Work Update
I had my annual review meeting with Manager, who apparently, and miraculously, has no plans to fire me, despite what I perceive to be recent decreased performance. I’m getting a small cost of living salary increase of 1.7% and my annual bonus! I’ll be getting my bonus soon. I was really nervous going into the meeting as I didn’t know what to expect or if I’d have a job coming out of it, but was relieved that it went as well as it did. I have improvements to make, but I still have a job.
In fact, I’ve been assigned two new projects. Thankfully, these projects will be in line with the old workstyle, so I expect I’ll feel comfortable running them. I’m planning to stay where I am for the immediate future. It won’t be easy at all, but if I can somehow grind it out here for one more year and pay off / down this debt, a lot more avenues will open up to me starting next year. Newish Leader (my manager’s manager) has been more hands-off lately, and this trend should continue. I plan to stay under Newish Leader’s radar as much as possible.
I just need to be able to survive for one more year before I can escape for good.
Debt Update
Given that my work situation no longer appears to be in immediate peril, I’m continuing to make payments toward my debt. I just made a $1043.15 payment, which brings my balance to $31,700. I’m close to being out of the thirties!!
The Tax Man Cometh
Is anyone else feeling taxed? I am, but in entirely different ways and for entirely different reasons. LoL.
I should be getting a refund this year, as usual. I know it’s not good to get a refund (interest-free loan to the government, etc.), but for so long as I’m in debt, I need the extra tax withholding to act as a forced savings account. I’m curious to know what the Tax Scam Bill passed last year will do to my refund. My tax bracket did not change, so I expect little will be different for me. If my refund is significantly reduced, I’ll be pretty pissed, though.
Even still, with no mortgage, kids, etc., I feel I pay too much in Federal and State/Local taxes. I can’t imagine what people who make a lot of money have to pay each year. Given the current tax laws, probably less than me. Sigh.
This is me to the Tax Man:
Anyway, I’m looking forward to getting my refund. I’ll be filing my taxes soon, once I get one or two more tax docs in the mail. Hopefully, the people at the IRS aren’t too swamped after the shutdown.
Hopefully, the government does not shut down again in a couple of weeks. (Ugh. I can’t believe how people’s livelihoods are being held hostage over political fights in this country.)
I expect my super basic tax forms are processed automatically, but who knows…
Will I get my refund any time soon?
We’ll see…
.
“Debtor’s prison is real, and opportunity cost is a bitch.” (DDSW Archives)
Double Debt Single Woman 
I’m sooooooooooooo happy for your job review! I’ve been praying for you! This will be the year to kill the debt beast!
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Thank you, Cathy! Your prayers were working overtime. 🙂
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This is AWESOME news! I second Cathy, your job situation has been in my prayers. Keep killin’ that debt, you motivate me!
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Thanks, Drew! Your and Cathy’s prayers worked. 🙂
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So good about the job review. Perhaps you are seeing yourself in an unkind light as far as work goes. Project that self-confidence! Be confident. It seems you are doing better than you think you are! Push hard this year and sink that debt for good!
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Thanks, Isabella! 🙂
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Amazing news! You get to keep your high paying job, you’ll be working on projects with the old work style that you prefer, Newish Leader will probably be more hands off from now on, and you’re getting your bonus and tax return soon!
I understand that your job situation is still far from ideal, but as you say, this won’t be forever.
Are you planning to take more courses this year that will help you transition to your next career (when the time eventually comes for that), or are you putting that on hold for now?
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Yes, I’m planning to take courses this year for the new career area I want to explore. I’m taking a ‘low’ cost self-paced, online class now as a basic introductory course. It’s going well so far in terms of learning the basics. The challenge is that it also involves computer work, so I’m having to spend more hours in front of a computer after a long day of work in front of a computer. Oh, my eyes.
When I start taking ‘real’ classes, those will cost quite a bit more and will impact my debt payoff. Will need to work that out soon.
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Job review sounds great. Hoping for a painless year until you can make your escape. I’ve done some preliminary tax stuff and it looks like my refund will be smaller. The tax change seems to just be giving me my own money back a bit earlier. Don’t get me started on our present government situation.
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Ha! Sounds like we’d have a lot to talk about re: government chaos these days (years?).
Thanks, Kim. 🙂
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Congratulations on the review! So glad you are getting a bonus and any pay raise is better than none.
Glad to see you are still planning to test the waters for career changes. I truly hope you find a space in the world of work that excites you.
I’m still in favor of battening down the hatches, a least a little. I don’t think you’ll regret a larger emergency fund.
This has been a truly trying two weeks at my work. Upper management, C suite level folks got a bit too optimistic strong our budget goals. Financially we’re in great shape, but they care more about meeting this budget goal than taking care of our staff and patients. I’m padding my emergency fund, not because I worry about getting laid off, but I want to be prepared in the event I decide to say “no more.”
Praying for you. So glad the future horizon looks brighter.
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Thanks, AW. I’d love to have a bigger emergency fund. I have too many goals and not enough money.
If I get let go from this job, chances are that I’ll get some severance and unemployment, but yeah I share the concern about wanting more liquid savings.
After I’m out of debt, I want to immediately beef up my emergency fund to a solid year of living expenses.
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You can do it!
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I love your blog, first of all.
Congratulations on the raise and bonus! I’m glad that worked out.
As for taxes, I’m nervous about how the tax overhaul will affect us this year. Still waiting on one W-2 so that we can see whether we’re going to have to send a check to the government.
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Thanks. It seems there may be many surprises for us at tax time.
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I’m so excited for your journey! Great news about the job btw. Also wonderful news about your bonus and tax refund.
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That’s great — I’m so happy the review went well. I still think you should talk to your manager at some point soonish about how they could help you improve (ie, classes they would pay for!) but I’m super glad you feel that you’ll be ok for a while in this job and can, please Jesus, get the rest of the debt paid off while you’re there. So happy for you!
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Great news! Time for a small sigh of relief for new life for a year!
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I’m so glad you kept your job! That must be such a relief!
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It is indeed. While it lasts anyway. The ice remains thin, but for so long as it holds, I skate.
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