Am I Doing Ok? What Should I Do Next? (23F)

[struggle151]

@taylormade86

have a 6 digit student loan to pay off due to doing 2 degrees

How does that land you with a six figure student loan?

 

[kwild]

@struggle151 Ineligibility for student allowance and relying on student loan for living costs is the usual answer.

 

[struggle151]

@kwild Must have been very long degrees? Two bachelors perhaps?

 

[derek777laforce]

@struggle151 Most likely they mean 2x four year degrees. One degree can put you out about 36-50k depending on how you did your loan and what degree

 

[taylormade86]

@struggle151 My first degree was 3 years (with summer school) and cost around $8k a year I think. My second degree was 4 years on top of that and cost $17k+ a year.

I also had student loan living costs weekly throughout the duration of my studies so yeah massive student loan to pay off.

 

[struggle151]

@taylormade86

4 years on top of that and cost $17k+ a year.

Which degree was this? Must have been very technical and hands on to have such a high tuition cost annually. (Just curious!)

 

[taylormade86]

@struggle151 Dentistry

 

[struggle151]

@taylormade86 Ohhh! Well! Hoping that was a good choice and works out well for you!

 

[taylormade86]

@struggle151 Hopefully thanks

 

[yurtal]

@kknmksmama I’d advise you to just do what makes you happy, in the end that’s what really matters.

 

[akkol]

@kknmksmama It sounds like you may get a lot out of https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/your-money-your-future-9780143775089 Frances is also on Instagram and hosts https://open.spotify.com/show/4RoBolWwAt893GKs3tZgax?si=APvC5kW7TdSEK_9IriWT2g Enjoy the rest of your trip. The money spent now doing that will be inconsequential in the long run.

 

[resjudicata]

@kknmksmama You have savings. You are ahead of 90% of people. With your ability to save you are going to do alright, I wouldn’t worry just keep up what you are doing.

 

[abelievingman]

@kknmksmama

but I am very disciplined when it comes to saving and managed to save just over $25K when I was last living in New Zealand in 1 year working a minimum wage full time job which I think is a great effort (but I could be wrong)

That is indeed great!

I have no debt, I have thought to possibly study Environmental Science or Outdoor Education in the future, but I first would like to get a good chunk of savings and put a deposit on a house ideally within the next 4-6 years

Why delay by 6+ years from doing studying to advance yourself?

Especially as if you're in NZ, you could get an interest free loan.

I'd suggest that once you're back in NZ doing conservation job somewhere in the South Island, then make a start on your education part time.

Such as:

https://www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz/q...1003-bachelor-of-applied-science-environment/

 

[katstamper]

@kknmksmama Triple your salary then find a partner who earns the same, that way you can afford to live in NZ.

 

[jesusislord1076]

@kknmksmama

What Should I Do Next?

Marry rich, pump out a few kids, enjoy the good life

 

[robbie777]

@kknmksmama You’re doing great OP! I personally think you won’t get a better chance to travel than in your 20s right now. Money will always come back but time won’t

 

[joeswife]

@kknmksmama You are doing well, when I was in my early 20s I had a big set back and used a house deposit to help out family, after finishing my studies now at 31 I’ve bought a house in a lovely suburb and my once 50k a year job is over 100k, my advice is to work hard and upskill wherever you can. And treasure the travel you have done! I only wish I had done what you have when I was your age.