Fortunately I haven't started paying off all of them yet...me and my husband have sat down and talked about all this stuff...and we realize that means making sacrifices. When graduation day does come though, it's going to be a rough start...no matter what career path ends up being primary. Even worse...I'm fighting just to keep my medical right now. 4 weeks ago I was fine, thinking my aviation future was all bright and dandy...and now, hell I'm just happy to be alive. I wont go into the situation, and that really has nothing to do with the topic at hand...

I think FN hit it well though...about defining QOL. Future also nailed it. Family comes first, and it should. If you can't keep your budget on a positive side, then reconsider your options. There are always ways to do things, and finding a career that suits you and your lifestyle is important...even though it may not be that dream job from when you were 10. Not everyone becomes a professional sports star, actor, or singer. Life has a funny way of working out, and often more than not plans don't work out as we thought the would...sometimes for the better.