Okay, with school starting in 3 weeks, I really need to make a decision on this. I’m going to try to share it all here, as maybe it will help me mull over my options and make the right decision.

I am having a hard time deciding if I want to go back to school, or concentrate on my freelance writing as a career. I’ve been freelancing since March 2008, not very seriously…just to make enough money to cover gas, groceries, and help with bills. It was originally a work at home, part-time gig so that I could finish school without having to worry about finding a job, be scheduled awful hours, etc. Since graduating with my Associate’s degree in May, I’ve been really focusing on earning more money in order to have some saved up for when I go back to school in August. I believe I will have much less time to write then, with going to school full time, doing student teaching, and having a crap ton of homework. I’ve come to really like working at home, and have begun realizing the earning potential…as much as (or more than) I could make as a teacher.

So, I’m trying to weigh the pro’s and con’s of going back to school for my Bachelor’s degree in Education and becoming a teacher versus continuing freelance writing and building up my clientele to a full time income.

Going back to school
Pro’s
-Getting to work with children, something I have always wanted to do
-Student loan money that could help us pay bills while I wasn’t writing
-Having the degree would give me two options for a career (writing or teaching), and I’d always have a backup plan
-Going back next month allows me to enter straight into the Education program. If I don’t go back Fall semester, I’ll have to take 4 classes when I do decide to go back that I was exempt from due to being on a previous course catalog…different class requirements.

Con’s
-Full time, for the next 2 years, equals big commitment
-Student loan money isn’t alot…so probably going to be broke for two years unless James lands a super good job
-Having to put off the thought of having children at least another 2 years
-Thought of going back, getting my degree, and THEN deciding I’d rather write…Student loans and 2 years basically wasted?

Freelance Writing
Pro’s
-Work at home, basically on my own schedule
-Could make the same or more as if I was teaching
-Getting paid to write, another thing I love to do

Con’s
-The thought of not having a back up plan (couldn’t teach without the degree, so writing would be the only option)
-Not going back, and then regretting it later or becoming burned out on writing and hating it

There are also factors like:

-I know I could continue writing and just go back to school later if I wanted. But then, there’s the whole taking 4 extra classes that I wouldn’t have to take now, and the idea that I may never find the time/cannot afford to go back if I go own with my life, have kids, etc.
-With my Associate’s degree, I can teach and work in private preschools and daycares. I like this idea, as I really like working with 3-5 year old. That way, I could work with children AND write, or work with children if I ever got burned out with writing or missed the opportunity to work with kids.

This is a lot of think about…seems like even more now that I’ve written about 600 words about it! If you’ve read this far, I appreciate it.

Nothing much to blog about this past week, other than the insane amount of writing I have gotten done. This week will basically be a repeat of the same. It will all be worth it, as James and I will have plenty of money on hand for vacation next week. I look forward to not writing a word for a client in the 5 days we are at the beach. I have debated on not even taking my laptop, but I will need to check email and we occasionally like to look up area restaurants and things when we are out of town. Therefore, it will have to go with us.

This weekend was quite fun, with the exception to the scary event that we saw. Saturday, James, my sister, and I went to a nearby outlet mall for me to return/exchange some clothing. On the way down, we witnessed a wreck. A minivan pulled out in front of a Lancer (exactly like James’, except different color) which had the driver slamming on the brakes and sliding into the other lane, which had oncoming traffic in it. He then swerved back over into the correct lane, to the side of the road and slammed into the curb. We expected him to roll over, but the car just slid down the curb for a few feet, spun back into the road, and came to a stop facing the curb. The driver was okay, but understandably shaken up by the event. The minivan drove off, but someone managed to get the tag number and county, so hopefully the police can get the people who caused the wreck.

We manged to make it on into the outlet mall so I could return the things I needed to. The first was a pair of swimming trunks that were too big for James. They didn’t have his size, so we just returned them. Then we went to Old Navy, and I exchanged a $6 shirt for a “2 for $15″ deal. Since my sister has been looking for an extra swimsuit to take to the beach, we stopped by Wal-Mart and K-Mart as well. While at K-Mart, I finally found Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. This is the only book in the series I don’t own, and I was hoping to find and read it in time for the movie. Now, the plan is to read it next week and while on vacation, then see the movie when we get back.

After the shopping, we came home for a couple hours. James’ friend and his wife came over and we went to Chili’s to eat. We rarely eat at Chili’s…it’s just not a favorite of mine. However, last night’s dinner was awesome! I had the Chicken Bacon Ranch (or was it Bacon Ranch Chicken?) Quesdillas, and they were delicious! After dinner, we went to the movies and watched The Proposal. Loved it!! It was one of the best movies I’ve seen lately…and no, not just because of Ryan Reynolds!

Today has been quite a lazy day. James and I slept in since we were up until almost 3am. I managed to get a bit of work done, and we’ve just been relaxing. James cooked some Iowa Steak Soup, and we watched Role Models…another very funny movie!

I was about to write a few articles before bed, but the site I was submitting to is down for maintenance, so I’ll just blog instead! Today has been a fairly productive day for me. I didn’t do much upfront pay work, but I did get some work done on personal projects. This afternoon, James and I also went for a swim at my nanny’s pool. I haven’t been in a few days, and the water was refreshing.

It also hit me today how much I want to go on a vacation before school starts in August. James and I haven’t planned one this year because we were going to work on paying off bills and such, but I really want to get away for at least a few days before my life gets very hectic. We are going to Charlotte, NC for a concert at the end of July, and I’m going to try to convince James to stay more than one night. I know there are plenty of things to occupy us in Charlotte, but it would be nice just to relax by a hotel pool or in an in-room jacuzzi. It may be a mini-vaca, but it beats staying at home!