1 master's along with a doctorate degree.

~ yes.

probably not.

master's doesnt prevent me from working in other fields b/c I have a doctorate as well. That being said, I am somewhat limited to healthcare field...though I invest/own in other areas.

I would strongly disagree that life isn't about being happy.

I have a Master's in communication disorders. I work in the field I have my degree in. My bachelor's was no where near related to this field. While the out of state tuition was expensive, in my field I could have found a job in any part of the country BEFORE graduation. And I did just that with choosing to live in Phoenix and I had my job lined up 2 months before I graduated. Since I am "specialized" with this advanced degree there really isn't another line of work that I would be doing in another field.

I tend to think of a master's degree as a focusing force. Ideally, you get your undergraduate degree and go out and work and figure out what you like and what you don't like and who has the cool jobs that you really want. Then you get a master's degree that will help you move into that area by giving you a foot in the door.

In real life, I think people get a master's degree for one of the following reasons:

1. The reason above.
2. To move up at their current job (usually more for qualifications than for skills, but hopefully both happen).
3. Because they don't know what else to do.

The third reason is not great. You can argue that it's better than working a dead-end job, and maybe that's true, but probably only for broad degrees. Getting a specialized master's may not be worth the cost if you're not really thinking about a specific career.

ROFL

Life is all about WHATEVER makes you and your Family happy.....it can't just be about money

Agreed but there is a great sense of happiness that can come with financial security, especially if you are the main provider for the family. It's not that my wife and I make a lot either. And it's not that I need the money for a bunch of toys because we are very frugal, but knowing we can pay our bills and any extra expenses that comes up is a good feeling. Maybe not happiness but just security I suppose.

a couple, and a Doctorate. Need to borrow one?

Only if you plan on staying in the same field and company you are with.

Already having enough trouble finding jobs that hire HS diploma / GED holders with my awesome bachelors degree from a supposedly well-regarded college so no.

As a comedian once said wisely,

"Sure, money can't buy you happiness. But it can buy a jet ski. And, I've never seen anyone in my life driving one without a ****ing stupid happy ass grin stretching ear-to-ear across their face."

Anyone who says that money can't buy happiness has never done a regression model to isolate its impact as an independent variable.

MA in Lit.

I've taught college for the last seven years. At various points I strongly considered going back to get my Ph.D.

Last fall I finally realized that my reticence came from my dissatisfaction with the evolution of college from a place of higher education and the pursuit of knowledge to a business concerned primarily with churning students through and jacking up administrative pay.

Consequently, while I'm still teaching, I'm also attending school full time, getting my pre-reqs knocked out so I can start a program that will eventually lead to be becoming a Nuclear Pharmacist.

I still love teaching, but I hate all the other bullshit along with it. My plan is to adjunct somewhere for a course a term once as an addition to my daily job. A labor of love instead of working in a job whose purpose I feel is eroding.

I'm actually toying with the idea of doing an online law school. I've always been interested in law, and I figure its something I can study on the side (maybe 1-2 courses per semester). Many states would allow me to sit for the bar exam, and be licensed if I pass.

I'm not planning on getting it to work in law, but I think it would be helpful as I transition away from private practice and move toward an administrative role.

One of the professors who wrote me letters of rec refused to help if I was applying to an English or law program.