OT: Are you doing what your really want to do?

Omg I'm right along with Necee.  Lol tears flowing at 7:50 a.m.  Beautiful.  I can only be so lucky that my kids look up to me as much in the near future.  She must of been an exceptional woman! 

My answer would depend on what are the long term goals for you & DH? If you will stay in your area, then no, don't go into debt to get a job that likely doe not exist there. BTW, school debt is GOOD debt, usually! If it is paying for a degree in a discipline that you see great potential for and it is a real calling that you feel.   If the health care field, then perhaps yes, it may be a good idea to get started now. I have a niece who is 38 starting up her nursing career!  Waiting to get into the program now. I was 40 when I got my BA! it took me 8 years to get my AA when my kids were home - it is not easy. But the years pass anyway, so you may as well be chipping away at it. Your kids are at an age that they can pitch in and help. when i went back to school to finish up my degree, I was as I say, 38ish.  There were people in my class who were 60! I kind athought they were crazy, but not anymore.  This life is all we have, may as well make it more intersting.  School is FUN, too. work and housework got in the way of truly enjoting it.  My house was a wreck, but so what.

Do I love my work?  yes.  i think it matters, i am helping society, i am stimulated each day, i am challenged. It chose me, though, i did not dream of this job. Life led me here.

Always go for your dream no matter your age! Is my job my dream job? No. Do I love my job? Yes. My ultimate dream is to move out to Los Angeles and become a hairdresser that specializes in color blocking, creative highlights, awesome off the wall hair cuts, and exquisite up-dos.  Here in Michigan I can just be like the rest..normal Cosmetologist I want to take it to the next and extreme level and do it big! Oh and have my own salon out there. :) My job now is far from what my dream is...but I get paid well and get to travel a slight bit lol. Plus I don't mind any of it, I actually like what I do...but i dont want to do it for the rest of my life.

Geez I wish you lived nearby.  I want to do something with my hair!  I went in to get it cut a few months ago.  I was determined I was going to walk out with something different.  I ended up only getting a trim.  Lol, I caved at the last minute.  The lady was no help, think she liked my hair or something.  But she doesn't have to live with it!  I'm sooooo ready for a change, just don't know what to do with it!  

I hope you get what you want.  There's nothing better to be able to accomplish what you want.  And there's really no reason for it!  All I can say is I just wish I did it all before having kids!  It would have been so much easier!! 

You sound sort of like me.  I've gone to school a few times, but with kids and life I just haven't got to finish yet.  This last university I was applying for put me as a junior with a little less than two years to finish for my bachelors.  It is really killing me knowing I haven't finished.  But at the same time I keep thinking of the money, how old I am, etc.  Just makes me wonder if it's really worth it at this age.  Lol, you know I was thinking about classes and how old everyone would be.  Heck, I even thought of if I could fit into those tiny chairs.  Okay, here's the fat person coming out.ha  

Think I'm going to give it some serious thought. 

"It is really killing me knowing I haven't finished.......Just makes me wonder if it's really worth it at this age." Yes, it's worth it. "Hope" can fuel your life. Success and progress make it all worthwhile. Sitting there allowing it to kill you and thoughts of "What if I just would have... Where would I be if...." Think about it this way. In all the time you've been thinking about it you could have already had that much of it out of the way.  You've probably been wanting to go back to school for 4+ years.  The time you've spent wanting, you could have had.  Don't worry about money. You'll find a way.  Apply, get connected with people and learn about grants, loans, scholarships and whatever it takes to get what you desire.  Go for it.  Wallow in self-pity about not doing, or do and gloat pridefully.

yes, Holly, I agree with Kriz...learning is never a complete waste - ever.   Having a degree does not guarantee more $, but it sure does help point that direction, more than for folks who do not have a degree. Education is a lot like investments - can pay off and can be a wash, but it has zero value if it does not exist.  You almost have your degree, just lack the paper. Many communities have a degree completion program!  Check into it. Educated mothers are the most valuable resource a country can hope for!  It goes without saying that you are doing one of the most important, undervalued jobs that exists - being a mom!