<prompt> Human: Hey, Im planning on starting college full time this year and have been saving for awhile. I have enough for the first year or two no problem, and possibly enough for the entire time if I live very frugal and get a part-time job. Should I do that? Or not bother with rice and beans for 5 years and consider a student loan if it comes down to it? Are they really that bad?  <response>: Live frugal. Just read around here for a while and youll find out how restricting they can be to your lifestyle. You cant do whatever you want when you graduate because you have, on average, 25k worth of debt to pay off. Live frugally for a few years because youre probably going to either way. You may as well do it on your terms. 