struggle all I wanted to do was research and learn but I never applied anything so we struggled financially and it wasn’t until I started DOING the work that I was able to push past that.
I wish you the best, there are plenty of people here to support you and provide encouragement. Take all the steps Kyle and Carson have explained and don’t look back!
@karimorgan17 No I completely agree with you hun. I am busting butt on Wealthy Affiliate including being a Premium Plus member for $100 a month LOL but no I am on Disability & make $670 a month for the past 5 years... Its better then nothing but my wife is a Special Education Teacher for 5th & 6th grade. I am just sick of being home, I have had a job since I was 12 years old clean out horse stalls but October 26, 2015, I was in a horrible car accident that put me in a wheelchair with 3 breaks in my spine. I have worked hard cause I was suppose to be paralyzed from the waist down but I am only paralyed from the ankles down and I can feel parts of my foot & legs but my doctor told me I would never walk again. I have been using a walker to walk & wheelchair on far walks. Honestly, I didn't do great in school cause my mom was a single mother to 3 boys & when she got married to my step dad I told myself that no matter what I was going to have a job making a pay check cause I didn't want my mom or other 2 brothers to live like how we were living. My real father was a abusive drunk & a Delaware County Cop so ya I learned to only rely on me. So I skip school & go to work. When my first daughter Grace was born I watched her & got my GED & it was hell going thru that LOL just don't want to screw up again & not get a degree only to need one down the road. But I am currently working on a website now as we speak. Before I got in my accident I was a Narcotic Addict & just wasn't the best husband. Well the past 5 years I have been sober & the past 2 years sober from booze. I am a Elder at my church & I am just at a really great place in my life. I am a great father & husband & even speak for other addicts to not make the same mistake I did or well this will happen. @karimorgan17 I just want to make the right decisions & do college while I can & show my daughters that they can do anything they put their minds too. But I have been studying Web Design for the past 4 years & I don't know before my accident I would of told you a degree was pointless but now I think the more degree's the better. I just want to make sure I do find a college where they help me find a job in web design before going to college LOL BUT I truly do appreciate the feed back to be honest I have been with Wealthy
Affiliate for 2 months now & I can honestly say between Kyle, Carson, & this amazing Community at W.A I have learned so much! I just want to keep going that way I get to make a great life for my girls & also make sure that they NEVER had the childhood that I have had. Seriously! Thank you for the feed back cause it does help so much :-)
Thanks Again & If you ever need anything I am always here,
Justin :-)
Omg Justin you have been through so much! You have a lot to be thankful for for sure, I’m sure seeing your daughters beautiful faces everyday reminds you of that. I have confidence you can do whatever you put your mind to do! You will succeed as you have the fortitude and ambition.
Can you get some grants or something for your degree so you’re not going into any debt?
I’m new here to WA also, and only just now putting the steps into place in my own business, I’ve been free lancing and working other people’s businesses for too long!
What kind of website are you building?
I wish you the very best and I hope I didn’t come across bossy. I truly care and sometimes just shoot straight from the hip especially when it comes to college because of my loans that are eating me alive but you do have a good point about them helping you get a job BUT then you’re working for someone else on their terms why not do your own thing and make more money?
Building niche sites and renting or selling them seems to be quite lucrative and if you follow the steps here you can’t go wrong!
Have a wonderful thanksgiving!
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Hello Justin! Yes, right! I am with you on this one. Actually, I have a rare story. I did not graduate or have a degree, but I am the Head of Marketing for the Japan regional business unit for the largest Industrial PC company in the world and have been making 6 figures for more than 25 years. That said, I have been taking night classes online for 20 years, and have 60% of my credits to graduate with a 4-year degree in Business Management. Now that I am in my fifties, I am dead serious about building an online business so that I can continue working and making a living as most companies are letting go of people around 60 years of age. Not having a degree was not an excuse for not making a great living. When I interview for jobs, and they ask me about my education, I just let them know how many credits I have, when I plan to graduate, and that I did not complete the degree due to financial hardship. Never lost an opportunity over my lack of a degree, because my enthusiasm, confidence, experience, and winning attitude carried me through.
I am not going to say, get a degree, or do not get a degree. That is your decision. I hope this post helps! Rupert.
Hello Justin, one more thing, I do recommend working full time while building your online business. I spend a lot of money on building my online business and I thank my job income for being able to make that investment in my future. Also, when you know you are building your online business, then whatever happens at work stays at work, and you have a fresh perspective at home with your online business. In my case, the things I learned at home with WA, improved my job performance at work! Rupert.
Hey Rupert! That is amazing! I hope & pray you have a amazing online business! Thank you for your advice it truly helped a lot! I want to work but I can only work part time & due to my car accident in 2015 & COVID 19 I have to work from home so if you gotta any suggestions there that would be amazing lol But I am in a wheelchair/walker. Doctor's said I was suppose to be paralyzed from the waste down & never walk again :-) I proved them so wrong Lol I thank God everyday for giving me a second chance to be with my family & to be a great father/husband. If I catch COVID 19 I am dead! My lungs were almost the reason I didn't wake up from my 7 week coma. But thank you so much for your advice & kindness on this I truly appreciate it friend! I am going to go to a online college get a degree & hope to find a job online.
Rupert when it come to work you sound like me I can talk & get along with anyone lol I have had a job since I was 12yrs old so trust me I would give anything to go back to work full time this time I just want to use my head & NOT my back with my career.
Good Luck in College & It should be your choice wealthier you want to retire or not I hate that.
God Bless Bud!
Justin