Real Life and the Economy

I made a decision to get out of the auto industry and go to college. Even though I enjoyed my previous job and its rewards, I analyzed my options based on the jobs that are in demand now versus the future in my geographical area and decided it would be worth it to focus on a new occupation. The economy unfortunately played the strongest factor in this. I knew for sure that I was going to be indefinitely laid off due to curtailed production. The corporation was thoughtful enough to let most of us know this in advance so that we would have time to find a new job or seek other opportunities. I could have continued on trying to find work in this field but after doing some research in manufacturing, and what was considered to be a high demand for jobs of the future, I decided to pursue a new career as a Human Resource Manager. I knew my insurance would eventually lapse and my spending habits would have to be drastically cut right then. I am no longer able to take the family out for dinner three to four times a week; pay for expensive brand name clothes for everyone, expensive family vacations/outings or purchase new vehicles which my family and I were accustom to. Basically, everything my family and I was used to would no longer be within reason in order to survive during this transition.

The estimation to graduate with my Bachelor's in Business Administration at that time was approximately two years. I now have less than one year left. My five children who were used to wearing name brand clothes and having spending money when they needed it have finally adapted to it. There have been times I was not able to make a house payment not to mention the possibility of losing my house. For every hour I sit down and do my studying for online classes, I still think about how much money I could be making instead of schoolwork but then an ah-ha goes off reminding me why I am doing it. I am doing this for the well-being of my family. My family means everything to me and my...