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Ok and I understand that, but what are people supposed to do? I know I couldn't drop 50 grand to learn how to fly.
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People would be amazed at what hard work, frugal living, and delayed gratification can do to build a bank roll to pay for things they really, really want. Unfortunately we are a society that teaches instant gratification, buy now - pay later, and living life in debt are all good things. I happen to disagree.
I know.....I'm weird.
edited to add: adreamer describes exactly how I did it. Worked a full time job, flew weekends and evenings, cut way back on my other expenses, put every extra penny into flying, and walked away at the end of training not owing a red cent to anyone. Took me longer, but it sure beats 10 years of loan payments. Maybe someone else would split the difference, for example get through commercial, multi while working full time, then taking a (very small) loan to crank through the CFI courses. There are lots of ways to skin the cat (sorry Kristie!) without "owing your soul to the Company Store" (old, old song reference).
Mixed metaphors aside, my personal opinion is that an extra year or two to reach my goals is worth not living on a financial knife edge.