Husband wants to get another Masters

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually retired military officers already have one or more Master's Degrees. Doesn't he have them? What are additional MAs going to do for him?

I wouldn't advise anyone over 50 to get an MA. Chance of payoff is low. Unless your job is paying for it, or something.

He'd be much better off putting his time and energy into writing a book. Or getting a better job.

If he insists on doing an MA, try to find a cheap online program...

We both already have Masters degrees. I applied for and was accepted to another Masters through an education program at work - something we had discussed months ago when I applied for it. I start in the spring. He just came up with pursuing an MBA after talking to a friend at the gym a few weeks ago. I’ve rarely said no to any of his ideas... I want to say no to this, but I do want him to be happy and feel fulfilled.

[Anonymous]

An MBA is useless.

Encourage him to really research it, what are his goals what did he like about it?

[Anonymous]

Would his degree be paid for with VA benefits? Does it provide for B&H allowance?

[Anonymous]

I don't know where you are, but I would suggest someone with his background look into working in higher education.

[Anonymous]

be supportive. encourage him to look into on-line masters degrees or certificates in IT/data analytics, etc. this gives him the flexibility of taking classes and still staying at home and being as involved as he is in the household.

if he wanted to go back to work, with his military background, he could make a fortune and work on his own terms

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:M He talks about flipping homes for income, but I am against it.

Why are you against it? It sounds like an excellent use of his home-improvement skills. And gives him the flexibility to work around the kids schedule. He can work while they are at school and if he needs to do more, he can do it after you come home from work.

If you are concerned about the financial aspects, have him start up and LLC, put the starter money there, and he can pay himself a salary from the LLC when there is money to pay out. It keeps the business assets separate from the family assets. He gets paid when the business has money to pay him. He doesn't otherwise. The money earned from one job will then be used to pay for expenses of future jobs.

Is there another reason you are against it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:M He talks about flipping homes for income, but I am against it.

Why are you against it? It sounds like an excellent use of his home-improvement skills. And gives him the flexibility to work around the kids schedule. He can work while they are at school and if he needs to do more, he can do it after you come home from work.

If you are concerned about the financial aspects, have him start up and LLC, put the starter money there, and he can pay himself a salary from the LLC when there is money to pay out. It keeps the business assets separate from the family assets. He gets paid when the business has money to pay him. He doesn't otherwise. The money earned from one job will then be used to pay for expenses of future jobs.

Is there another reason you are against it?

I’m against it because of the start up costs. I don’t want to use our savings for it.

[Anonymous]

I think an MBA program at his age is quite likely a huge waste of money. However, if he can find some way to do one for free then I don't see the problem.

I have a friend who put a lot of time and effort into studying for the GMAT a few years ago and was able to obtain a full-tuition scholarship at Georgetown (and less generous scholarships at much better schools). I also know someone who is going to Cornell's MBA program for free. I'd imagine this would be difficult to do but if your husband can actually put in the leg work to get a substantial scholarship then you should let him do it. He sounds like his current life is not fulfilling to him.

It does not sound like he ever agreed to permanently be a stay at home dad. Which...of course it is nice to have someone at home for you. But if you guys are retired how young could your kids actually be? How boring and lonely for him to be at home all day without the kids! This isn't a knock on stay at home parents but no one should have to do that unless that is their passion.

Even if he doesn't do the masters program. You need to stop thinking of him as just a person who helps out with the kids and is a good cook but as a partner who also has needs that you should consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think an MBA program at his age is quite likely a huge waste of money. However, if he can find some way to do one for free then I don't see the problem.

I have a friend who put a lot of time and effort into studying for the GMAT a few years ago and was able to obtain a full-tuition scholarship at Georgetown (and less generous scholarships at much better schools). I also know someone who is going to Cornell's MBA program for free. I'd imagine this would be difficult to do but if your husband can actually put in the leg work to get a substantial scholarship then you should let him do it. He sounds like his current life is not fulfilling to him.

It does not sound like he ever agreed to permanently be a stay at home dad. Which...of course it is nice to have someone at home for you. But if you guys are retired how young could your kids actually be? How boring and lonely for him to be at home all day without the kids! This isn't a knock on stay at home parents but no one should have to do that unless that is their passion.

Even if he doesn't do the masters program. You need to stop thinking of him as just a person who helps out with the kids and is a good cook but as a partner who also has needs that you should consider.

I didn’t mean to come off like he’s just someone taking care of the kids and doing home projects. He is my partner and my love - which is why I want him to be fulfilled. I just don’t see an MBA as doing that for him. He can get it paid for, just a matter of juggling me working full time and starting a masters in the spring.
The problem has been that his career field requires a lot of travel. Last job he had he was gone 50% of the time. Neither of us liked that.
Kids are in elementary - we started late.

[Anonymous]

I can understand your concerns. It sounds to me like you certainly love & respect your husband and desire for him to find something that he will enjoy and that will also bring him a sense of fulfillment.
Perhaps the two of you can sit down and put together a list of pros and cons to some of the things that he is currently considering? Maybe that will help him to gain a clearer picture of how he should proceed without either of you later feeling like you somehow discouraged him away from pursuing something he wanted to do.
With his military background, writing really does sound like a great career path for him. I’m certain he’s probably got a wealth of information, experience, and stories to share.
No matter the path you all choose to take, I wish you both all of the very best.

[Anonymous]

Couple of follow up notes regarding PPs:

1. high GMAT score doesn’t get you scholarships. A great resume/gpa/scores/essays might

2. Please no on the flipping. It’s nearly impossible now because the market is super saturated. It’s very hard to make money if you’re doing quality work

- high gmat score non scholarship mba married to a former house flipper

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can he take classes only part time?

This. Let him take only 1 or 2 classes per semester and see how it goes. If he loves it- great. If he gives up like he did law school- at least it's not as much money.

[Anonymous]

Maybe he needs a hobby. Like gardening, volunteering at a local farm, or woodworking. I agree writing a book would be more ideal. He could find something he likes to volunteer to do. Friends of the library, start a regular poker night with friends and neighbors, take up a team sport. Maybe encourage him to make working out his 2nd job. I did that for a year while staying home, so I trained for some fun obstacle courses. I went back to work and gained so much weight. I miss my workouts.

[Anonymous]

I think part of the issue, OP is that you're in the position of saying NO to all these thigns, and not YES. so think together about what might be a good course forward.