What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up

For 2013, I'm going to get more active in a career path.  I'll admit it.  I haven't been that adamant about finding what it is I want to be when I grow up.  Even in college, I didn't have a clue.  I took useless classes that made me take the Meyers Briggs Type Indicator test, the Holland's Social Code, and I spent countless hours in the Career Development Center talking with advisors and looking through their library.  Then I thought I wanted to get into social media and marketing... but really, it isn't what suits my fancy.  I actually like having an office job not in advertising or marketing.

I have a great opportunity where I work.  It is a newly created position.  I'm the first.  Right now, I'm managing social media sites, assisting in sales and event planning, putting together flyers and going to bridal shows, managing a website, and helping create new menus and handbills.  I've even written radio advertisements and press releases.  However, there is no job description, so it can get overwhelming at times since we don't technically know what my duties are.  It's mostly administrative work, which is fine.  I'm grateful that I have a job, I love my coworkers, and I can say I enjoy what I'm doing.  What's even more great is that I have control over what this position really entails.  I could take my career in any direction I want.  But that's the question... what do I need to be doing?  What is it that I'm called to do?

I've debated about going back to college to pursue a Master's - but I'm not even sure what I want to do. I get a little jealous sometimes because I see people my age or younger than me who are moving forward in their careers.  I recently spoke to my family this past weekend.  Everyone said the same thing:  I'm holding myself back.

How am I holding myself back and why?
What am I holding back from?
What more could I be doing?
What do I need to be doing?
What do I even want to do?

I have no idea.  I wish someone could point me in the right direction.  I'm clueless.  I know what I want in regards to a job - but I don't know what fit.  I know I want to have benefits.  I know I want to have a salary job.  I work 20 hours one week and 60 hours the next.  I like that flexibility and know I'll still be able to pay my bills.  Plus, I don't like having to stop in the middle of something to prevent going into overtime.  I hate sales and really don't like commission jobs.  I know right now I need some supervision, just to make sure I'm on the right track.  I like working in groups.  I don't mind having to work my way up from the bottom.  I like knowing that there could be a promotion or a raise for my hard efforts.

So, I'm really interested in hearing how people came to the conclusion of what they were going to do.  When did you realize what you wanted to do?  How did you choose it?  How did you know that it would make you happy?  When you first entered the workforce after graduating, how did you know where to look?

Why Did My Credit Score Drop?

I have been doing very well with my budget.  My bills are being paid on time with a little extra.  Our debt is gradually dropping.  I checked my credit score, and I was shocked by what I saw... My credit score DROPPED!

Immediately, I began searching for any bills that I had not paid.  I couldn't figure it out.  Why did my credit score drop?  I found nothing!  I felt like crying.  All that hard work for absolutely nothing positive!  Travis had no idea what happened.  Let's just say, I freaked out.  I began thinking that nothing good is going to happen for us.  I began thinking that we'll never own a home.  I began thinking what's the point in even trying to pay off my debt - it won't help me anyways.

A few friends of mine know a lot about credit scores, mortgages, loans, and business-y stuff.  One night, while we were all hanging out having a few drinks, I brought it up to them.  I asked them, "How do people do it anymore?  Why is it my credit score drops when I do everything right?"  They started asking me a few really smart questions that I would have never thought of.

The greatest debt I have is student loans.  The credit cards are really nothing.  When I confessed to my friends how much I owe each month to student loans, it was roughly 60% of our net income.  Yup, that's right.  We pay 60% of our take home pay to student loans.  Because our credit card debt is so low, it's actually not a negative thing since we pay it off each month with a little bit of roll-over.

Your credit score is actually affected by your income to debt ratio.  I did not know that!  While we sat here thinking that if we paid off my student loans within 10 years, it would be better for us and that my credit score would improve.  Nope, it sure doesn't.  Your debt needs to be AT THE MOST 40% of your net income.  To qualify for better interest rates, your debt needs to be about 30% of your net income.  If your debt is over 40% of your net income, it reflects negatively on your credit score.  So even though we are paying off my student loans at the lowest current rates they offer for a 10-year repayment plan and paying off the principle, it doesn't increase my credit score.  Sure, we'd be saving more money in the long run... but it isn't helping us now get our footing in the real world.

If I increase my repayment plan to 20 or 30 years, it will boost my credit score and give us lower monthly payments.  It could possibly boost my credit score enough to qualify for a mortgage.  I brought up consolidating my loans... is that a good thing or a bad thing?  In my situation, it would be bad.

Because I am pretty well organized with my student loans, consolidating would not do me any justice.  It would negatively affect my credit score.  I have a variety of different student loans - some at low interest rates and some at high interest rates.  Consolidating would give me a higher interest rate than majority of my student loans.  The best decision for me is to keep them separate, pay the minimum balance, and then use what I have left to pay off the principle on my highest interest rate loans.  Consolidating would cause me to pay about the same or significantly more than if I just keep them separate and first pay off the higher interest rates in comparison to the principle balance for each.

So there you have it.  To help your credit score and prevent it from dropping, you must keep your debt at or below 40% of your net income.  If that means pushing my student loans off to a 20 or 30 year plan, then so be it.  It will definitely benefit us more than paying off the student loans right away.  After all, we still have our 10 year plan to paying them off - it just shows on paper that we plan to have it paid off in 20-30 years, showing that we are more financially responsible and trustworthy with our credit.

So Close, I Can Taste It!

I am super excited!  We've already accomplish Baby Step #1 by creating a $1000 emergency fund.  Baby Step #2 (other than student loans) will be complete this summer!  I can actually see ourselves getting established.  Travis has decided, after working a factory job that was detrimental to his health, he is going back to college.  He has a strong interest in figuring out how things work, why they work, and he's super good at working with electrical stuff.  Travis is pursuing a B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology.  I couldn't be more proud of him.

What have I been up to?  Well, I got a nice job doing a variety of things!  Right now, I am finishing up my internship at the zoo in Public Relations/Marketing/Event Planning.  I'm busy making training videos, putting together activity packets, planning the Earth Day event, and I get to help out the PR/Director of Communications with any projects she needs done.  Not long ago, I had to take pictures of a leopard getting a dental.  I even got my picture with the furry guy!  (Sorry, I can't post pics on here.  It's against policy.)  The internship ends April 27th.  I told my bosses I am not leaving.  One will have to take my arms and the other will have to take my legs and drag me out crying.  I love it there.  I'll never forget it.

I graduate on May 5, 2012 at 3 PM!  I already ordered my cap and gown.  I plan on making my own graduation invitations using the pictures my friend Kylee took.  I will post pictures of them when I am done!

I landed a great job with an auction company.  I enjoy the people I work with.  I have my own desk all set up.  I just need to add some personal touches - like family photos and quotes.  I have a good system down already, so now I'm not struggling to get things done on time.  They work around my internship, which is fantastic.  I only work 2 or 3 days a week (sometimes I have to pick up a Saturday to stay on top of things, but that's only happened twice).  I love dressing up for work, so I thoroughly enjoy that.  The two guys who are my bosses are super cool.  They have a part-time administrative assistant, and she's such a bubbly, friendly lady.  I look forward to the days that she is there.  They also have a lot of staff that comes and goes.  The head maintenance guy comes around and jokes with everyone.  He's a hoot.  His wife works with my bosses on properties and payroll/finances.  She's a sweet lady too.  Every once in a while, I see a cute elderly man named Larry.  His desk is in the cubicle across from mine.  BTW: the cubicles are not the typical cubicle.  These are freaking fancy and large.  Anyways, Larry has become my buddy.  Right now, I just put together ads, brochures, post cards, and manage the ad budgets.  I don't have time to do much else since I'm not there full-time.  In April, we are going to sit down and re-negotiate my salary.  They casually mentioned something about getting me a Mac computer for my desk!!  AHH!  I'm so excited!  They are hooking me up nicely.  Anyways, they have full intentions on keeping me full-time, so that is why we will negotiate a salary.  Once I am full-time, I will manage all social networking sites for the company, create videos for the company and properties we will be auctioning, and I will be putting together more promotional things for the company that can be used on an iPad.  That way, when they go to speak with prospective clientele, they can show them a nice looking "powerpoint" (but more professional and fancy) of all the different types of auctions we do.  Can I just say... I love my job.  And to think when I applied, I didn't think I would get it.  Out of 155 applicants, I was the lucky one.

I'm so happy that things are falling into place.  Everyone asks me if Travis is working.  But you know, I don't mind him not working.  He's still getting a lot of things done and taken care of.  Plus, he's looking for an easy part-time job so that he can finish school.  When I was in school, I worked part-time.  I tried focusing solely on schoolwork.  I want him to do the same.  This man busted his ass off for 3 years.  He worked like a dog just so that we could keep a roof over our heads.  He's taken such good care of me... it's time I do the same for him.  It is his turn to focus on getting an education and pursuing a career.  It is my turn to buck up, take on more responsibilities, and keep our heads afloat.  After all, if it wasn't for Travis's hard work, I would have never finished this degree and landed this job.  Besides, he is going to be making the big bucks when he's done! :)  Behind every great man is a great woman - and I tend to keep that reputation strong.  He's such a great husband - I need to be his great wife.  I cannot explain how proud I am of him and what we've accomplished as a team.  We're a force to be reckoned with.

Once we pay off these credit cards and polish off that medical debt (yeah, there was a debt for $500 that somehow got lost.  We're not done yet.  ::headdesk::), we are buying my husband a car.  This summer, we are hoping to get a starter home.  It won't be our forever home, but it will turn a great profit when we re-sell it in 5 years time.  We are thinking after getting a car, we should be set with a down deposit plus fees by fall.  Who knows, maybe next year we'll buy a house and have a little bit more saved up.  But it's still fun to look at our options.

I'm not going to lie.  We did break our habit of saving.  This Sunday, Travis and I went on a shopping spree.  I found heels that I could wear to work on clearance!  I got a black pair and a tan pair.  Then I found really cute tops and tanks to wear underneath my suits for work for real cheap!  Then I found two blazers that fit perfectly!  I had looked at Travis and said, "watch, this is going to be too big."  I put it on and it fit!  I about shat myself!  So I got 2 - one is white with a gold button; the other is a black boyfriend blazer.  I also found some nice jewelry on sale that would go with any outfit.  So now I have 4 necklaces and a pair of earring to wear to work!  Since I splurged on work stuff, I told Travis that he should have some fun.  So he bought a new XBox controller (his was broken) and he pre-ordered the new Resident Evil game.  While splurging like that is a terrible idea, we don't do it often.  We rarely, if ever, buy anything for ourselves.  So my first paycheck went towards treating ourselves.  But that's it.  No more frivolous spending until we get another car.

In my very rare amounts of down time, I've been socializing with friends and talking with family members.  I've also been putting together the Woenker Recipe Book.  When I am done, I will post free printables on here just for fun.  Just don't hold your breath.  It'll be a while!

Where Are We Going? Who Cares, Let's Dance!

I didn't find a work study position.  But that's ok.  I got things worked out with the financial aid office.  Right now, I'm just focused on getting through this semester.  It is rather chaotic.  Doing 18 credit hours worth of work, two intensive writing courses, two astronomy classes (I'm not that great at science)... plus I'm trying to figure out an internship for next semester.

Travis and I have been having a mini-identity crisis.  We have no idea what we are going to do with our lives.  Choosing a career is such a HUGE decision.  It isn't something to just take lightly.  After having some disappointment with Trav's job, he's made the decision to go to college.  We are going to be sticking around Bloomington just a little longer.  He's been fancying a nationally recognized program at Indiana University.  I think it fits him perfectly.  I think... wait, I know he will be happy in this field.  He is interested in two majors.  I don't think he can double major - but the majors are so similar, a lot of the courses can be counted for both.  So until he finds his niche, he won't be sacrificing years at college if he chooses to do one major over the other.  The majors are a B.S. in Park & Recreation Management and a B.S. in Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management.  Getting set up for next year is actually on Trav's To-Do List for today!  This will be exciting!  

What am I going to do?  Well I have no idea.  I won't lie.  Not long ago, I attended a networking night on campus.  I met a gentleman from a local publishing company.  It is a fast growing publishing company!  As I talked with him, the company sounded better and better.  It literally fit everything I desire in a career.  I asked the gentleman about internships.  He responded saying that the company does not believe in un-paid internships.  That sounds amazing, right?  Well, due to budgeting, they do not have room currently for interns.  I was crushed.  I need an internship to graduate next semester.  I am really looking to intern for a company where I could be hired on full-time.  This publishing company has multiple job openings.  The hours are a typical 8-5 shift, but starting and ending times can vary once in a while.  Even though they are not hiring interns, they are hiring full-time positions.  What would be the harm in applying now anyways?  I have really no commitments next semester.  

The problem:  I still need 20 hours a week in an internship (Rabble Rabble).  So, I did a lot of research these past few days.  I have a strong interest for genealogy.  I've been exposed to genealogy since I was a wee-little thing.  I have a passion for research.  I contemplated going to graduate school, but I am afraid I will over-qualify myself for the careers that I want.  I really feel like my only desire to continue to graduate school is my love for writing and research.  Well... if I apply for a position with a publishing company - I satisfy my writing passion.  Where could I get the research?  Genealogy!  I looked online for the genealogical library here in Bloomington.  They hire interns and are in need for volunteers all the time!  They have flexible scheduling, because they expect that majority of interns and volunteers work during the day!  Why, this is perfect!  They are not open on Sunday or Monday, but they are open on Fridays and Saturdays.  I could dedicate a lot of hours on Fridays and Saturdays (when they need people most) to an internship!  I could work in Event Planning or the Genealogical Library.  I really like this idea!

So today, I am meeting with the career center on campus.  I have so many questions to ask.  I'd also like them to review my resume and help me with cover letters.  I have such a difficult time selling myself.  Maybe it's because of a lack of direction and/or self-confidence and fear of rejection.  I don't know.  But I always blow it on interviews.  I practice with family and friends - and I do great practicing interviews.  Yet, the moment arises to hand over my resume and tell the possible employer about myself, and I fumble.  More than likely, I'm going to need another appointment with the career advisor.  But I'm super excited to at least talk to someone today about my career objectives.  We'll see how it goes.

Oh yeah!  I haven't updated the stats, but we paid off another medical bill!!  YAY!  And we have more money in our emergency fund!  We still have a ways to go, but we're getting closer!  

Happy dance! 

happy dance+animation pics on Sodahead

Putting in the Extra Effort.

Today has been a great day!  My husband's unemployment FINALLY arrived.  Turns out, they had put all the deposits on the wrong card.  Yeah....  their mistake took a while to fix.  So, today, we finally received the unemployment card and we paid off many of our bills.  It felt great to finally get caught up.

So, I had a hold at the financial aid office.  A hold means they wouldn't allow me to access my financial aid money.  I went into the financial aid office today, and I asked them what the dealio was.  Turns out, they just need a statement from my advisor saying I am graduating in May.  ::shrug::  I'll just give them what they want and schedule an appointment tomorrow with my advisor.  Kind of annoying, but oh well.  But, I do believe I qualify for work study.  I already know there is an available position at the Career Center on campus.  I've already spoken to someone about it.  I just have to wait for the hold at the financial aid office to go away before I can apply for the position.  I really want this work study at the Career Center, because I will have access to all the information about job fairs, resume building, career advising, etc.  That is so perfect for my senior year.  The work study would only allow 10 hours a week. But that is why I have my part-time job at Five Guys Burgers & Fries.

My husband did something pretty cool today.  My parents came to visit - a surprise visit.  That was completely fine with me.  We never get to see our families much, so when they surprise us with a visit, we are overly excited about it.  We just tidied up the apartment after we got all our errands done for the day, and just in time for my parents' arrival.  My parents *always* want to see where I'm working.  I don't know why... they are just curious and excited, I guess.  Last week, they visited my sister (who is an occupational therapist) during her lunch break, and she showed them around a little bit.  I guess it's just something we grew up accustomed to....  So, when they came, they wanted to go eat at Five Guys and they wanted dessert from my husband's bakery.  It was fun!  We had a great time.  So, how does this apply to my husband doing something pretty cool?  While we were at Five Guys, we casually talked to my boss and my boss's boss (the GM and the owner).  My husband just got to talking with the guys, and they ended up hiring him on the spot!

So yes, my husband and I will be working a part-time job together at Five Guys Burgers and Fries.  I think it is hilariously awesome.  Everyone has asked me, "do you want to work with your husband?"  This is how I look at it:  it pays the bills.  Beggars can't be choosers.  Why does it matter if I'm working the same job as my husband?  Sure, we might drive each other crazy - but a job is a job - and if you are desperate for money, you take what you can get.  Needless to say, I'm very happy for my hubby.  He's taking this "building our nest" seriously.  So seriously, he's picking up another job.  And I'm super happy he got the job!  This is going to be a saving grace!

I just had to brag about how awesome my darling hubby is.  Putting in the extra effort is tough, but we're doing whatever we can to get where we want to be.