The Bitch Box

Paedantic Basterd · 10-19-2013, 03:12 PM

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.

Paul Smeenus · 10-19-2013, 03:19 PM

Do it. Your youth ain't coming back. Trust me on this one.

Paedantic Basterd · 10-19-2013, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Smeenus

Do it. Your youth ain't coming back. Trust me on this one.

I am seriously leaning this way. I know where money comes from, even if it takes some time to get it. Opportunities you never know about, and you only get so many. What's the point of living if you don't try and maximize its benefits?

Paul Smeenus · 10-19-2013, 03:39 PM

Look at it this way. If you don't do it you'll have your ENTIRE life left to look back on that decision and regret it.

Sequoioideae · 10-19-2013, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

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.

Go for it, if you have the opportunity to do something you really want to do then do it, even if it means selling off your possessions.

djchameleon · 10-19-2013, 04:13 PM

yep I was right in the shoutbox when I figured you were over thinking it without even seeing what the problem was.

Trust your instincts and go for it. Experiences are what life is all about.

Trollheart · 10-19-2013, 07:30 PM

I think your mind is already more or less made up, Ped, and I think you know this, and are just looking for confirmation that your decision is the right one. I guess in the end you know what you want, you know what it will cost and what you may have to sacrifice to get it. You have never struck me as stupid, overly impulsive or unwilling to face consequences, so I think --- and from your post you point towards it --- that you've already decided that if it goes wrong you can work to make it up. Of course, without knowing what "it" is advice becomes a little harder to give definitively, but that's your own personal choice to keep to yourself if you want to.

As Paul says, you're only young once and you don't want to not do this and then regret it later. If you've looked at all the possibilities, pitfalls and advantages and weighed one against the other, you already know what you're going to do.

I'm sure you trust yourself to make the right decision. I think I would, knowing you.

Best of luck!
TH

Paedantic Basterd · 10-19-2013, 08:32 PM

Thanks folks. I know what I want, I just don't know if my excitement is glaringly overshadowing the reality. Now I need to concentrate on how to accomplish this for the lowest possible price...

~~butthead aka 216~~ · 10-19-2013, 08:59 PM

trollheart is right you got your decision made,. ya dont need our approval to justify it. just do it as nike would say

~~Sansa Stark~~ · 10-20-2013, 12:00 AM

I think I've broken one heart already this week, I'm about to break another in the next fortnight, but I'm making the selfish choice for once. Only time will tell if I've made the right choice, but I can't keep giving love and devotion to fools.

View Poll Results: Hey. Did you just grab my ass?
Yes...	30	34.48%
From where I'm standing that is a physical impossibility	26	29.89%
Sh...Should I?	31	35.63%
Voters: 87. You may not vote on this poll

10-19-2013, 07:30 PM	#13037 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	I think your mind is already more or less made up, Ped, and I think you know this, and are just looking for confirmation that your decision is the right one. I guess in the end you know what you want, you know what it will cost and what you may have to sacrifice to get it. You have never struck me as stupid, overly impulsive or unwilling to face consequences, so I think --- and from your post you point towards it --- that you've already decided that if it goes wrong you can work to make it up. Of course, without knowing what "it" is advice becomes a little harder to give definitively, but that's your own personal choice to keep to yourself if you want to. As Paul says, you're only young once and you don't want to not do this and then regret it later. If you've looked at all the possibilities, pitfalls and advantages and weighed one against the other, you already know what you're going to do. I'm sure you trust yourself to make the right decision. I think I would, knowing you. Best of luck! TH __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-19-2013, 03:12 PM	#13031 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	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.

10-19-2013, 08:32 PM	#13038 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	Thanks folks. I know what I want, I just don't know if my excitement is glaringly overshadowing the reality. Now I need to concentrate on how to accomplish this for the lowest possible price...

10-19-2013, 08:59 PM	#13039 (permalink)
~~butthead aka 216~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: freely swimmin thru the waters of glory much like a majestic bald eagle soars thru the skies Posts: 1,463	trollheart is right you got your decision made,. ya dont need our approval to justify it. just do it as nike would say

10-20-2013, 12:00 AM	#13040 (permalink)
~~Sansa Stark~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Eyrie, Vale of Arryn, Westeros Posts: 3,234	I think I've broken one heart already this week, I'm about to break another in the next fortnight, but I'm making the selfish choice for once. Only time will tell if I've made the right choice, but I can't keep giving love and devotion to fools.