<p>I just read the book and I have mixed feelings about it: I like his message about how post-grad debt is very bad and can keep you from pursuing your dreams, but how many families have 10k sitting in the bank waiting to be spent on a college education? Any opinions?</p>
<p>Some students work their way through college and pay as they go. I think a little debt (less than 10k) isn’t bad and will help you to establish better credit at a younger age. Over 20k will start to limit you post-grad depending on your career path. </p>
<p>Consider what expenses you will have post-grad - possibly a car loan, insurance, rent, food, utilities, travel (for work or leisure), etc. It adds up quickly.</p>
<p>^^ If you don’t go to an over-priced private college, it is possible to work full-time and attend school full-time and finish in 4 years. I worked full-time through most of my college experience and my grades were high, and I still had time to be involved in research. I also wasn’t much of a social butterfly, so this worked out perfectly fine for me. There are a few people here working well over 20 hours a week and in school full-time. It takes time management skills. </p>
<p>Most high school/early college students don’t have car loans at the amounts they have post-grad; most graduates would like to trade in their beater for something nicer (or out of necessity to have a reliable vehicle), which is what I meant. I was also referring more to commuter students (since money is the issue and dorming is expensive), who might contribute something to the household, but not at the same rate you’d pay out on your own.</p>