Articles :: Preparing for School :: If You Had Your College Tuition to Spend, Oh -- What You Could Buy!
If You Had Your College Tuition to Spend, Oh -- What You Could Buy!
by Barbara Bellesi
What would you do with $23,000? If you're heading off to college, the answer to that question is probably, "Pay tuition." According to a recent report on student debt by ProjectsOnStudentDebt.org, the average amount of debt a college graduate will have is $23,000. (Read more about the survey now.)
Even if you are graduating with a degree in accounting, $23,000 might be a bit hard to wrap your brain around. When dealing with big bucks, sometimes it's helpful to break it down into smaller amounts, or at least find a concrete equivalent. Just for fun, let's consider the following situations in which that $23,000 in college debt might also have been spent:
23,232 songs downloaded from iTunes:
At 99 cents a pop, a song on iTunes is a bargain. But had you not accrued all that college debt, you could have bought enough songs to ensure that you rock on...and on.
5,750 grande lattes at Starbucks:
Yes, it's true that financial gurus have determined that one could become a millionaire by ditching designer coffee. But it's still fun to think that $23,000 could buy you 5,750 trips to Starbucks-keeping you caffeinated for nearly 16 years straight.
A cool ride:
When one talks thousands of dollars, one of the most obvious purchases that comes to mind is a car. And here's a great one in the $23,000 price range-the Honda Civic coupe. Pretty slick.
Real estate, baby:
Twenty percent down payment could land you a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in sunny Florida. This one in downtown Fort Lauderdale features a beautiful pool and a neighborhood filled with million-dollar homes.
Some bling:
When you enter that slice of retail nirvana known as Tiffany's, it's easy to drop thousands of dollars on something that sparkles. And when you consider that a platinum-and-diamond necklace by Elsa Peretti can be yours for just $23,000-well, is there anything left to consider?
Fly sky-high in first class:
If you have an extra $23,000 to spend, then say goodbye to coach for a while. For 23 thou, you can travel roundtrip-first class, baby -- from NY to LA eight times.
Courtside with celebs:
Courtside seats are expensive, especially if you are a Lakers fan and have to compete with veteran season ticket holders like Jack Nicholson. But with 23K in your pocket, you'll be able to sit courtside at the Staples Center for nine home games-or a game with eight friends, if you are feeling generous. Just make sure they spring for the foam fingers.
College debt is no laughing matter, especially when those first bills start rolling in, but it isn't the worst thing in the world, either. After all, college is an investment that will pay off handsomely for a long time with the opportunities that your undergraduate degree will present to you.
Even if you are graduating with a degree in accounting, $23,000 might be a bit hard to wrap your brain around. When dealing with big bucks, sometimes it's helpful to break it down into smaller amounts, or at least find a concrete equivalent. Just for fun, let's consider the following situations in which that $23,000 in college debt might also have been spent:
23,232 songs downloaded from iTunes:
At 99 cents a pop, a song on iTunes is a bargain. But had you not accrued all that college debt, you could have bought enough songs to ensure that you rock on...and on.
5,750 grande lattes at Starbucks:
Yes, it's true that financial gurus have determined that one could become a millionaire by ditching designer coffee. But it's still fun to think that $23,000 could buy you 5,750 trips to Starbucks-keeping you caffeinated for nearly 16 years straight.
A cool ride:
When one talks thousands of dollars, one of the most obvious purchases that comes to mind is a car. And here's a great one in the $23,000 price range-the Honda Civic coupe. Pretty slick.
Real estate, baby:
Twenty percent down payment could land you a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in sunny Florida. This one in downtown Fort Lauderdale features a beautiful pool and a neighborhood filled with million-dollar homes.
Some bling:
When you enter that slice of retail nirvana known as Tiffany's, it's easy to drop thousands of dollars on something that sparkles. And when you consider that a platinum-and-diamond necklace by Elsa Peretti can be yours for just $23,000-well, is there anything left to consider?
Fly sky-high in first class:
If you have an extra $23,000 to spend, then say goodbye to coach for a while. For 23 thou, you can travel roundtrip-first class, baby -- from NY to LA eight times.
Courtside with celebs:
Courtside seats are expensive, especially if you are a Lakers fan and have to compete with veteran season ticket holders like Jack Nicholson. But with 23K in your pocket, you'll be able to sit courtside at the Staples Center for nine home games-or a game with eight friends, if you are feeling generous. Just make sure they spring for the foam fingers.
College debt is no laughing matter, especially when those first bills start rolling in, but it isn't the worst thing in the world, either. After all, college is an investment that will pay off handsomely for a long time with the opportunities that your undergraduate degree will present to you.
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