Listen to (the then nonexistent) podcasts about finance so maybe by the time you're 18, you understand that a private education for a low-paying industry won't be a great ROI. OH and listen to your dad, go to the community college, or a public university for heaven's sake! and maybe be a civil engineer. since that's the work you basically do now but don't get paid for since you don't have that degree. that turned into a vent sesh. lol.