Checking In

This has been the craziest two years of my life... ever. I'm single once again, living in a house shared with two others (with all my stuff mostly still packed and stored in the downstairs bedroom), two months into my new job. I'm having a bit of an "existential crisis" right now (labeled thusly by M), but I'm trying to be strong and happy and secure. In all honesty, I really miss H and our lovely home... :(

My finances, like my life, are kind of all over the place right now. I should be getting the security deposit back from the old place pretty soon. Once that comes in and my life has (hopefully) returned to normal, I'll do a status update on my debt.

Hope everyone is well! Thanks to all my followers for sticking around!

Vacation Time!

I feel totally rundown from training the new guy for the past week... I have a bit of a groggy throat, but I'm really, really hoping I'm not coming down with anything. I'm going to spend some time resting and reading today, but then have a ton of stuff on my to-do list... We have a wedding this weekend, and friends coming to stay with us. And I need to get myself mentally and physically prepared for the new job! Less than a week to go.

1) Finish The Hunger Games. Done! Try to find time to read something else too, maybe at the beach.
2) Get some tanning in at the beach.
3) Buy some new work clothes (unfortunately, everyone at my new job is very smartly dressed... I'll need at least one suit and one blouse. Looking for these at bargain prices!)
4) Clean the house.
5) Organize the closet/bookcase/bedroom.
6) Sell and/or return anything I can.
7) Do all the laundry.
8) Get eyebrows done. Done!
9) Get a pedicure. Done!
10) Get a haircut.

Thanks...

for the comments. I've decided to take down the post.

I did want to address one of the comments (fyi, I have them hidden). Someone said I'm "not getting any younger." I have a couple years to go before I hit 30. I'm not old. Even if this relationship doesn't go anywhere, I'll still be happy it existed. I don't consider any relationship I've been in "a waste of time." That would be a sad way to live your life.

New Job!

I went with option #1 from my previous post. Just to clarify, this is a job in the legal industry. The majority of my co-workers are lawyers. It's just not a job at a law firm.

I negotiated for the first time in regards to my salary. They really lowballed me initially, but I don't think it was intentional, I think it was them being scatterbrained.

I'll be getting:

• $6k more (which translates to approximately $280/mo)
• Commission
• Fully paid health benefits
• 401k with matching
• 4 weeks PTO

I'll be back in a skyscraper. I'll have to start dressing in suits again. I like the owners, but I'm not sure about some of my other co-workers.

To be totally honest? I'm scared and a little sad. I've bitched and moaned about my current job, but I have really lovely co-workers, and I'll miss them. Also, I knew my job like the back of my hand. That's all about to change.

As far as taking the bar... I haven't decided yet. I'll make up my mind in the next week.

But for right now - I'm breaking out the champagne. :)

I Love Options

First, can I just say... the new blogger layout makes me nervous? I'm sure I'll get used to it, but I'm about to make a life change, and there's only so much change I can handle! :P

On to the options. Option #1 - I interviewed for a job today. It's interesting, and may allow me to jump into the video game industry. I'm pretty sure it's in the bag, I just to have come back for shadowing and then to discuss pay. It has better benefits than what I have currently - just medical v. medical, dental, vision, 401k - and will likely pay between $5k-12k more, plus commissions. It's basically the same commute I have now.

Option #2 - 50 miles away. I have a friend vouching for me, so almost certain I'll get the interview. This would mean $20-30k more, plus yearly bonuses which are sizeable. Full benefits. Autonomy. Fun job. BUT... 50 miles. Broached this with H and he was very sad, but didn't point blank say "I don't want you to go." He recognized that I've been looking for a long time, without interviews (this conversation obviously took place before I got the interview for #1). Said he needed to "think about it."

Option #3 - Government interview. Very hands-on, think Law & Order. Pay will be either nothing or very small. But once I pass the bar, can likely immediately get hired as an attorney here.

So obviously, #1 is the only sure one currently on the table. Hopefully I can get these other interviews set up before I have to make my decision.

New Credit Score

My current credit score is... 652! According to Credit Karma, my credit rating is "fair."

3 years ago I had a score above 700. I'm slowly making my way toward that number again. No mistakes this time.

I can't believe it's already April

Time flies.

Life right now is consumed with trying to find a new job with a higher salary. I'm on the verge of wiping out my savings to take an in-person bar class, and I'm terrified to do it without more money coming in. I didn't take the bar in February, and am trying to decide whether or not I can go it on my own or if I should pay nearly $4k to be in a classroom every night. The former hasn't worked so well in the past.

Our lease is expiring in a month, and we're going month-to-month from there on out. H and I are "thinking things through" in regards to what we eventually want to do. What that basically means is that we're deciding if we're ready to take the next step (moving into a new place together not on a whim, which H considers a "total commitment"). I think we'll have everything figured out in a few months, but the insecure living situation is causing me a little bit of stress.

It's amazing that I've let the bar hang over my head for this long. That I didn't take the class and pass it right out of law school was one of the worst decisions of my life!