I know I’ve been missing-in-action for a while now. Thanks, C, for checking in on me. This job has me so exhausted and takes up so much of my life, that don’t have much time for myself and the very few hobbies that I used to have anymore. And not surprisingly, so little has changed that this post will be very, very similar to my last one. Ugh!
The Job
Things are about the same at the job. I was able to get another portion of work done this week, which always makes me feel stressful and crunched. I’d JUST delivered this work, when, minutes later, I was asked about when I was going to have the next thing done that they were already waiting on. I can already see that this is likely going to be a pattern. Sigh.
I’ve been at the new job for 2 months now. It still feels like an eternity since I started. And I’m still surprised that I’ve lasted this long. I’m scraping by at work, which isn’t surprising now that my career field has changed so much that it’s no longer a good fit for me anymore. There has been some ongoing turnover since I arrived because of people getting let go for poor performance.
The poor performance terminations were brought up in a division-wide meeting. We were told not to worry about getting let go without warning, because they always give warnings before letting people go. Yes, seriously. At least now I know that I’ll have the benefit of a brief notice period if/when I get the axe. Otherwise, I’m just surviving week by week and saving what I can. Yeah, the picture below, is my life right now.
401(k)
I am continuing to contribute to my 401k, even though it continues to take a bite out of my paycheck. I’m not currently contributing to my Roth and still planning to contribute money to it later in the year or I’ll make 2019 contributions before tax day in 2020. That’s the plan anyway.
Health Insurance
My insurance coverage has started! Finally! One less thing to worry about. Going without health insurance for any length of time in your 40s is anxiety-producing. I ended up going with the HDHP, but there is no HSA offered through this one. Not all HDHPs qualify to offer HSAs, and this one does not, unfortunately. The HDHP allows for the flexibility of the PPO but the low premiums of the HMO at the expense of a high deductible.
Student Loan Debt
Not much to say about it at the moment. My monthly minimum payment of $332 is being processed. My balance will soon be $15,390.
“Life Fund” Savings
I’m going to stockpile cash right now because of the uncertainty I’m feeling around employment. The majority of my paycheck this week went to cash savings, which brings my Life Fund total to $6,500. I’m building it up week by week. In the coming months, if I need it because I get fired or I finally have enough and run away screaming from this job, I’ll have this cash available. If things somehow improve, I can toss it at the debt down the road.
.
“Debtor’s prison is real, and opportunity cost is a bitch.” (DDSW Archives)
Double Debt Single Woman 
I’m so sorry to hear things continue to be so very stressful. Is there anything on the horizon to which you can look? Like, after your debt is paid off, would you be in a position to leave this job? Are you still speaking with the career coach?
Sending out good energy.
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Yes! I’m planning to take a vacation sometime next year. I’ll also be leaving this job sometime next year if I don’t get fired or quit first. So I have that to look forward to! I haven’t seen a career coach yet, in part because I haven’t had the time, but I need to carve out time from somewhere. Thanks for the good energy! It is needed.
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I’m sorry things aren’t better 😦 But I’m glad that you’re still there and still getting paid. It’s great to have the debt low enough, and have the minimum payment low enough, that you can not really worry about it. Stockpiling cash is great, and you have a nice chunk of it now — enough for at least a couple of months, I’d think. Know we’re all with you in spirit!
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Thanks, C! Yeah, doing that last refinance was a good thing.
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Ugh, I’m so sorry the job is so stressful. 😦 It definitely sounds like this job and career is no longer a good fit for you. Is it a good fit for anyone?! Doesn’t sound like it, with people being let go of left and right.
On the bright side, you now have health insurance again, you’re saving for retirement and your life fund is coming along very nicely! Already 6.5k (in addition to your emergency fund)! And like C says, your debt and the minimum payment are very low at this point, yey!
How much would you like to have saved in your life fund in order to quit your job and take 6 months or so off to go back to school and prepare for a career change, like you’ve talked about before?
Rooting for you!
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Thanks, Maria. Yes, I’ve really been thinking about that! I’d love to save enough cash to take time off and study to be able to transition careers. I don’t know the exact dollar amount yet, but it is more than I have on hand, unfortunately. LoL. That’s part of what I need to figure out, perhaps with a career coach. I have an idea of a couple of career paths, but I don’t want to miss something that might be just as good.
I’m going to put together a career transition plan for my top 3 new career options, including what it would cost in time and money to make it happen along with the ROI (expected salary, etc.) I’ll be posting more about this when I have time and energy.
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I’m sorry that work sucks. I hope that with a bit more holding on you’ll be able to get yourself into a financial position where you feel comfortable making the next leap – although I continue to be impressed by how far you’ve come already!
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Thank you. I hope so too!
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You are amazing. So glad you know you have options and are keeping the debt destruction train moving. Keep praying. Make sure you make time for one of your hobbies (that can be sleep) 😉 you need some fun
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Yes, sleep counts as a hobby these days!
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Good grief, it’s been nearly a month. I feel bad I didn’t notice — things are chaotic in Mess Town.
Like everyone else, I’m sorry work continues so stressful and miserable for you. But they’re also right that you are amazing! You’ve made such incredible progress with your debt, and to have $6k+ saved up already — ! You rock, DD. No matter how much you feel pushed and unappreciated and inadequate at work, I hope you can let yourself see (and feel) that what you’ve accomplished is impressive as hell.
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Thank you.
Lol. At first I thought you were referring to my life as Mess Town. And I was agreeing. 😄
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So sorry to hear that work isn’t getting any better. Glad to hear from you though! I was starting to worry a bit. My reduction plan isn’t going as smoothly as I would like either. I still need to get reckless spending under control. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that work continues to be on your side! Take care of yourself though!
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Yeah, I understand. It’s hard not to spend on ‘conveniences’ when I’m feeling drained. Hang in there!
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Sorry about the work situation. I was hoping for some good news after the late update, but I’m glad you still gave us an update. I hope things take a turn for the better. I’m rooting for you!
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Thank you!
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So I just spent the past week reading your entire journey. I am super impressed! Great job attacking so much debt. I hope the work situation sorts itself out soon.
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I’m impressed that you read through this blog in a week! 🙂
Thank you.
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girl! i read the whole thing today! you are impressive and I am definitely subbing! cant wait to see you hit zero on the loans and then start hitting those savings/investments! #inspirational!!
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Welcome! Thank you for reading. I’m looking forward to hitting zero too! 🙂 It’ll happen one of these days.
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It’s great to so you are still focused and not finished!😃-Chris Hogan
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Thank you. I have to admit that things are challenging for me right now. But, yes I’m still in the rodeo! 🙂
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I just noticed my typo… darn spell check😠. I’m glad you understood what I was saying. Hang in there! I will pray things get better 🙏🏾.
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