If the coral glow is still off-limits, maybe compromise and prove out some reliable breeder's 100% hets? You'd have to have at least one het for the coral glow to get visuals anyway (it's recessive, right?), and an unlucky clutch could set you back a year, but it'd be less money spent on one lump sum.

I'm not a mom, but I did just become completely financially independent fairly recently (in my 20s), and if I could give advice to a younger me it'd be to start saving at your age. If you have college totally covered-and I mean a full ride or the money to cover what the scholarships don't, and if you have consistent savings, such as putting $100 into a savings account each month, then I could support the coral glow decision. Student loans are awful, and in today's shaky economy jobs aren't guaranteed. I got lucky with a decent job 2 years out of college, but I'm still struggling with paying off student loans on top of my other bills- and this is after working full time through school. You should come up with a back-up plan if the very worst happens; having to leave school (for whatever reason), sudden medical costs (for you and your snakes), a buffer if you lose or can't find a job. While its nice to imagine the money you'd get for a 7-egg clutch of all coral glows, you should spend and save your money as if you expect all slugs and an R.I. for your breeder. (Though I'm sure you're a great keeper and breeder; I'm just coming up with unfortunate examples.)

So if you want to skip all the nagging, negative nelly stuff: compromise with your mom and try something smaller and don't blow all your money in one go. But for the record, I hope you can do all that and get your glow, and I will live vicariously through you when you do.

Best of luck!