Keep it or not?

I agree with the trades. I'm a tradesman with no college and started working pretty much right out of high school.

But for those not inclined to enter a trade it leaves them spending money for a degree which doesn't always pay for itself anymore. Or stuck with debt that impacts their daily living for a quite a while.

 

Fair enough but this falls under the "making smart financial decisions" umbrella that people have to learn to do. Lots of people end up in college with no plan to get a degree that will make the investment worthwhile. Removing shop and similar trade related classes from high school has contributed greatly to the undervaluing of trade occupations as well.

 

I live in Miami… you can stay overnight here… anything for a fellow tW member.

 

You've already made your decision..

 

That's when I learned to drive my Dad's '89 Regular Cab Pickup 5 speed 4x4, that he ended up selling for like $2,500

 

Sell it. Cars develop problems just sitting around. You still have to maintain the tires, drain gas, change oil blah blah blah..Cars are going for top dollar right now and you never know you might need emergency cash. I did not read through the thread so if someone already said all this then it just confirms it's the right advice I'll send my consult bill in the mail.

 

Sell it ASAP. When the market tanks even further invest the money and take a nice vacation in the meantime.

 

Too many years of schools pushing (you have to go to college mentality) where some are not simply just not meant to be. Now, tradesmen/handymen are desperately needed and are getting pay that rivals a four year degree and without the debt plus, have four years of income over that college kids don't. My son 6 years straight out of high school is making over $27.00 an hour, full benefits, matching dollar for dollar 401k and now an assistant supervisor at the laminate flooring plant and we live in a relatively low cost of living area.

 

I’ve never seen this. It has mostly to do with the company than whether it’s a trade job or not. Most larger companies pay for degrees these days.

I didn’t pay for any of my degrees nor any of my certifications.

 

EU has 100% banned all ICE vehicle sales past 2035. Gas obviously won't be outlawed anytime soon, but with it clearly being a dying industry/market private companies will not invest into opening more refineries etc. In fact many refineries permanently shutdown when Covid hit. If people think gas is expensive now, wait another 5 years.... Stupid companies that are slow to adapt like Toyota are making shit 22 mpg plug in hybrids like the new Tundra and turbo inline 4's like the new Taco is speculated to have. The smarter ones like Ford are going all electric ASAP. The writing is on the wall.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...old-ban-on-new-combustion-engine-cars-by-2035

 

Most trade jobs also usually require manual laboring for 8 hours a day on your feet or knees constantly. The trades can certainly take a toll on your body over time if you don't wear knee pads (PPE) and eat properly + stretch, etc. While a college degree doesn't guarantee a job or anything, if you are able to land an office job you are usually sitting cozy for 8 hours in AC, not laboring digging a 18 inch trench 30 feet long to run some pipe in the 90 degree heat.

Source: electrical apprentice that realized the work was not for me for the next 20+ years and went to college and got a very well paying WFH job. Can't WFH in the trades

 

It’s interesting how these discussions always come up on TW. It’s a multi-varied debate that is often reduced to two categories degrees vs trades or white vs blue.

 

I've always looked at college in terms of degrees vs trades.

Because you can get degree, such as finance, or a trade such as a doctor/engineer/lawyer.

I know a lot of people with degrees that aren't working in their field.

But everyone I know that went to school for a trade became a doctor/engineer/lawyer.

 

I would never consider a doctor, an engineer or a lawyer a trade!... these are degree or doctorate... requiring University... A trade is something requiring hands on experience and an apprenticeship... mechanic, machinists, plumber, carpenter... people that get thier hands dirty and make things happen...

The other listed can go to the golf course for the day and the same amount of work gets done...

Edit: can not forget nurses... they may be degrees but they work like trades... hospitals don't run without them...

 

Those are interesting perspectives and why I highlighted that it's really a multi-varied analysis. I would agree that Doctors and Engineers are not trade jobs but are also jobs that require higher education, there are many degree programs that are nothing more than higher education that do not specifically lead to a career or job. My wife has a degree in English because she was interested in English but what specific careers are built around English outside of say Academia? IT and Cybersecurity are essentially trade jobs that require hands on experience but due to competitiveness in the market, degrees are becoming required. I think when people compare degrees they should look at the practical application of the degree from a career perspective as opposed to pure degree vs trade.

 

I agree in part. I just meant that a doctor/lawyer/engineer provide a specialized task...that can only be done by them. Much as a plumber, welder, electrician, or machinist. Therefore it's not a trade in the traditional sense. But can't just go to anyone to get those services.

Surgeons work with their hands, get them dirty, and make things happen. It is a skilled learned in the classroom, just as a welder or plumber. They intern and learn on the job as well. They have to be licensed and accredited.

Basically they walk out of college geared for a very specific profession....just as tradespeople are when they finish trade school.

 

Generous term there!

 

Honestly, if I sell, I will miss this forum. The tangents that this conversation has taken are deeply thought out along with just the right amount of smart-ass (not always from the same person) and politics relevant to our nation's current situation.

My thought process right now is that I was going to have a 3rd vehicle regardless of the scenario. I have spent some time lurking on ih8mud, bringatrailer, and japaneseclassics and with a shop full of diesel specific tools, a Toyota diesel is right up my ally. Selling the Tacoma just means it will be replaced in the near future with a Surf, Land Cruiser, or a Hilux.

Last year I missed out on a retired Japanese fire chief's Land Cruiser that had the 1PZ 5-cylinder, 4WD, AC, less than 30,000 kms...and a 5 speed. I have been on the hunt ever since but everything pales in comparison. In my head, 1 of the 3 vehicles in my driveway will be unreliable but fun to drive and own.

 

LOL, you can still hang. Half (or more) of the mods don't even drive Tacomas. Thanks for putting up with the off-topic tangents.

I have a '77 Celica I've been working on for over 10 years. Since we moved from Texas, I haven't had a great spot to work on it so progress has been minimal. Good luck in your search!

 

I haven't done anything related to my degree in years..lol.