Thread: What is the one luxury item you want the most, but need the least?

Originally Posted by Bruno

Do you regard college education as a luxury item?
Just asking because I never thought of it like that. Don't know what it costs at your place.

Well, I mean that mostly in the sense that "if" they had a really large coffer of a college fund (which is something I cannot afford) and all they had to do was "go" to college without me worrying about the books and tuition, room & board, etc. Then that would be worth everything else. It doesn't matter how much I save up, I fear by the time they go to college it will be ridiculously expensive.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Do you regard college education as a luxury item?
Just asking because I never thought of it like that. Don't know what it costs at your place.

The following is from CollegeBoard.com and represents the average yearly costs:

"According to the College Board's Trends in College Pricing, the 2006-2007 average total costs (including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and other expenses as specified in Table 2) were $12,294 for students attending two-year public colleges, $16,357 for students attending four-year public colleges and universities, and $33,301 for students at four-year private colleges and universities. Out of state students attending public colleges and universities pay an average total cost of $26,304."

Wow that's insane.
There are no private colleges or universities here, though there is a difference in prestige between different schools, everyon can register anywhere. It is mostly a decision of practicality and preference of the student.

And it definitely does not cost that much.

When I did my masters, registration was 350 euros for a year.
Of course, with books and materials that went up to 700 - 1000 euros per year.
Add an additional 400 euros per year for my train pass and that is pretty much it,e xcept for things like eating etc.

That makes me think of the stat recently turned out in the British media: the average cost of raising a child (to adulthood) is estimated at £150,000 ($300k)!

So maybe children should be seen as unnecessary luxuries?

I'd love a fully tricked out .50 BMG rifle, with one of the new M110 SASS systems to keep it company.




Wayne

Lloyd Loar signed Gibson Mandolin. This was the mandolin Bill Monroe played. I had the opportunity to play Bill's mandolins sister. it was sublime... but then agian who needs a 300K piece of wood....

Originally Posted by Bruno

Wow that's insane.
There are no private colleges or universities here, though there is a difference in prestige between different schools, everyon can register anywhere. It is mostly a decision of practicality and preference of the student.

And it definitely does not cost that much.

When I did my masters, registration was 350 euros for a year.
Of course, with books and materials that went up to 700 - 1000 euros per year.
Add an additional 400 euros per year for my train pass and that is pretty much it,e xcept for things like eating etc.

It cost me more than that to go to community college for a year for a specific certification class not even a full load. That was twelve years ago and was considered a steal as far as education per dollar.

Speaking about luxury items:
A week at home with my wife but without the kids. In the summer, so I could wake up, have breakfast, sit outside in the shade with a book, and not having to stop reading except for things like eating, drinking, ...

Yes I know I'd miss the hellraisers after a day, but with 2 small kids in the house I sometimes yearn for the days when it was just me and my wife, and no mortgage to pay off.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Speaking about luxury items:
A week at home with my wife but without the kids. In the summer, so I could wake up, have breakfast, sit outside in the shade with a book, and not having to stop reading except for things like eating, drinking, ...

Yes I know I'd miss the hellraisers after a day, but with 2 small kids in the house I sometimes yearn for the days when it was just me and my wife, and no mortgage to pay off.

I'm with you on that, Bruno! In fact, that's exactly what I'm doing next weekend (except the summer thing). Friends are coming to look after the kids at home while Katie and I take the first weekend we've had away together for, ooh, 5 years.

It's been so long I'm almost nervous.

Originally Posted by majurey

It's been so long I'm almost nervous.

That's hilarious!

My classes here at Oklahoma State cost me $3,000 a semester just for tuition and fees. Tack on another $60 for parking, $300-700 for books. Luckily I don't have to pay for dorms, which could be another $400-600 a month!

OSU is considered one of the cheapest in the Big 12 too