Implemented Knowledge Is Power!

Knowledge acquired through education, or more specifically, implemented knowledge, is as valuable as anything in maximizing human life capital (lifetime earnings potential) and in living a life of true personal and financial significance. If you are a parent or a grandparent, maximizing the human life capital of your children/grandchildren through education is just as valuable, if not more so, than anything you can ever give them.

Education, in unison with principles for life and financial success (creativity and perseverance), maximizes earnings capacity and places anyone in a position to achieve any grand goals that one may have. Orchestrating clear, organized and prioritized written goals and an action plan (progressing towards goals through college certainly qualifies as taking action) to bring them to fruition is critical. Without this, the student will not be able to maximize as much as possible from college, as there will not be a clear focus on why he/she is there and what is expected from the experience.

Knowledge, creativity and perseverance, today are more crucial then ever. Underlying all of this is a “Ready! Fire! Aim!” philosophy to life, inspiring decisions to take action. Undeniably, advancing knowledge through an education is deciding to take action, but only if a plan is in place. Besides knowledge acquired through education, the experience, exponentially advances and stimulates independence and results in creativity.

There is no excuse not to pursue a college education. Even the most financially challenged individual or family can almost always obtain federal needs-based financial aid (not simply favorable loans, but also special scholarships and grants) to finance most expenses at the majority of colleges, especially public colleges. Taking on debt is rarely an enviable position. However, when it correlates to improving employability and maximizing human life capital, it proves to be well worth it. Not having from life is no excuse for not obtaining.

The benefits of a college degree are undeniable. Individuals who obtain at minimum a bachelors degree earn almost twice as much annually compared to an individual with only a high school diploma. In addition, a graduate degree (Masters/PhD) with a strong plan in place can take learned knowledge and a career to the next level. The time and commitment required to earn a degree builds upon the foundation to make an individual a more disciplined, productive and responsible entrepreneur, employee and citizen.

Creativity develops and expands when a student is in an atmosphere with other like-minded individuals. Entrepreneurialism is strongest in the surrounding areas of the country that have significant colleges. Additionally, powerful networking opportunities abound from relationships established in college.

A strong educational foundation encourages life-long learning and even has been shown to promote civic responsibility and awareness. Those who have obtained a higher education enjoy better long-term health and, accordingly, increased life expectancy. This, of course, is due to increased earnings and the ability to afford higher quality preventative care.

Importantly, college educated parents often lead to college-educated children. Albert Einstein stated, “Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another. It is the only means.” In a world as competitive as ours, this has never been more critical.

This article is an excerpt from new book, College Money Planning, by Angelo J. Robles. College Money Planning is due for release 5/1/2007. Available at www.collegemoneyplanning.com, www.amazon.com, your favorite bookstore or by calling 1-877-buy-book (9am to 5pm eastern standard time).

Email us at info@collegemoneyplanning.com and receive your FREE monthly eNewsletter packed with college savings strategies from Angelo J. Robles, AKA “The Tuition Magician.”