Me: 28 year old, single. HS Diploma and no college credits. I take home about 36k after tax and employer match contributions. Bought a 115k house in 2014 with 20% down. Got loose with my money in the following years so my savings aren't great but sticking to my budget I think I can comfortably save 8 - 10k per year.
I work in a highly specialized (lots of non-transferable skills) field that is dying off due to technology and outsourcing. I'm close to the top of my income potential with the exception of possibly getting a management position (difficult to do with my lack of degree) that could bump me up by 10-15k.
Now that I'm paying attention to my finances, budgeting, and thinking further into the future, I find myself worried about a lack of future job opportunities and a stagnating income. Does it make sense to go back to school part time and start from scratch? Or would it be wiser to try to up my savings rate as much as possible and invest in some rental properties or something? I don't have any burning desire to go into any specific field of study, but I am concerned with increasing my income. Another factor is that I have a long commute and don't live particularly close to any community colleges. Even saving for commute costs and rental income from current residence, moving to the city, closer to work and schools, would cost me close to 5k a year increased cost of living. Not really sure what I can/should do to put myself in a better position for the future.
Any general ideas or guidance would be much appreciated.
Submitted April 24, 2017 at 06:42PM by NonLiberalsAreRacist http://ift.tt/2pbJcs5
