Going back to school after 40...it's not too late!

I'm a 46 year old woman, and in August, I went back to college to earn my Bachelor's Degree. It'll take me over three years attending full-time to finish, but I feel like, with the economy in the state it's in, there's no time like the present to take control of your life to better your financial situation.

My husband lost his job a year ago from a company he thought was solid and would weather the economic storm. Out of the blue, it tanked, and he, along with 8 or 10 other guys, were told to pack up their things and head on home.

We had to think fast! I continued my job working as a para educator in one of our town's elementary schools. Since my husband had extra time on his hands, he began working on a website idea that he hadn't had time to create prior to losing his job. It took him a few months working 12 to 16 hour days - everyday - to complete it, and it's fabulous (www.greatoldtvshows.com). We launched the site in April, and even though it's been slow going, it showed definite steady progress in the 9 months it's been up.

In July, however, since we have no school which means no income for me, I acquired another job in a local pharmacy which allowed me to work full-time until school started at which time I moved to part-time (evenings and weekends). However, a month after I started that part-time job, I decided to go to college to improve our finances. This venture has been quite a new experience for me as I have never attended college having chosen to take a different path after high school including marriage and children.

I am enrolled in an adult degree program through Union Institute and University. It's a great program because there are three options of how you want to attend that best fits your schedule for example, you can choose the online option, the cycle option (independent study with week long attendance), or the weekend option which is an independent study while attending the campus residency for 5 weekends per term. This schedule allows adults to continue to work at their jobs while working toward a college degree.

I have to admit that I have really been enjoying the whole experience (even the extensive amount of reading and writing) because I have been forced to push and stretch myself more than I thought I could. So, it's a win-win for both my husband and me! Because I had no college credits going in, I am looking at earning the full 120 credits to graduate. This will take at least three years attending full-time - meaning 12 credits per term - (including the summer). It's time consuming, and sometimes I wish I didn't have to read or write another word, but I'm giving it my best shot because I know that in a few years, I will be able to get a better job making more money!

My husband, in the mean time, has started a business designing and building websites for small businesses in our area for a very low fee. He has a small portfolio so far, but business is starting to pick up with word of mouth from happy customers! Check that website out if you have (or know someone who has) a small business and may benefit from a website at a very reasonable price. (www.everybodyhasawebsite.com).

Between the two of us, we are working toward creating a better future for ourselves, and we hope that, by the time we're both 50 years old, we will have done the hard work and be on our way to a secure financial life...together!