I Hated School
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (91311)
United States
August 18, 2022 7:57am CST
As I was on my way to work this morning and found myself behind a school bus picking up the kids on their way to school, I was reminded for a moment how much I hated school. I mean, I hated everything about it.
Not to discount school, nor its importance per se. I simply found that in particular, my high school years were just wasted time. To me it was too much repetition and useless information.
So, early on I made the conscious decision that college would never be my thing. I simply was not going to go and that was that. I did always have an interest in money, though, and even in my earliest memory, business fascinated me.
So, in 1992, after graduating from high school in 1991, I decided to enlist in the Navy, and spent 4 years on the USS Enterprise (CVN-65).
During that time I spent as much of my free time as possible studying business, investing and real estate. At the time I was unsure if I would stay in after my four years or get out.
My dad retired from the Navy after 23-years of service.
But four years was it for me. I had saved up as much money as I could while I was in, invested what I could, and got out in 1996 and took a job with Quad Graphics. It was hard work and very little money. But I also got more deeply involved in investing, and even bought my first rental property in 1998.
My thing was, in deciding to get out, that I just wanted to get on with it. I wanted to have more control over my money and my time and get on with it.
The best "schooling" for me turned out to be the school of life, and it served me better than any pre-college school or college itself could ever have served me.
The thing is, it wasn't always pretty. I never made a lot of money and I lost almost all of my money making mistakes more than once. But I learned from it, kept at it, never gave up...
And it eventually paid off for me.
15 people like this
15 responses
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Aug 22
I pushed college with my two kids, but equally among other choices out there. I told my daughter, you can go to college or you can marry a sugar daddy. lol just kidding!
My son has wanted to be an electrician since about the 10th grade. Although I always encouraged college, I also told him that trade school was an equally viable alternative. He is currently working with his uncle who just started his own electrical company, so my son is pursuing his passion.
For both of my kids, I always told them that they didn't have to follow what everyone else was doing, that it was more important to pursue their passions and dreams, even if that meant something other than college.
2 people like this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
23 Aug 22
@moffittjc I think that's the best way to go. College has been pushed far too much in the past few decades and I think it sends the wrong message. There are worthy and good things people can do to make a good living, still, without a degree, and of course we need people to be able to do all kinds of jobs—even the dirty ones.
1 person likes this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
18 Aug 22
This is something I harp on all the time. I mean, when you think about it, many of those professions are not only in high demand, they are extremely well paying jobs to boot. Most plumbers make upwards of $80k a year, and obviously those that go into business for themselves make much more than that. Even manufacturing jobs pay well into the high $50k to $80k range. Hell, I made $60k a year at Coca-Cola for crying out loud. Guys who work at places like Miller and Anheuser-Bush average $70k to $85k a year.
Not only do they make more money, often times, than college grads, they don't have the enormous student loan debt to repay, which means more of the money they do make remains theirs.
You are spot on on this one, and I fully agree.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (68230)
• United States
18 Aug 22
When I was in school they taught real-world things, like “home economics.” They really need to teach that again: how to manage money in particular. Kids get a credit card and it’s maxed out in an hour. 
The Navy will teach you a lot of things….mainly acronyms and cuss words. 
The Navy will teach you a lot of things….mainly acronyms and cuss words. 2 people like this
@FourWalls (68230)
• United States
19 Aug 22
@porwest — yeah, they didn’t tell me about Never Again Volunteer Yourself until after I’d reenlisted.
USMC: Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children!!!
USMC: Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children!!! 1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68230)
• United States
20 Aug 22
@porwest — maybe he got thrown for a loop with the word officer.
1 person likes this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
20 Aug 22
@FourWalls Marines were an interesting batch of folks as I remember. I remember running the ship's laundry and they assigned a Marine to my detail—a lance corporal. He went to attention every time I walked past him.
I was a third class petty officer for crying out loud! lol
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89980)
• Arvada, Colorado
18 Aug 22
I got the best of both worlds, college and hands on trade and a great elementary school for a firm foundational grasp on the world regarding self discipline.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89980)
• Arvada, Colorado
19 Aug 22
@porwest Yes they could learn something Jim you are right
1 person likes this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
18 Aug 22
Life is essentially what one derives from it, learns from it, and how they contribute to it. Perspective is really where it's at when all is said and done. And never seeing barriers. Only challenges. It works. I wish more people would try it.
1 person likes this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
19 Aug 22
@RebeccasFarm Most people unfortunately prefer making excuses over learning. It just is what it is.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
18 Aug 22
I agree that school is not for everyone. For me, I loved school, I found the work to be so easy. So I did go off to college and excelled for 7 years at being a professional student! Lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 22
@porwest I couldn't make up my mind what degree I wanted to pursue. I'd change majors just about every year. Plus, I really enjoyed the college life, it's like living in a bubble from the real world. lol
And it certainly wasn't wasted time, for several reasons: one, I was working at Walmart during that entire time, got promoted into management, and was investing heavily in their stock, which back then was an incredible growth stock. After I left the company when I graduated, I sold the stock and used the money to pay for my wedding and honeymoon, buy my wife a car, and put a hefty down payment on our new house. Two, I put my eventual degree to good use and worked a 25+ year career in municipal government, and my reward there is the fact that I will now collect a lifelong pension. So it wasn't all bad.
1 person likes this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
21 Aug 22
@moffittjc There are exceptions to every rule. The key is always what you do, not what one expects, right? The action is what makes the difference as well as the choices one makes.
I'd like to have had my hands on some of that Walmart stock in its hay day, but I got into it much later. Incidentally, I missed the Amazon boat too. I remember when it IPOd I said, "It's an effing bookstore."
Little did I know. lol
1 person likes this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
18 Aug 22
In some cases college is necessary for career building. But I think that is also a bit of a misnomer. There are many non-college degree jobs that actually pay more than college degreed ones. Over the years too much emphasis, I think, has been placed on college—but that is of course a product of marketing. Colleges have a financial interest in filling classrooms with tuition paying students.
The other thing to consider is that statistically most people who majored in one thing never used their degrees and pursued other professions instead.
My boss, for example, has a degree in civil engineering which he has never used and never worked in any job requiring a civil engineer. He is in sales and management these days. Something that does not require a degree, and he makes a six figure salary.
My wife and I make six figure salaries together and neither of us have degrees either.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
18 Aug 22
The best schooling in this world is personal experience. And of course, learning from our own mistakes, which we all make(some just don't admit it). Book learning is great, but it's useless if it isn't applied in the everyday world. My sister had 10 years of college, yet she's as dumb as a rock. Your life experiences taught you how to handle money, which most people never grasp onto. Good for you!
2 people like this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
20 Aug 22
Personal experience is certainly a big learner. But of course, depending on the perspective of the experience it can also be a crutch. I often cite an example of one who sees the stock market, throws in a grand or two, loses it all and then walks away thinking the whole thing is rigged.
What they learn in that circumstance is that the stock market is wrong for them and only for the rich and a big scam anyway.
Wrong lesson of course because the right lesson would have been, "I did not know what I was doing and would have been better off learning how to do it before I put my money in it." lol
As for people with college degrees who are dumber than a box of rocks. You've got that right. I always like to use the term, "book smart but reality stupid." It sounds a little mean, but it has been my experience with a lot of my college friends and family. They just don't have the "thing," if you know what I mean. But congrats on their fancy, framed pieces of paper on their walls that they mortgaged their future income to. 
I saw money early on and saw people making lots of it, and rather than be envious of them or angry at them, I got to know them and I asked them questions and got involved. It forever changed my life. The one big secret I learned is that money and having money really has nothing to do with making a lot of money—it has to do with how one THINKS about money and what one DOES with money.
Game changer. Let me tell you.
I saw money early on and saw people making lots of it, and rather than be envious of them or angry at them, I got to know them and I asked them questions and got involved. It forever changed my life. The one big secret I learned is that money and having money really has nothing to do with making a lot of money—it has to do with how one THINKS about money and what one DOES with money.
Game changer. Let me tell you.1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
20 Aug 22
@porwest Over fifty years ago, my brother-in-law (about 25) invested money in KFC. He made out like a bandit! He didn't stay with it, but darn he did make a fair amount. My sister is 76 and talks about being the one in our family, with a college degree. Where did she work? A checker at WalMart!
Her schooling didn't quality her for a better job! She's stupid with a signed piece of paper
Her schooling didn't quality her for a better job! She's stupid with a signed piece of paper1 person likes this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
21 Aug 22
@kobesbuddy There can be a few stocks that really give one a good run for their money. I wish I had more like that in my portfolio. lol
I wonder if he owned KFC around the time Yum Brands bought them out—that would have been a very nice payday.
As for your sister. lol
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41459)
• United States
18 Aug 22
Now I understand why you are so knowledgeable about finances. You've been an encouragement to so many myLoters.
1 person likes this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
18 Aug 22
I have been at this for many, many years. I try to help share my knowledge. If I can get to one person? Job done. I hate seeing people struggle with money when they do not have to, and it would be selfish of me not to share what I have learned. IMO.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83505)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
19 Aug 22
I enjoyed my life in college as a student leader and school paper editor. I was the president of the ROTARACT club and other clubs. I enjoyed learning mathematics and physics. I never had hated school. Just sharing my journey in college. 
1 person likes this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
19 Aug 22
Certainly it is different for everyone. I know I just dreaded each and every day of it. It's probably part of the reason I skipped school so much in high school. But still graduated early...figure that one out. AND with a 4.0 to boot. lol
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (179152)
• United States
19 Aug 22
You and I have had the college discussion before; so I won't dwell on that. I hated high school but only because I was put into a bunch of honors classes; and the high school I went to, at that time, was in the top 10 schools in the nation...and they were tough! I felt that all I did was study all the time; and I received my first low grades of my life. I had to work twice as hard to bring them all up. I hated it. Junior high, on the other hand, while it was a transition from parochial school to public school, I made a lot of friends and did pretty well grade-wise, even in an advanced course that I took in Algebra. Thank you for sharing your background information and how you got into investing. I hope some members use that information to plot a course for their lives.
1 person likes this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
25 Aug 22
@LindaOHio I did not feel like you did.
1 person likes this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
23 Aug 22
Yes. I believe we have had that discussion before. lol. Of course we have had a lot of discussions, you and I.
Granted, life paths are not the same for anyone, nor of course are people's interests. BUT, the one common interest we all seem to have is to make more money, and yet, one of the best ways to actually accomplish that is the one thing that is most often overlooked, discounted, and discarded.
Saving and investing and participating in the wealth business creates.
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35037)
• Philippines
19 Aug 22
I learned learning is an ongoing process. I'm enjoying studying on my own lately.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56486)
• Philippines
22 Aug 22
I never expected that I could study in college for we are poor and college tuition fees are expensive.
I visited the college a walking distance from our house, just to roam around and I spotted a young man sweeping the porch. I asked him if he's the janitor. He replied no for he's a working student to save himself from paying his tuition fees.
I wanted to apply for a working student and I was admitted. Early in the morning, I went to college to clean and sweep all the hallway on the first, 2nd and 3rd floor.
1 person likes this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
23 Aug 22
College is very expensive everywhere, and I think not ultimately worth the expense. But going is of course something of personal choice. I just feel that if one's aim is to seek better money, college may not actually be the way to do that.
1 person likes this
@porwest (91311)
• United States
25 Aug 22
@Nakitakona Something I often point out. It's not to say don't go if someone wants to. But should not be the priority based on one's talents and desires—most college grads actually don't make a lot of money. It has always been a bit of a misnomer. The guy who comes to fix a college grad's toilet usually is making bank compared to the guy who calls the guy to fix the toilet. In fact, the garbage man typically makes more money too.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56486)
• Philippines
24 Aug 22
@porwest I know what you mean. There are billionaires who are dropped outs but yet they're so lucky un their business endeavors or entrepreneurship.
1 person likes this
@Butterfingers (66583)
• India
18 Aug 22
You showed a good way to those that have no interest in school and education that won't be useful in life
1 person likes this
@Ravi6300 (106)
•
21 Aug 22
Hi I am in college right now, but my principle told once, I think last that now life will teach you. I knew this sentence before. But now life is teaching me. It teaches the importance of money. Once my teacher also told that only books, knowledge will be with your life and will help in achieving everything. Life taught me. Money and knowledge is precious we should regularly grow it.
1 person likes this
@Mysticpizza (201)
• United States
19 Aug 22
We homeschooled our son from 11 yrs old on. He had never been the academic type, unlike myself who loves school although I despised college. It didn't help that I was VERY introverted back then. My son? He is as extroverted as they come and a strong willed, independent child and now a young man.
All that to say we did a more Blue Collar Homeschool approach. By the time he was 15 he was working off jobs. Now that he is 18 he is working full time at a local lumber yard/ home supply business, bought his own car and is working on making his own way. I was able to give him course such as High School Finance-Foundations in Finance by Dave Ramsey, Real World Math, on top of the required by the state courses. He started Civil Air Patrol at 12 and he has stayed the course. He's up for Deputy Commander of Cadets.
Real life is not a bad thing and many Blur Collar learned men and women are making very good livings these days.
