This is Optimal Finance Daily, Episode 1855, The College Conundrum by J.O. Collins of J.O. Collins NH.com,

and I'm your host and personal finance enthusiast Diana Mariam.

Now let's get to today's post as we optimize your life.

The College Conundrum by J.O. Collins of J.O. Collins NH.com

Back in the day, I put myself through the University of Illinois taking down diseased elm trees.

I was paid $20 a day, six days a week, for $120 per week.

I saved $100 and kept $20 for pocket money.

I spunged off my parents for the summer's room and board.

Over 12 weeks, I put aside $1200 that covered my rent, tuition, fees, books, and food

for the entire school year. Although many dinners were white rice and ketchup,

but that left a few bucks for beer at the local taverns.

25 cents a glass if you went to the right place at the right time.

Then, like now, times were bad. At least for us English majors, it took me two years of

menial jobs before I landed my first post-graduation professional gig.

No problem. I'd mastered in the art of cheap living while earning my degree.

I graduated debt-free. Here's my favorite cartoon.

The visual is two guys on a cornfield. The rep on racks dressed in shabby clothes,

straw is coming out from their shirtcoffs and pant legs.

They're serving a scarecrows. One is looking over at the other saying,

English major, how about you? This spring, my daughter finished her second year of university.

$1200 about covers the cost of her books. $53,562 so far.

And it's only that low because she earned a $12,000 annual academic scholarship.

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