Do you think this older guy could be genuinely interested in me?

Give the guy some credit. HE obviously thinks you have enough to offer!

The biggest problem is not your age, but your belief that you don't have enough to offer.

It sounds like you have a lot on the ball.

Your maturity is definitely much more important than your supposed lack of independence.

Explore, enjoy!

Don't look at it as if you are lacking anything. You are a smart, young woman going somewhere with your life. If you are interested in him go for it but understand that since there is that eight year gap he might have more life experience then you and sometimes you might think your just as mature but, you might not be but that doesn't mean your lacking. You might be jobless and live with your parents, but you have good marks and you are going to school and sooner or later you will have a job and be doing what you want to do with your life. I guess yes maturity can make up for lack of independence but i dont think its a big deal, if he already knows this and he wants to be with you, i dont think he really cares. of anything i think he understands. I'm a woman so i'll try to answer this the best i can, it wont be a man answer. There are many things that factor in relationships and none of them are the same. If an older man does show interest then he is interested. He is usually more mature and stable then a man your own age and there is nothing wrong with being with an older man, you do have many things to offer even if you think you are "lacking" which you aren't. If you want to be with him and he wants to be with you then go for it. life is to short to wait. but keep an open mind there is that age gap so it might not go the way you want it, but that doesn't mean it wont.

Hopefully that helps!!

Yes, i do think he could be interested, and, it doesn't sound like he was asking what you could bring into the relationship, he's probably impressed by your getting your life together. And yes, he's probably impressed by your maturity in that you wont always settle for things being the way they are with you. Stay friends i guess, see what happens.

you are overthinking this way too much.

guys generally dont concern themselves with a woman's earning power.

its usually almost always the other way around. an older woman who is successful in life would not want to be with a college guy who can barely afford a meal at taco bell.

but since you are a woman and he is a man........you have nothing to worry about.

he already said he is interested so what are you complaining/lamenting about? give it a go and bring some mace just in case.

Old balls in the mind are as bad as old balls in the hand!