I essentially dropped out of college my first attempt because I was daytrading OEX options (this was in '95) and I wasn't making it to class. Boy was I glued to my screen (I got tick-by-tick data on an ANSI terminal). Up and down, up and down, It was like crack. I blew up and got a job doing IT stuff and left school with about a year's worth of credits. A bit later I went back to school in the evenings and took stuff I was interested in: Philosophy, History, Latin, computer science. I ended up with a BA in history and philosophy of science, summa cum laude. It made for some long days and nights. Once in awhile I'd do some highly speculative trades - taking pot shots at gettin' a big stake. Mostly though, my wife and I stuffed money into our 401ks until, surprisingly, we began to feel somewhat financially firm. Living paycheck-to-paycheck working for someone else sucks, I'd agree. However, working for someone else, who pays you steadily _and_ having enough money saved up that you don't really worry about losing your job, perhaps 6-9 months of salary, feels pretty good. I'd suspect most of the folks who truly despise employment are working through the former situation. I estimate the amount of money I'd need in order to not really worry about a job to be about $2M. Until then, maybe I'll diversify into some real estate etc while I continue collecting paychecks. Though the passage is difficult, the farther we trace it - the easier it becomes. When I finish my MBA in a year, I hope I'll be collecting a paycheck or working as a pro trading with some performance attribution. (Incidentally, I'm looking for a trading-related internship this summer - if anyone has some suggestions please PM me). Kant defined Enlightenment as man's emergence from his self-imposed immaturity. I respect the independent traders who have grabbed life by the balls in that spirit. I'm not personally into taking huge risks when I dont have a clear edge or basis. I've got some informed ideas though, and we'll see what I cook up in the future. One thing's for sure, I'm not going to go "all in" and lose a significant amount of money. Being a 'tool' for some corporation and a slave to a mortgage until you die isn't the way to go. However, just because someone chooses to be employed does not necessarily make them some kind of drone. They might be a little more in control of their life than you realize.
You're being a dumbass about this tradestrong. Icarus is a very intelligent poster...save the venom for those who deserve it.
Seriously, people in here actually enjoy the "freedom" they have of not working for other people? Yea right, clearly this thread is not about getting a degree or not, itâs about the complexities of those who argue against a degree. Sadly, people in this forum still feel inferior to their upper mgnt. and instead choose to opt out to - wow, live on their own! Working for other people?, um yea. Others and I are actually preparing for, eventually THEIR positions which are higher in the chain. Please, what "freedom" do those of you enjoy when you⦠have little to no money? Trading your own money could only earn so much, as opposed to handling large accounts, which you wonât get anywhere near less you have earned a college or higher degree. Please, kids go to school and do not think you know everything just yet, actually pay attention in Bio, His, and especially Math as well as other areas. You might learn something. :eek:
Opinions vary. Glad you enjoy answering to someone else for your paycheck, no matter how high up you go.
Thanks Reaver. This is honestly what I feel! Im not trying to put down a college education but I know that it isn't going to make a hell of a lot of difference in my life. I though you said you were in the military? What part of the military? My dad was an army ranger and went to Vietnam.
Motivate me? Yeah it sure did......To bust my ass and show him I didn't need his college degree to get ahead in life. Not to brag but im already making a little over half what he makes in a year and im a teenager!!! He is like so many others in this world who never take any risks. I have always been on the prawl for ways to make money. I am in the hog business,grain farming business and dabble in a little bit of real estate. And to think that most of my friends in school work at the grocery store or are lifeguards at the swimming pool! The point is you have to take risks to get ahead in life. You have to have the mentality that you ARE NOT going to settle for second best. Remember 2nd place is a 1st place loser! Im not dissing a college degree at all but just stating that it is not for everyone and it does not mean instant success in life. I will get my college degree but as far as putting it to any real use in life I highly doubt it.