Are you getting a CPA?

Sorry to hear that. You'll probably cancel your DTN now. Trickle down is a bitch.

Not atm. You need 150 credit hours to get your CPA and I was going stir crazy at school. I may get my MBA here once I get firmly established and then I could sit for the exam. I really don't want to get into public accounting, though. And thats what the CPA is all about.

I've done really well in the raise department the last few years. This year there were no raises given at all, but I got a good raise due to a promotion. I doubt there will be any raises next year, either. Overall my income has done very well the last few years, but inflation is taking back some of those gains.

At work, we've had one budget cut and are likely facing more. Federal research budgets have been pinched so that hurts our ability to get contracts, which comes on top of the state cuts and makes summer pay much harder to get. No layoffs, but cutting back on everthing else, except stress.

Retirement account is in the shitter, just like everyone elses. I'm still at least 15 years out, but my account balance isn't really where I want it to be at this stage of my life and going in the wrong direction.

All and all I'm probably doing better than most and have much less risk exposure, so I can't complain.

I know that, but a CPA and 5 years experience at a public firm will get you about any job in finance you want...within reason.

Yea, I know it. But so would say, this bank examiner job I interviewed for yesterday. Plus they train you and certify you in a billion different ways. I wonder if the classes I take for that job can apply towards hours for sitting for the CPA exam. :hmmm: I really hope I get the bank examiner job. It would be soooo cool.

That would be sweet. Plus you would always have a job because it isn't like the eleventy billion different regulations they have are going to go away with the loan market being ass.

Yea, lol. And its a state job in Montana with pay outside of the Montana pay band system. They strive to match the Federal pay scale, which is a big deal because of how low cost of living is in MT. But it also has the state's awesome benefit package.

The economy... Yeah I think it's hurt everyone. I'm working way more now than I ever have while going to school full time. Most of what kills me is my 100 mile commute every day, I really need to price an apartment in the same town as school. Probably would be a wash price wise.

I need to quit smoking, that would be about 100 dollars a month right there...

Yeah, the economy has affected me. Probably not in the same way it has affected you guys though. I just got done with school and am trying to start a career.

Within the last year, the company I work for has really REALLY shifted their focus from expanding into the future to increasing profitability in the now. They haven't had any layoffs, but they have successfully managed to cut their staff size to an appropriate level through attrition. Am I concerned about layoffs? Shit yeah. I don't know how bad the economy will get, but I can't imagine it will get too bad before they start shit-canning folks like me.

I have been trying to move up a bit within the company and positions just aren't there. I don't particularly want to stay in my current position, but I also don't think I want to be leaving the company soon. There isn't shit around here, and I have a job afterall.

In terms of my personal life, it most certainly has. Food is crazy expensive. I'm fat so that doesn't work out well for me. That is still a significant part of my budget. Gas has been pretty tough on me this year. I have a fuel efficient car and a short drive to work, but with the wedding happening earlier this year, I was going A LOT of different places, and it hurt. Bad.

I think the big thing is that I can't increase my income. I am stretched pretty thin now, and in order to really start pursuing my financial goals, I am going to need more income. My wife is a teacher, but has to work at a daycare until a position is open at the schools. It is pretty frustrating.

The expense was one of my main motivations for quitting. Well, that and I got tired of coughing up a pound of friggin goo every morning. But if you quit, you will instantly notice two things: (1) you will have much more money, and (2) your house will stay clean.

Did you quit cold turkey?

Yep. Woke up one morning, hacked up a bunch of goo, said "**** this," and that was it. I caved late the next day and fired one up, but by that time it tasted like crap and I only took three puffs before putting it out. Never smoked another one. That was three years ago. I still chew gum like a madman, but just regular gum.

If you're ready to quit, you can do it. But only you can make that determination.

Congrats Fraz. That's really a big deal.

Well said and nice job. Exactly what I did 16 years ago.