Today is my birthday. And on my birthday, I like to take some time to reflect not only on the past year but also on the path (progression, track, whatever) my life has taken. I think a little introspection is good for the soul and it’s an exercise I highly recommend.
For my self-reflective exercise this year, I chose to focus on some of the good financial decisions I’ve made over the years that have enabled me to leave full-time employment, conquer my fear of self-employment (well, sort of conquer. I’ve at least showed up to the battle), and get to a place where, although my income is pretty low, my happiness quotient is higher than it’s been in a long, long time.
Worked crappy jobs
I think it’s character building to work a crappy job or two. And I’ve certainly had my share, particularly in college when I worked a video store (yes, I’m old enough to have actually held a job in a video store), a daycare, an afterschool program and one painful, horrible month over one summer at a gadgets store in the mall. Let’s not forget the $100 paycheck job I had in high school, either. Although the pay was low, I learned so much and developed so many soft skills (showing up on time, getting along with co-workers, customer service, how to quit politely, stuff like that) that have been so valuable to me in my adult life.
Those crappy jobs also taught me the value of working hard to earn money and the joy I felt when I got those paychecks, knowing that I earned them, made me feel pretty damn accomplished.
Learned to budget
While on the surface, it looks like I learned how to live on a budget in college and grad school, the credit card debt I accumulated tells another story. However, in my post-graduate school years (okay, fine. Post-20s if we’re going to be really specific), I took it upon myself to really learn how to budget. Without the help of credit cards when the cash from my paycheck couldn’t cover what I wanted. When I learned to budget, I actually took the money that I earned, along with my husband’s income, and made our expenses match that money. With some leftover, too!
Living on a budget has made me more comfortable, financially, than I’ve ever been.
Paid of my credit card debt
Being consumer debt free is the best thing I’ve ever done for my finances. Without a doubt. I don’t think I even need to explain why.
Went to graduate school
When I was on the verge of graduating college, I genuinely didn’t know what I wanted to do or where I wanted to do it. So I made a decision that I would apply to grad school, but only one program. I told myself that if I got in, with a scholarship and a job, I would go. And I did. With both criteria I wanted. So I went. And I am incredibly glad that I did. Although I didn’t necessarily work in the field I have my Master’s in (Urban Affairs and Public Policy. I know, I know shit! Surprising, right?), the skills that I learned not only made me a more useful employee in a number of my post-graduate jobs (including founding and running Bloggers Helping Bloggers) but I was also able to command a higher salary. And my MA is the reason I have my part-time teaching job.
Graduating with no student loan debt, combined with the extra earnings post-school, has had a significant impact on my overall financial situation.
This post was originally intended to discuss my money regrets. I do have some of those, like getting into credit card debt in the first place, taking a government job over a job at consulting firm upon graduation from grad school (I’ve been debating this as a post. What do you all think?), not studying abroad in either graduate school or undergraduate, and buying a house way too quickly after getting married. I’m sure there’s a few more that my old age is making me forget.
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that all of those decisions shaped the person I am now. And if that’s the case, are they really regrets? I think that’s up for debate. For now, though, we can focus on all the good choices I’ve made.
Because it’s my birthday and I say so.
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Happy Birthday Jana! I hope you have a great day and it already seems you have done a good amount of reflection!
Grayson @ Debt RoundUp recently posted…What Would You Do? – Buying a Home
Thanks, Grayson!
Happy birthday! Because it’s my birthday and I say so always wins. I like to reflect on my bday. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Did we all work at that daycare in college?
SMD @ Life According to Steph recently posted…Pearls of Wisdom from June Babies
I don’t remember if you and Jody worked there, and I think it was after Ray and Kim left. I know I worked there for a bit with Behney.
Happy birthday! It’s my birthday too and I HATE sharing my birthday with others, but I’ll allow it this time :). And absolutely focus on the good stuff — June 5th is the best day of the year!
Erin @ Red Debted Stepchild recently posted…IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!
I LOVE other June babies! And those who are also June 5th babies are the best 🙂 After all, we get to share it with Mark Wahlberg (I think you might be too young to remember him as Marky Mark but that’s how he will always remain in my mind)!
Happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day and get some time to treat yourself. I would be interested in hearing about your thoughts with taking a government job over a corporate one, and why that might not have been the best choice for you. Most people I know have praised government jobs because of their benefits (even if salary is lower) and security. It’d be interesting to hear the other side of the conversation.
Kyle @ Debt Free Diaries recently posted…Eating Healthy on $40 Per Week
Thanks, Kyle. I’ll definitely work on that post. I should warn you that I’ve had a very weird career.
I agree that having a graduate degree is very helpful. You might not work in the same field as your degree but the process itself is beneficial. I will caveat that by saying this only applies if the degree is freeor you pay very little money out of pocket.
I don’t think a degree needs to be free or have little out of pocket cost to be valuable. That said, if you are going to pay out of pocket, you need to make sure of two things: 1) you’re passionate about the field you’re studying and will work in it when you are done with school and 2) it will help you, long term, in your career.
My husband paid out of pocket for his first 18 months of grad school and neither one of us regrets a penny he spent.
Happy Birthday! I definitely think crappy jobs are good for you. I had my share too, door to door salesman, ceramic sprayer, camp handyman, and mail clerk. I learned how to budget out of necessity in college. Probably the best thing I ever did!
krantcents recently posted…Negotiation Starts When You Ask a Question!
Happy birthday! I like how you switched it from the money regrets to some cool stuff you’ve done. Seems like the thing to do on your birthday…
Pat recently posted…Will Social Security Be There? Yes and No
Happy Birthday! I have lots of June b-days in my family. My Nephew was the 3rd, my BIL the 4th and bf on the 7th. I guess I gravitate to June babies (or they gravitate to me). I like hearing all the positives. Save the regrets for a non-bday post.
KK @ Student Debt Survivor recently posted…$59 mattresses: Being Satisfied With What You Have
Happy Birthday Jana! It’s always good to look back and reflect on the decisions you’ve made to help shape future decisions. My reflections involved a lot of what NOT to do! ha ha!
Budget and the Beach recently posted…4 Frugal Father’s Day Gifts to Last a Lifetime