In Debt

The other night, I stumbled upon an interesting blog on debt. I usually cringe when I hear the phone ring. You see, I'm drowning in debt. Student-loan debt, among others. Ugh. After determining what monthly amount I can afford to pay on my student loans and a few calculations here and there, I've come to the following results:

1. To pay off my government loans, I must pay at least $410 a month for the next 80 years.
2. To pay off my private loans, I must pay at least $200 a month for the next 9 years.
3. To pay off my Perkins Loan, I must pay at least $100 a month for the next 8 years.

Sigh. This is absolutely depressing. I should just suck it up, put on my best suit, and practice law. If I were absolutely sure that I'd enjoy that path and prosper mentally and financially, I would do just that. However, from past experience, I know that path would only lead me to self-destruction. The loathing I'd no doubt feel for my work, my colleagues, and myself would posion me. The inauthenticity plaguing my work, my actions, and my soul would kill me. I'd possibly have another mental breakdown. But this time, there would be no bouncing back from it.

I've made a lot of mistakes in the past, all of which have led me to who and where I am today. I like the person I am today and the environment I'm in. Prestige is virutally non-existent, but my sanity and soul are in tact.

In conclusion, I'll be in debt until I'm 110 years old. That is, assuming I live that long.

Knowledge is power. But to what extent would you sell your soul to the devil?