I recently had a comment on one of my most popular blog posts, Living on One Income. The commenter, Johnathon is clearly frustrated with not having completed his own education and being ‘stuck’ (so many of us can relate) in his current situation. While I plan to write a full blog post about his concerns, and some ideas, I think this article offers one key to changing your personal situation.
Online classes and online learning are becoming increasingly popular and may offer an opportunity for you to further your education from home. A recent Stanford class (where tuition is nearly $50,000/year) offers an artificial intelligence class that a handful of students take each year. Simply by offering the information available online (and for free) they have received over 100,000 signups! (my son is one of them)
The below is a sponsored guest post talks about the advantages of learning online, and personally I believe it is the wave of the future. I know much can be said for the real life college experience, but considering how mobile our world is now it’s nice to think you could travel the world while learning online, or keep your dayjob and study in the evenings.
Kelly
Taking Online College Courses Could Be Your Financial Answer
photo credit: PromoMadrid
It can’t be stated enough, but education really is the key. It unlocks a lot of doors and gives you the tools to go forward and better your life. That’s why taking online college courses to further your education could be the way to give both you and your family a better future.
Cost is the biggest factor when making the decision to go back to school, but luckily there are classes you can take online. By using the Internet, you can log on and take classes and get the education that you want while never having to leave you home.
The cost-saving benefits of taking courses online include:
Transportation Costs
For starters, when you’re taking online classes, you don’t have to go anywhere. This is one of the biggest pluses given that Americans have seen the price of gas go through the roof. Gas prices aren’t going to go down, however reducing the time you are behind the wheel or taking public transportation is more money in your pocket. It may not seem like that big of a deal, but we spend more on our gas than we do on many of our bills. It’s even worse when you have a larger vehicle designed to be a family car. SUVs and vans get terrible gas mileage. A lot of people are taking online courses because to save on the transportation costs alone, especially if the nearest university or college is miles away or requires fighting rush hour traffic.
Food Costs
Let’s face it, when you’re out and about, you tend to eat at some type of restaurant. This is far more expensive than eating at home. This is a common occurrence when you’re at your college and you’re pressed for time. You just want a quick bite to eat and you rationalize it because it just costs a few dollars. What you are not thinking about is the hundreds of times that you’ve said that. Those costs add up over time and translate into big money. When you’re working from home, you can eat at home as well.
Child Care Costs
When people end up returning to school, they are typically working. In some households both partners are working in addition to one or both going to school. This means that you have to find childcare, or sacrifice precious family time to attend school. Child care services can be incredibly expensive, especially in major metro areas where it isn’t uncommon for a parent to pay thousands annually. If you’re taking online classes, you don’t have to worry about childcare, or losing quality family time. You can get your education while your children play in the next room, or after they are tucked in for the night. It still requires sacrifice, but it won’t be as costly.
Tuition Fees
Many online universities cost much less than traditional colleges. If you’re dealing with a firmly established and traditional institution, then you’re probably not going to see much or any price reduction even if you can take their classes online. The cost to them is far less to provide the education, but this doesn’t stop them from charging expensive fees. You may also have to attend certain workshops or classes in person as well. Instead, look for accredited online universities that have a good reputation of working with students, as well as speaking with alumni.
Online classes can be taken anywhere-even Starbucks!
The online community has given us a chance to get a degree without having to worry about many of the costs of getting a degree through a traditional college or university.
Have you or would you take classes online?
Disclosure: This is a sponsored guest post.
© 2011, Whalen Media LLC. All rights reserved. To repost or publish, please email Kelly.
