However, the popular idea these days that EVERYBODY should go straight from high school to 4 years of full-time college deserves reconsideration. Not every kid is going to make the most of that opportunity. Not every career truly requires a bachelor’s. (A good example is computer programming. Many of my friends dropped out after 2-3 years as CS majors but have great careers using the skills they learned in that time. I know many people who are self-taught in other fields, especially arts, who never went to college at all yet are quite successful.) With everybody trying to go to college, demand for scholarships is so high that only the top achievers get them.

It’s worth considering other options like community college, vo-tech programs, or working for a few years to clarify your interests and save some money before applying to colleges. One of my cousins used her inheritance from our grandmother to buy a few horses and open a riding school (originally using her parents’ land and barn) and she has been pretty successful; as a high school student she was only a bit above average and feeling burned out on school, so I doubt she would have done well in college. Her brother spent a few years delivering pizzas and letting Grandma’s money earn interest, and then when he realized he wanted to be an environmental attorney, THEN he went to college and law school. I think Grandma would be proud of all of us.

I wrote about my thoughts on debt and the value of education in Things I Learned from My Dad and Starting with Something and The Path at the End of the Road.

I went to a private university and came out with about $10,000 in debt, which I had totally paid off less than 3 years after graduation, thanks to a death in the family (and the small inheritance that came with it) as well as some help from my parents. On top of that, college ate up the $40K my parents had saved for me, as well as costing them a pretty penny to boot.

I still wonder if it was worth it. I mean… I suppose on a personal level it was, because, generous as my parents were with my financially, they’re still totally crazy, and at least I got 4 years of free therapy at the student counseling center out of the deal! Educationally speaking… who knows.

And my education was a classic liberal arts degree… with a major in music – making me, oh, so employable. I actually did end up running a music school… But look at the degrees kids get today. “Specialized” doesn’t begin to describe it. It’s hard to even call it an “education”, as it much more resembles some sort of white collar trade program. So what do you do if you declare your incredibly specific concentration in say “visual marketing with a minor in print ads”, and rack up a ton of debt, only to later discover that you hate the field and/or can’t find a job?

It’s enough to make you wonder what would happen if you skipped college altogether, and instead used the money to help your kid open their own business. I’m not really suggesting that, it just seems like the options are not really all that appealing these days.

I’ve never had any problems with the acidic rinse making my hair greasy. In fact, I actually use a bit of jojoba oil after the rinse because otherwise my ends got too dry. I also have a system of combing my hair while it has the citric acid rinse on it. You’d be AMAZED at the amount of gunk that comes out in the comb! It really helps to keep my hair from getting build up and feeling weighted down.

Anyhow, at this point I only have to wash it twice a week, there’s no frizz, the ends curl nicely all by themselves and I am one happy camper!

Best of luck in your “no poo” travels!