http://www.bnet.com/5799-19691-0.html?type=18 Blog Recent Discussion Activity http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/guess-who-is-the-dumbest-generation/887/#17259_91950 What is it about Baby Boomers that is so hostile and insulting of those who are younger? I'm a member of Generation X, and when we came of age in the 80s and 90s, the Boomers had nothing nice to say about us, either. We're shiftless, we're apathetic, we're amoral, we're non-achievers...or so the Boomers said. Now they seem to have turned on their own progeny. <br><br>Methinks they are jealous that they are not The Young, and someone else is. Jane Fonda's recent interview in which she brags about sex being better at age 70, and her shiny new titanium hip, shows the mindset of the 1960s generation: "Look at me! I'm eternally young and hip! Me! Me! Me!". <br><br>Grow up already. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:29:08 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/guess-who-is-the-dumbest-generation/887/#17259_91950 2009-11-22T04:29:08Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/guess-who-is-the-dumbest-generation/887/#17259_91816 "Kids will steal your own food out of your hands nowadays, and will make fun of you if you don't."<br><br>That's a pretty damned stupid generalization. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:14:15 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/guess-who-is-the-dumbest-generation/887/#17259_91816 2009-11-21T03:14:15Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/six-great-college-websites/563/#18913_91637 Hello,<br><br>Thanks a lot.The articles of your site is really helpful and usable for visitors.<br>This site <a href="http://www.punishmenow.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.punishmenow.co.uk/</a> is more helpful for online shoppings of products.<br><br>Sanjay Gupta<br>Software Test Engineer<br>gupta.sanjay31@gmail.com Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:46:56 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/six-great-college-websites/563/#18913_91637 2009-11-20T05:46:56Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/guess-who-is-the-dumbest-generation/887/#17259_91405 Oh. Meant to put a <br>(As far as I know) at the beginning. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:29:34 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/guess-who-is-the-dumbest-generation/887/#17259_91405 2009-11-19T01:29:34Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/guess-who-is-the-dumbest-generation/887/#17259_91404 All the people saying that it's the older generation's fault, They don't notice something. You guys weren't taught what you know about life. You learned it by living. My generation isn't capable of that. We just go with what we see on TV now. Some parents don't do anything because they had common sense. They Knew when it was the right thing, and when it wasn't. Kids will steal your own food out of your hands nowadays, and will make fun of you if you don't.<br><br>I blame my generation, not the parents. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:28:22 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/guess-who-is-the-dumbest-generation/887/#17259_91404 2009-11-19T01:28:22Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/10-hottest-careers-for-college-graduates/529/#14159_91222 You forgot to include bus drivers because gas as high as it is people will be taking the bus more often and more bus drivers will be needed in the future. You won't believe it, but some bus drivers have Degrees and prefer doing something else because of something that happen and they lost interest in their old job.<br><a href="http://easyfastcashloans.com/payday-cash-loans.html">Payday Cash Loans</a> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:59:05 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/10-hottest-careers-for-college-graduates/529/#14159_91222 2009-11-18T12:59:05Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/researching-colleges-in-10-minutes/420/#17970_90940 Your Researching Colleges In Ten Minutes blog is the best one <br>minute any parent or student will spend. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:06:44 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/researching-colleges-in-10-minutes/420/#17970_90940 2009-11-17T03:06:44Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/lets-kill-the-529-plans-tax-deduction/1020/#18755_90860 Lynn,<br>Interesting post. It's tough to disagree that state coffers need a refill. And you couldn't be more correct that the 529 is a sweet deal.<br>But as the dad of a 3-yr-old and a 6-yr-old, here's my view:<br>Joe Hurley's site estimates that if I want to send my children to the same school I attended, it will cost me $854,281. So I'll take a sweet deal wherever I can find it.<br>And in terms of priorities for taxpayer dollars, I could probably find a few other places to trim first. For example, before cutting off the tax break for my children's education, I'd suggest New York stopping paying bad teachers to sit in the "rubber room" <a href="http://bit.ly/qLaZu" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/qLaZu</a> Encouraging people to save for education is a fairly productive use of resources.<br>The bottom line for our readers? Take advantage of this sweet deal for as long as it lasts! College costs continue to rise much faster than inflation, and you'll need every penny.<br>Jack Otter<br>Executive Editor<br> Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:08:11 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/lets-kill-the-529-plans-tax-deduction/1020/#18755_90860 2009-11-16T16:08:11Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-best-and-worst-college-degrees-by-salary/577/#14845_90759 Not all engineering degrees are so lucrative. Some are impossible to get in or to keep without friends or relatives in the right place. I graduated in Metallurgical Engineering in 1979, was terminated from a job in August after 20 years and now find that I can't even get an interview. Must be age related (53) as no one hires people my age but expects them to go and be "consultants" or "contractors". Looking forward to my first job as a bartender/shuttle bus driver while a bankruptcy court deals with my debts. Thank you very much for my great vaunted university engineering degree! Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:15:01 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-best-and-worst-college-degrees-by-salary/577/#14845_90759 2009-11-15T19:15:01Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90766 I obviously agree with that latest post. I also find it disturbing the way in which news stories are beginning to come out and raise the question of "should everyone be going to college?" You've got to be kidding me! I mean, come on! These are not the sort of questions that we should be asking. It's obvious why we ought to invest in educating most of our society at the college level. So to even have these conversations is beyond idiotic. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:40:45 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90766 2009-11-15T17:40:45Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90681 I agree with everyone who has commented on this tragic subject. <br><br>How many lives have to be destroyed before Congress and the Obama administration focus on this crisis that is only going to grow worse as the cost of a college degree continues to rise while the number good-paying jobs continues to shrink? Unfortunately, the power brokers have shown over the years that they'd rather pay attention to lenders like Sallie Mae and Nelnet than do what's right for impoverished student borrowers. How sick is that?<br> Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:05:03 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90681 2009-11-15T06:05:03Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90665 MedicineSux makes good points about the student lending crisis being the next bubble to pop. The way in which student lending is tied up on securities and stock is also frightening. They are deeply, deeply tied to the financial industry. Some may say, "why is that such a big deal?" It's a big deal because most people don't know that fact, and it also shows why this systemic problem is part of the overall economic crisis. This story -<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nelnet-keeps-taking-taxpayer-money-despite-accusations-on-student-loans-2009-10" target="_blank">http://www.businessinsider.com/nelnet-keeps-taking-taxpayer-money-despite-accusations-on-student-loans-2009-10</a> - is just one of many examples of how twisted these relationships are. As a result of the student lending industry, we've created a new class - the indentured educated class. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:36:43 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90665 2009-11-14T22:36:43Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90661 Thank you so much Ms. O'Shaughnessy for writing an article on such an important topic. As someone who recently completed a medical residency, it saddens me greatly to see that this issue is not being addressed seriously. I strongly feel, no I am certain... that you are witnessing first hand the web being sewn of the coming student loan bubble/crisis. The writing is all over the wall on this one just as it was with the real estate boom. I remember being in utter shock when a friend relayed to me how his 2 bedroom 1300 square foot house in Fort Lauderdale could fetch 750K back in 2005. It made no sense to me how with avg salaries in the mid 40's that such ridiculously overblown prices could ever be supported. Guess what- they couldn't. Last I heard, his house is still up for sale for 325K with still no takers. Likewise, many people were talking about all the mortgages that were going to be resetting and the increase in foreclosures on multiple housing bubble blogs I read way back in March 2007 before things really started to come crashing down. The warning signs were there but few listened.<br>Tis the same with the coming student loan crisis. Naive premeds are still living in LA LA land and will say that paying down such loans will not be a concern as they will be pulling in the benjamins. JUST BECAUSE FINANCIAL AID OFFICERS LET YOU BORROW HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD. They are not going to have to trade in years off their lives to pay it back- you are. As long as they get their money up front they can care less. NO REFUNDS, ALL SALES FINAL....Now with 1 in 4 med school grads owing over 200K- that is some pretty scary statistics! What is it going to cost 10 years from now, twenty years? Don't forget that primary care salaries have been languishing forever in the mid 100's. Furthermore, with the economy slumping and state budgets running up deficits, healthcare budgets are getting slashed like never before. I read another article recently where people enrolling in state Medicaid programs is skyrocketing and reimbursements are getting slashed. How awesome is that? You get to see 10 more patients a day and make 20% less!! It sure is going to be painful paying back that 200-300K on a social worker's salary. Welcome to modern day slavery my friends. And let's not forgot the push for socialized health care which will be the nail in the coffin on this one. With people losing their jobs in droves and a long drawn out recession/depression ahead, this makes for the perfect set up for "free healthcare" for all. And who is going to pay for it you ask? We are of course! The govt knows there are tens of thousands of newly minted MD's owing hundreds of thousands of dollars who have no choice but to work themselves to death for peanuts to pay nondischargable loans. The day our healthcare system goes nationalized is the day I am out of this frying pan for sure. Enough for now... the more I go on, the more I am convinced healthcare is doomed in this country. I hope to be long gone from this field by then before the coming massive implosion as I am feverishly working on my exit plans like Noah did before the coming flood! But like Noah, I expect to be laughed at by the masses but don't tell me I didn't warn you. Just don't come crying to me when the rains come and you are begging to come into my ark!<br><br>Here's my take on whether pursuing a career in medicine is worth 750K nowadays. Yep, 750K!!!!:<br><br><a href="http://medicinesux.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/335/" target="_blank">http://medicinesux.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/335/</a><br><br> Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:16:37 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90661 2009-11-14T21:16:37Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90599 There is also a group on Facebook that can help - it's not our group (we have nearly 238,000 supporters; how's that for a serious problem?!?). Our supporters represent the entire political spectrum (Republican, Democrat, etc.), and I think that also demonstrates why this crisis is serious. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT NOW. Reach out to me, too. I can help you as well, and get you in touch with people who can answer your questions. <br><br>-Cryn Johannsen<br>Promotional Writer and Dir. of Social Media Marketing, Robert Applebaum's Forgive Student Loan Debt Movement. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:38:47 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90599 2009-11-14T19:38:47Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90598 I'm glad you picked up this important piece. I think all major new outlets should be talking about the student lending crisis. I am not sure about your opening line - "Don't default on your loans." Some people simply can't pay their loans, because of this dreadful economy. Sadly, more people will go into default and slip of the "grid," and no one on the Hill or in the White House seems to care. It's shocking. We can bail out Wall St., but we can't help students? And they claim education is critical. Hmph. <br><br>-Cryn Johannsen<br>Promotional Writer and Dir. of Social Media Marketing, Forgive Student Loan Debt Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:35:59 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90598 2009-11-14T19:35:59Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90538 You want a bigger horror of defaulting on a student loan? Be one of the class of victims of student loan farming that took place in the 1980's, which congress knows about. During the late 1980's due to high default rates, both houses of congress started looking into the problem with student loans and found that many defaults were by students who went to proprietary trade schools. They found that many schools were selling worthless educations leaving their victims with bills (loans) they could not pay. And yet the congress to this day has NEVER offered any kind of debt relief for these victims. Their debt has grown so large that many have just given up trying. One person I know borrowed 12k. IF he could pay them off today he would have to come up with 227,000 to cover accrued interest, and penalties. Basicaly he would pay what he has earned his entire life so far. <br>He was waiting for the 5 year wait so he could file bankruptcy but then the law changed to 7 years then it was eliminated, so he was unable to get out from under the crushing debt. Now today at age 55, he figures he will retire with 1/2 (if any) social security. He cannot save a dime, cause if he does, they take it with the new no court order required garnishment law, not that he has anything to save, because he has to switch jobs every 2 years or so to avoid the garnishment law, which in effect, fires him from his job, because he cannot afford to live on 1/3rd of his paycheck.<br><br>Think about this. If you worked 40 hours, but were allowed only to take home 15 hours of it, would you even try to keep a job? That is what the no court order garnishment law does to these people. <br><br>So yes, I do know of a worse horror of defaulting on a student loan. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:52:00 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/the-horrors-of-defaulting-on-a-student-loan/1029/#18688_90538 2009-11-14T00:52:00Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/guess-who-is-the-dumbest-generation/887/#17259_90579 "The world's dumbest generation" has been left with the legacy of a multi-trillion dollar debt to pay off, a tarnished global image, completely frozen credit markets, and a self-imploding environment.<br><br>We silly Facebook-users have so much to learn from you and your peers, Lynn O'Shaughnessy. Like how to hand-churn butter, I suppose... Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:49:49 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/guess-who-is-the-dumbest-generation/887/#17259_90579 2009-11-14T00:49:49Z