Will college change your life?

Did you go to College and do you feel obtaining a degree has been for the better? If entry into higher paying jobs is your desire, think very carefully about your career choice, the kind of lifestyle you want and what you know.

Social Media influencer, Sinew J conducts scores of improptu interviews and on an average, medical professionals like doctors, or individuals who work in the private banking sector for trust companies are in the 500,000 plus category per annum. Real Estate agents seem to be in that six figure grouping as well, although a degree is not required. Er! Só where does that leave the rest of us who are not doctors, private bankers or real estate agents? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smc0FYr5edg

Rarely- if ever -over the two years of watching the above mentioned show, have I heard of policemen, educators, hairstylists, firemen, boat captains, security officers, mechanics, construction workers, making millions let alone half a million per annum from just their slary alone. However, the exception seem to be those who are in the security tech or the app development space. Very little reports exist that they have done alot of College classes. A 1- 12 week certification seems to be the extent of their education and then they are on their way to a six figure income. Só if you completed an education degree like me for the love of children and did not give an iota of a thought about the quality of your future then you are in big trouble. Só lets explore your options:

If you were not born a trust fund baby, a college degree means very little. If you were born and raised in Nasssu Bahamas for example, a $90,00 dollar loan for a piece of property that just 100X60 might be your first stop. Your thinking is, I didn't go to college to live in a government built sudivision or worst in the over-the-hill areas like Nassau Village, kemp road or Pinewood. Your initial thoughts are, a degree should raise my standard of living. Boy was I wrong! Now, you have monthly payments of 600.00 or more. In addition to the monthly bank payments for the property, there are other utility cost as well. Your combined expenses at this point is $1,500 monthly and you have not even done your hair or nails or gased your car. More importantly, you have little to no disposal income to begin building on that property you purchased.

Why not try renting an apartment on the western or eastern side of the island. More than 60%-

70% of your salary will be consumed by rent because you will find rental property in these areas range from 1400 to 3,000 a month. Once again, this price point far exceeds the average college graduate's starting salary.https://www.houzz.com/

Let's say you decide to buy a low cost home at 105,000 instead. Here are the drawbacks. It will not be a design you will be in love with and within 5-7 years of living in that home, the subdivision will begin to look run down; due in part to the fact that the developer is primarily searching for who can afford the house and hardly ever for those who will maintain the standard of the subdivision. Só perhaps, you may see it as an initial investment rather than your final dwelling place. Is that what you want?

Venetian West was a condo style development project done by Brickell Management in The Bahamas. This was an example of the kind of starter home, a young educated professional would consider to have all of the important elements. The qualities young professionals want in a home are: 1. Location, 2. security, 3 amenities, 4. community and 5. aesthetics. Unfortunately, local home development agencies rarely think or produce this kind of development. And if it is built, it is placed at a 200,000- 300,000 price point which is generally out of reach for a typical college graduate.

Let's not fool ourselves! Buying a home or a condo even at 100,000 means living quite frugally for the next ten years post college. So rather than struggle alone, financially, many opt to take on a partner or live at home with their parents. Even if its a partner they are not compatíble with, they take them on. Many feel they must marry because the cost of living even with a degree is difficult

to manage. Whether its financial pressure or a societal one (I think its the former) most people after college may naturally feel the need to enjoy life a little before they take on another major committment. However, the realities of life after college make this a challenge. Do I live with my parents or move to the island? Do I rent or buy a house?

Purchasing a piece of property in Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma or Freeport might be your best bet because its extremely affordable. For example, with $15,000 or less you can own a piece of beautiful Bahamas. However, while land is affordable, the job offerings are very limited or non- existent. So people take on side hustles like fishing increase their earning capacity.

The aforementioned reality contribute to people crowding the city in search of job opportunities eventhough the cost of living is quite unreasonable in New Providence. Islands like Freeport do offer educated locals more bang for their buck but thriving there is financially tough. Wow! What a decision to make!

Só what do you? What do you think is the best option? Do I go to college or just join the workforce right after high school? In other words, do I start at the bottom and work my way up or do I begin working at a $30,000 -40,000 dollar price point? After college, my staring salary was $25,000 dollar per annum. Seven years later, I bought a fixer upper for 140,000. It was a dúplex. It needed renovations but one of the units were liveable. Só I shared one of the units with my mother and spent the next few years renovating the building out of pocket. I took the long route and it was painful. Thankfully, I had the staminia to do most of the renovations with the help of an uncle who worked in the construction field for many years.

I have since completed the renovation of three units. I have even written a new book about the journey. The book is entitled, "Diary of a female contractor". The cost is 14.99. It is an easy, enjoyable, quality read. It is my hope that the experiences shared in the book will help namely women and college graduates to get financially on their feet in the shortest time possible. I sincerly want you to live the life you were meant to live. Sadly, honest hardworking people like me and you find doing just this difficult task.

Because I had no one to guide me after college, I have made so many blunders. With the purchase of our Ebook, you will not make the mistakes that I made. You will confidently be able to approach the renovation of your home while saving a buck or two. Thanks for purchasing a copy. The proceeds supports our worldwide educational campaign of making our platform available to teens free of charge.