POST SCRIPTS

What about a BSN Jack? Any thoughts on Nursing as a carrier choice as far as cost benefit analysis?

I know you were listing BA degree choices and not BS, but even still, any thoughts on that?

If so what about the cost difference between associates RN program VS. BSN Program?

I would love to hear your take on it...

In California and despite the gloomy economy employment for docs and nurses remains excellent. No matter what happens to the world, people still get sick and there is a very high demand for nurses.

A starting salary for a registered nurse is very good when compared to the cost of a 4 year degree in nursing. Expect to make $56k with benefits on average and more in metropolitan areas. 3 years experience and with OT you can easily make over $100k in a year.

An LVN ticket can be obtained in less than 24 months at most JC's. They earn a livable wage. Some wives go this route while the husband is in college and the family lives quite well. Plus it's a good fallback occupation that never goes out of demand.

"Career Insider" is a good place to do some research!

Thank you for your analysis Jack, even though it is on a slight side topic. Just wondering what you thought considering the nationwide Nursing shortages which have been reported in the past few years. Your opinion is definitely a valuable one.

Marie T...one of the truisms in life is there will always be crooks and sick people. That is job security for cops and... Nurses!

Security is something I can't stress enough for a growing family. Lasting happiness starts and ends with security; life is not about having "things" to make us happy.

Now, jumping back to opportunity that security (that little nest egg) can bring us. Some of our most wealthy people got there by having some cash to scoop up huge bargains during the worst of times.

It's an old adage of the stock market that you want to sell whenever everyone else is buying and buy when everyone else is selling.

We're seeing some opportunity tapping at our door right now in the real estate market, but knowing when we've arrived at a bottom is the problem. Timing is in this situation is the key to success and I just don't believe we are there yet.

Look around, read the Wall Street Journal, Barons, etc., too much dark news that has yet to sink in and be felt.

When the true picture of the real estate lending bust is known and it's overall cost to taxpayers along with increasing unemployment numbers and the threat of high inflation....well, that's the next level of our recession and there will be another big drop in the market. People will be pulling back on spending pushing the economy further down real soon.

This is why I say right now is wonderful time to be aware of your world. There are many hints about things to come and a good grasp of that future is so important! For some of us with young families this knowledge and a proactive stance is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It also a great time to think about your future and where you want to be in 10-15 years.

If I were one of those guys that wrote those little messages in fortune cookies here is one I would be sure to put in your cookie:

"Use your knowledge and awareness to insure your future success."