How can I convince my sister to stop wasting our mom's money on her college?

Question

My sister is now starting her 5th year at a community college. She has never picked a major. She just takes several different classes every semester. At this rate she's going to run out of classes to take in a few years. My mom just keeps paying her tuition. How can I convince them this has to stop?

Answer 1

Give it up. The best you can hope for is that the sister will finally pick a major. This is your mother's decision and not likely to change.
My mother constantly tells me that she feels sorry for her Grandson who plead guilty to a BUNCH of felonies. He is on probation and order to make restitution, but as far as I know, he has not paid a penny. I suspect he will go to jail. My mother lives on Social Security and a tiny pension, but manages to save money. I fear she will give this scumbag a bunch of money. It is her money and I wish she would spend it on herself, but she won't. No amount of arguing has ever made any difference.

Answer 2

I think college should be for you to become a more well-rounded, thinking individual. The emphasis as you work toward your degree should be your passion. Yes, you no doubt have the brains to get a degree for a higher-paying job, but what a life. Just working and not loving what you are doing. How sad! Your mom is no doubt concerned for your future. You'll have to convince her that you don't mind making less money. Like other posters have mentioned, don't forget to take economics classes or maybe marketing. Those fields are very important to fashion. Also, watch out for trade schools that have you just focus on one thing. Check out the school and their degree program carefully. You don't want a useless degree that those in the fashion industry will just laugh at.

Answer 3

First off, it's not your money so don't worry about it. If it was YOUR money then you'll have a say on HOW youwould spend it or not. If your mom is fine with paying for your sister's tuition no matter how long she's been attending college, then leave it alone. Obviously, money isnt a factor to your mother but the well being of your sister's education. If you want to help out your mother then why not give her some money or help your sister in deciding her major.

Answer 4

You can't. I don't know if this is your little sister or not.
Some people are just "professional students". Does your sister have a job?
If this is your big sister, the situation changes, because the money your mother is wasting on your sister could be used by you.
I know of someone's daughter who's ex-boyfriend is in his third year of junior college. Same scenario.
Maybe you could persuade your sister to take an "aptitude test", or talk to a career counselor at her college.
Maybe your sister should focus on a fulltime job, instead of college. However, if Mom is paying the bill, then why should she stop taking classes?
Good luck!

Answer 5

As much as would like to tell you that what you are doing is kind and in the best interest of your parents financial security, there isn't much you can and shoul do. Most people have a hard time figuring out what direction they want to head in during college. In the case of your sister, perhaps you should let her know that there's a limit on the number of years you can kick around in college, and that as much as we like to think they would sit down and take all the free money she's throwing at them, one day she'll receive a letter in the mail telling her she's got a serious deadline.
I would try to sit down and tell your parents that she has no najor.minor under her belt, and that hey need to encourage her to find a field where she will be happy working, and focus her attention towards a degree to get her in that field.

At the same time before you interfere...make sure that what you are doing is really worth it, if it doesn't really bother your parents, then maybe you shouldn't let it bother you..i.e jelousy bug...goodluck

Answer 6

Several classes every semester is actually a pretty full load. Sometimes it takes awhile to figure out what you want to major in and taking a variety of classes is a good way to "try out" various career options. Spending time in an academic environment, around people who are learning and trying to better themselves and develop a career is never a waste of time or money. When I was in undergrad school, I spent a lot of time playing around, but I never let my grades slip. It took me over 2 years to decide upon a major, and after I did, I went on to graduate with a 3.5 gpa. Actually the only reason my parents sent me to college was to "catch a man" to marry, preferably a med student. Ha ha. I did date one, once, who turned out to be a total pervert, and then my mother was upset when I broke up with him. I told her, "Please, just don't even ask!" Just think, your sister could be NOT going to school and marry some jerk who's into drugs or whatever, and be stuck in a miserable relationship with no skills to break free. or end up with a low-skill boring clerical job with no transferable skills. Leave her, and your mother's money, alone. Better yet, why don't YOU enroll in community college? Who knows, you may find yourself too busy to be trying to control other people's lives.