I'm 34 and Only Make $14,000 A Year, What Should I Do?

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[NickDrendel]

One thing you have to do is applaud these callers. They’re among the few that realize they have a finance issue and are FACING IT, instead of hiding from it. So for that, way to go 👏🏻.

[grmacaw]

I would suggest first get a job as a cook in a busy kitchen, enjoying cooking for family is a whole lot different than working in a busy kitchen under pressure.

[charlesdyga]

Community college should have something to offer. Don't go to Art Institute

[ImNHTV]

“Don’t live your dream in such a way that becomes a nightmare”

[lesliek]

Work for a year in a kitchen and see if you even like it, while you earn money.

[DreadlocDivaNextDoor]

The reality is that most likely when he goes into debt to become a “chef”, he will end up working as a “cook” and not make much money.

[dicebagdaryl]

I'm an IT Engineer with 15 years of experience, and I got into the IT field because I always enjoyed computers as a hobby growing up. I can say first hand that the platitude "get a job doing what you love and you'll never work a day in your life" is an absolute load of manure. Turning your passion into the thing that you HAVE TO DO in order to pay your bills is a REALLY QUICK way to turn your "passion" into a day job and you'll no longer enjoy doing it.

[valaquenta]

Love this guy's energy. Don't sweat it man, when you're 75-80 years old you'll remember how young 34 is. Usually when you start life late, you got a lot of motivation as you're much more mature and with a ton of life experience in a way. Go for it !!!

[KrystalToddCPA]

$46k for culinary school?? Not that anything is guaranteed, but with cooking I feel like school is only half the battle. Some people just have that natural skill that school can't teach.

[bkspielman]

Do NOT go to the Art Institute. That's the FASTEST road to turning your dream into a nightmare. In fact, I think they were in a lawsuit in another state a decade ago because their idea of "helping" someone with a chef degree find a job after college was McDonalds. So, beware.

[whatevsbyatch]

I knew a young girl who got in 100k debt for a cooking degree... her poor family lost their land and home... you're doing God's work Dave by preaching financial sense and not selling false hope to those who are most in need!

[Midge-xntp]

Seems like the only guarantee from “school” is debt

[AnnMitt]

He should go nursing school since he has so much experience taking care of sick people. Nurses in my area are making $40/hour

[EPerez-iwzp]

He should just go to a community college and take culinary arts there

[michaelargenta]

YOU DONT NEED A CULINARY DEGREE TO BECOME A CHEF !!!
USE THAT MONEY TO BUY A FOOD TRUCK AND SEE IF YOU ACTUALLY LIKE IT OR START WASHING DISHES....

[The.Dude.Abides.]

Go work for UPS. You'll make good money, they will pay for your schooling AND you'll have FULL healthcare benefits.

[rachelroelands]

I love how Dave came up with alternatives. You can tell the guy thought he only had one way to fulfill his dream, but Dave was able to think outside the box

[spiritualgiftsireland]

I'm an ex Chef. Now I run my own business. Firstly Chef textbooks contain everything you need to know apart from pratical application. Buy those and learn everything yourself. Secondly practice your knife skills at home by yourself. Knife skills give you speed. Then approach a very good establishment and offer to work for free one day a week to do their prep work. When they see your knife skills, knowledge of sauces, meat cuts etc they will quickly offer you a position. If they don't then at least you have experience of being in a kitchen from doing the unpaid one day a week. *** If you go to college and then look for work you will still be considered a learner for many years and will have to work your way up. Finally if you want to fast track yourself then think of something unusual food related that is also pratical and easy for home use and start you tube and instagram. Special dietary requirement foods are really in demand as are healthy organic baby foods. Find a niche and become an expert at it. Best of luck.

[TheEkid]

Dave’s response before I even watch this: “get 7 jobs and work 300 hours a week”.

[brianb]

This guy is in San Antonio, he needs to go oil field for a while and save money for his schooling.