I could use a bit of input into making a minor life decision. Basically, I have an opportunity to do something very fun and rewarding next year, but it will cost me about 1K to do it, and I'm not in the greatest position in terms of my savings--I'm not going to be homeless, but money is tight and it could interfere with my affording of tuition down the road a little ways.
On the one hand, I have a limited budget that is going to run out next year period, give or take three months of expenses I would be putting into this opportunity. At the moment, I have just enough funds to get me debt-free to the end of my second college year, and then I start at square one. I can't at this point know anything about future scholarships, tuition/book costs, or the rate I'll be able to work next summer. I know I'll be able to enter my third year by September, I just don't know how much I will have to scrounge for it, and the worst life scenario for me consists of taking a year off to work and earn another lump of tuition money. Not ideal, but also not a tragedy.
Now those are all very good reasons not to do it, and play it safe, however at the same time, my beliefs are along the lines of:
- People who spend money on experiences tend to be psychologically happier people than those who spend their money on material items.
- It's an opportunity I may never see again, and could dwell on missing.
- The actual event is something I know I would not regret, and I know would make me feel very fulfilled for years.
- I believe that this sort of thing is what money is really for, and I want to take every opportunity in my life to have new, novel experiences.
- I have never regretted making impulsive experiential decisions before in my life, and in fact those that I have made have been the most rewarding and life-changing things I have done for myself.
Those points made, what do you guys think? Do you side with my responsibility, or my spontaneity? Halp.
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