Student Loan Debt - Success Has A Price

2010-09-29T21:32:00.000-04:00

Ae you considering attending graduate school? Have you realized the extreme costs of graduate education, especially from a top-notch univeristy? Then, have you considered the extreme interest rates that will be paid on these loans, usually ranging 7-9%?

If you are a young professional in this time with a desire to succeed, then it is hard to avoid getting into extreme ($100k+) levels of student loan debt to do so. However, especially in today's job market, there is no guarantee that your earning potential will increase to a level that would make this investment feasible.

Could anyone please answer the question as to why the costs for graduate-level education is so high and why the interest rates on student loans are so ridiculous? The Federal Government sets these loan rates and refuses to subsidize tuition for middle-class citizens, only to benefit the financial institutions and universities and not to benefit the students who actually have a desire to achieve and add value to society.

Why are there heavy costs for trying to succeed in this country when the Federal Government actually promotes doing less? Think about it -- graduated tax system, social security disability, unemployment benefits...the list goes on and on! It already makes more sense to sit on your @ss and do nothing than it does to break your back.

I think that it is time that the Federal Government considers cancelling student loan debt to stimulate the economy. Let's give back to those that actually add value to this economy, while reducing this overwhelming debt and creating a surge in spending to get this economy back on 2 feet.

Let's face it -- student loan debt now exceeds credit card debt in the United States ($850 billion versus $828 billion). Just imagine what would happen if everyone quit paying their student loans and some (or all) started collecting unemployment and/or social security disability...it would make our recently past finincial crisis look like a small drop in the water compared to the dark and saddening economic times that would follow.

Car Insurance - Younger & Older Drivers

2010-09-14T23:54:00.001-04:00

Why does car insurance cost more for someone under the age of 25, even if the individual has a clear driving record? Insurance companies have been getting away with this for some time now, and society has simply accepted it without serious protest.

Insurance companies will defend this position by stating that young drivers are statistically more prone to car accidents under the age of 25. Although statistics may state this, let's consider why these statistics may be flawed. I am going to be attacking those over the age of 65 with this argument, but I am simply a realist and 'calling a spade a spade.'

First, I would like to also consider those over the age of 65 -- how often have you driven alongside a senior citizen who can barely see over the steering wheel or barely see in general? There are many seniors on the road now at this very moment that are more impaired (due to various types degenerative function that typically occur with age) than a 21 year old with a .08+ alcohol level. However, it is very common for these same seniors to have an insurance premium at more than a 30% discount when compared to that of a young driver -- vehicle and driving records being the same.

Next, how often have you heard stories of those 65 years of age and older simply writing a check at the scene of a car accident (or shortly thereafter) and the accident never being reported to the insurance company? I hear these stories all the time. Young drivers under the age of 25 typically do not have the financial strength to satisfy those involved in the car accident in this method. This presents a serious flaw in these so-called statistics that insurance companies use to surcharge young drivers.

After reading this, I hope you are inspired to challenge your insurance company and express your discontent to your Congressmen with this unconstitutional price-discrimination that is occuring among young individuals.

You have a voice, an opinion, and an opportunity to make a change...all that is needed is action!

Does it make sense?

Student Loan Debt - Success Has A Price

Car Insurance - Younger & Older Drivers