Getting Busy & Rockin' Out!

Hey all!  I'm just writing this post to inform you that I have not forgotten about this blog!  I have a lot of projects coming up, events to plan and put together, as well as volunteering obligations that are pulling me away.  I will be posting, but not as much between now and April.

So for now, I want to share an event that I put together with the general manager of the hotel.  For only having 2 weeks to plan and get the word out (and having NO marketing/advertising budget whatsoever), we had an amazing turn out!  Not to mention, Travis and I were able to hang out with the band AND hold a Grammy award!  It just so happens that the band had so much fun, they plan on making this an annual event!  YAY!

**More pictures will be posted later on our 365 Day Picture Challenge!**

Cheap Kitty Litter!

I cannot believe it.  I hit up so many discounts today during our shopping trip.  But here's the best thing we got!

Kitty litter that's 100% usable - just in crappy boxes.

Kitty Litter.

I usually budget $40/month for cat food, kitty litter, and flea & tick medicine for two cats.  Kitty litter can be pretty expensive.  However, Travis was able to pick up 4 boxes of Arm & Hammer kitty litter for only....

$4.99!

SAY WHAT?!

Obviously, the boxes are all ripped to hell.  They've been taped together.  Because of that, it cannot be sold on shelves.  It just got destroyed in transit.  So Travis spoke up & bought them.  It's going to take a long time to get through all of these boxes of kitty litter!

So next time you are out shopping and you see anyone stocking the shelves or unloading the trucks, keep your eyes open for products that could be "unsellable" because of damage or defects.  If the product is still good, you can get a super nice deal just by speaking up and saying you'll buy it anyways!  Don't be shy!

He Got a Promotion!

Travis has been working so hard at his job.  He pulls long hours, and he's been working his way up through the ranks in a short amount of time.  Travis works at a local discount factory warehouse - and he started as a temp working in the back putting furniture together.  They hired him full time because he was a hard worker.  After his bosses got to know him, they decided he'd be a better fit on the sales floor during their auctions.  Travis nailed it.  Not only was Travis making great commissions, he still would help out in the back with inventory and set up.  Because of Travis's pure dedication and determination, he has been promoted to Manager in Training!

I'm so proud of him!

Better Than I Thought!

So, all of our hard work and efforts paid off!  Our credit jumped up.  Our debt to income ratio is right where I wanted it at the time being.  AND, we can qualify for more than we originally thought we would.

A dear cousin, Kari, has been giving Travis and I advice about building our credit and paying off our debts so that we can own a home.  The woman is a genius.  I am so totally clueless about this homebuying stuff.  However, Travis and Kari were on the same page the whole time, and they explained things to me in more simpler terms so that I could understand.  There were so many things I learned, I was amazed!

Kari pulled our credit reports and gave us an updated, accurate credit score for each of us.  She sat down with both of us and went through every page on our credit report, telling us what lenders look for.  She pointed out areas that we could fix, and she pointed out areas where we should leave things alone!  I was surprised that there was one thing on our credit report that she told us NOT to touch until after we buy a home.  If we messed with it, it could potentially hurt us because of when it will be reported - and she explained why it would negatively impact us.  This one thing was a collections account.  This debt was actually paid through the hospital between 2008 and 2011.  However, it was not updated on our credit report.  Even though that debt technically does not exist, the agency did not report it to the credit bureaus.  It is not hitting our credit negatively to leave it alone the way it is.  At first, I thought "OMG, that needs to be taken off!"  But Kari explained to me the moment that there is any activity on the account, it will come across as a negative impact on our credit and bring our credit scores down.  She told us to wait until after we buy a home to update it.

Kari also told us where we can dispute things on our credit report.  She told us the best places to talk to in order to handle credit disputes.  There was ONE medical bill that we paid off that had not been reported to the credit bureau.  Unfortunately, because we paid it, it's possible it will bring down our credit score.  But oh well, live and learn.  It'll be ok.  When Kari looked at our previous debts and saw that everything had been paid off completely, she told us we did everything right.  That was a relief to hear!  I was worried that I was messing up.  Kari reassured me that we are not in a terrible position, and because we have a good record of debts being paid in full - even though our credit scores weren't as high as I had wanted them to be - that will look more favorable because it shows we pay off our debts.

She ran our numbers through a program to see how interest rates would fluctuate between FHA and Conventional loans.  She showed us every possible outcome.  She told us the pros and cons for each type, and how they would affect us.  Ironically, where we are, monthly payments won't be much different for either type of loan.  When going through the possible outcomes and different costs of a home and calculating a different percentage for a down payment, we were looking at possibly a $7 - $30 monthly difference between the two.

She asked us if we had been searching for a home at all lately.  I told her one house in the neighborhood we live in that I have had my eye on.  She ran the numbers for both types of loans with the amount the house was selling for and she took taxes into consideration.  This is where I was super surprised.  A Conventional loan was $7/month more than an FHA, but it was also more than likely a better option for us.  Then, we took another home into consideration.  An FHA was a better option for us on that one!  I was really surprised how minor adjustments made a HUGE difference!

After going through adjustments and comparisons, Kari told us that we were "finance-able" where we currently are.  She told us that we could qualify for much more than we originally thought.  Granted, we told her that we were looking for a lower cost home and wouldn't mind doing repairs.  This one really surprised me:  she told us that with where we stand, we should NOT get a house less than $50,000 because insurance and interest would not work in our favor.  The lowest we can look for a house is currently $54,000 without getting hit with huge insurance costs and higher interest rates.  I never thought there would be a minimum amount for getting a better deal.  If you go too low compared to what you qualify for, the bank won't see it as a loan being worth it - and we could potentially get denied because - well - it isn't worth it to invest in that much with where we are.  Interesting....

Again, these were all "approximate" and fairly accurate simulations, but it let us know where we currently stand on getting a home.  Worst case scenario, Travis and I will be home owners in July of this year.  If we continue doing what we are doing, handle a few minor adjustments on our credit reports, we could be homeowners by March!  AHHH!!!

Kari then calculated taxes, down payment, closing costs, appraisal costs, fees, etc. and gave us a total that we need to save for.  It's more or less a "goal" amount for the least that we should save for, and we need to save up that amount and keep it untouched for 2 months.  Only small additions, like $20 or $50 from a paycheck that is easily traced, can go into the savings.

Kari is going to run a few more simulations with another program with a lender.  This is going to tell us where we could be in 3 months up to 6 months.  Kari is going to see how long we should wait to get the best deals, without having to wait forever and not move forward on buying a home this year.  The lender is also going to talk to her about our credit report and give advice on what she would like to see us do before she'd be willing to approve us for certain amounts.  Basically, a lender is telling us what we should do in order to get our credit scores up higher in a short time frame and also what is going to work in our favor this year.

I cannot tell you just how relieved I am!  Travis and I left there feeling so proud of our accomplishments and determined to do whatever we need to in order to put ourselves in an even better position.

Not going to lie, this homebuying process still looks like Greek to me.  But I am glad that I have Kari to hold my hand and mentor me through the process.  Travis is on the same page with Kari - so it makes me feel better knowing that he understands this more than I do.

Here we are... step number 1 towards buying a house is accomplished.  Now on to step 2!

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?

Feeling Down: Update

Due to our low income and lack of health insurance, I went to the local Neighborhood Health Clinic yesterday morning.  I was very pleased with my visit.  My nurse practitioner knew exactly what I was talking about.  Why that is such a relief, I don't know.  Normally, when asked why am I being seen, I have to explain that I have two birth defects.  When I say Intestinal Malrotation, I get confused looks and am asked, "what is that?"  It's not very comforting to hear medical providers have to ask ME - the patient - what is Intestinal Malrotation.  It's actually scary and makes me worried that I'm not going to get appropriate care.  I've seen doctors answer my questions with shrugs and "I don't know".

First, when I went in, the Medical Assistant was new.  I'm totally cool with working with new people.  They have to start somewhere, and I'm very patient with them because I understand what that's like.  She was very sweet.  Her biggest obstacle was the computer to enter information into - and the program looked complex so I can't blame her for taking a while.  Hey, at least she wasn't poking me with a needle!  In Bloomington, I had a new EMT practice putting an IV in my arm....  about 45 minutes to an hour of agonizing pain in my left arm!!  But hey, they gotta learn some time to save another person's life!  I'll be a guinea pig.

This nurse practitioner asked ME the questions.  When I told her where my pain was, she began asking me the important questions.  When I told her where the pain was located, she began asking me if I had other conditions that could be causing the pain - such as kidneys, pancreas, appendix, or my right ovary.  She asked me if I had acid reflux, and when I said yes and told her what I took for it (Gaviscon for those who are interested in awesome heartburn and acid reflux relief - it's great!  I recommend it!) - she was able to explain to me what she thought was happening.  I felt relieved that someone at least had a hypothesis!


***Warning: Gross, TMI part!  Details are important, but if you are sensitive to gross details, skip this part***

My nurse practitioner asked me some important questions that I think others who experience Intestinal Malrotation pain should know.  So I am going to share those with you.  First, she asked if I was constipated.  I said yes.  She asked how long had I been constipated.  I told her it ranges, probably on and off for 3-4 days, sometimes more, sometimes less.  This had her concerned.  She asked if my stools were hard.  I said, no they are soft.  She explained that constipation usually involves stools being hard.  Since mine were not, she asked about the size of my stools.  I told her they are very thin.

The nurse practitioner then asked if the pain I have been experiencing felt like burning.  I said no.  It feels like something is stuck.  It feels full.  And she asked if I had pain after eating.  Immediately, I said yes.  My husband was with me simply because I was in so much pain I couldn't drive well.  He and I have witnessed everything together, so we are totally cool with discussing such details with each other.  And because of my condition, he'll ask me occassionally about these details if he notices anything abnormal.  There have been times when I've been in the hospital that I was seriously drugged up on pain meds that he's had to speak on my behalf, or I've been unconscious from pain that he's had to speak on my behalf.  Anyways, this is when he stepped in and said that when I eat, my stomach automatically swells while I'm eating.  By the time I've finished eating, I look 3-4 months pregnant (and we know because I was at one point in time!).  I told my NP that I get extremely tired after eating.

She asked me about nausea, and I said yes.  I always feel like I'm going to vomit.  Because I have not, my NP said that my bowels have not twisted, but they could be positioned awkwardly.  My NP said that if the pain persists and I do vomit, I should go to the ER immediately. However, she said that something is causing a small block, and that's making it painful.

She asked me about gas - have I been passing gas more frequently or burping more frequently.  I said yes.  She thinks that my Intestinal Malrotation and my acid reflux are working against each other and creating more pain.  She believes that I could be experiencing a common side effect with Intestinal Malrotation relating to Intestinal Peristalsis - meaning that something could be preventing my digested food from moving through my intestines.

Because of my symptoms and history, the NP prescribed me Docusate to help with constipation.  So far, I have been taking 2 a day as prescribed - and while I am passing stools - it feels like my freaking miscarriage.  It hurts so much, I can't even work or sleep.  Not going to lie, I've been back and forth to the bathroom, crying every time.  I'll be in there for over an hour with little or no luck.  Who gets laxatives and still can't poop?  I guess, people like me....


***OK, we've passed the gross part.  YOU CAN READ NOW!***

Because my pain is in the upper abdomen and along the right side of my abdomen, it can be difficult or time consuming to find exactly what is causing the pain.  So many important organs fall along the right side of the body, and with patients that have Intestinal Malrotation, their intestines are included on that right side.  The Neighborhood Health Clinic cannot do x-rays on the spot.  So I have to wait until Thursday to get abdominal x-rays.  It takes about a week for her to receive the x-rays, so I have another appointment with her that following Thursday.  She's going to collect my medical records and review what procedures I have had done already, and see what tests and procedures I should do now after she reviews my x-rays.

I'm very lucky I have a job that is flexible with me.  I've still managed to pop into work once in a while.  I worked half a day yesterday, even though I was in pain.  Everyone told me not to bother working today.  My father-in-law has been very sweet about it.  He's been making sure I'm still OK, checking on me once in a while.  He brought me icecream last night, but I was in such pain I couldn't eat.

Travis has been my rock - as always.  I love him so much.  He's been taking care of me every second he can.  I don't know what I'd do without him.  Last night, I cried for so long.  Here I have a degree, but with my condition I can't have a career.  I can barely work with this kind of pain.  Here, I have so much in student loans to pay back, but I can't even use my degree.  Hell, I can't even find a good job with my degree.  And I told Travis I feel guilty.  I've put us in debt to have a degree.  I was the reason we were in medical debt.  And here I am... I can't even offer a good paying job to help cover expenses and give us a quality life - a normal life.  All I want is to be content and normal.  With my condition, how on Earth will I be able to have kids?  I can't just take a day, two days, or a week off of being a mother.  He can't do it all alone.  I feel so completely responsible for the stress we are under and the debt we currently have.

I do have hope.  Today, I was able to finally purchase health insurance for 6 months.  I researched health insurance for pre-existing conditions and I found one through MultiPlan.  My plan is only $117 a month.  I have no lifetime limit.  For pre-existing conditions, anything that costs $0-$10,000 is covered up to 70%, with the maximum that I would be required to pay is $3,000.  Between $10,000 - $15,000, it is covered 80/20, with the maximum that I would be required to pay at $4,000.  From $15,000 to $2 million, it is covered 100%.  For anything that is not pre-existing, I have a $50 co-pay, and for health and sickness visits, I get 3 for 6 months.  My health insurance is covered through STAR Financial.  On top of that, most hospitals, doctors and specialists in Fort Wayne will accept this plan.  No procedures or treatments will be denied coverage.  However, I was required to get life insurance, which is included in my $117/month plan.  My life insurance is through Fidelity.  Can't say I won't need it... after all, Travis and I combined almost died 4 times during our relationship - so who knows! lol It couldn't hurt.

If you have a pre-existing condition and are looking for a plan similar to mine, I would recommend calling 1-866-421-7010 to get a quote.  The individuals I spoke to are Chuck and Yvonne.

Bumps in the Road

Trying to become established in this kind of job market and economy has really proven to me to be a vicious circle.  I feel so stuck sometimes.  Here I am, working full time for no benefits - but with a chance to move up in the company.  I don't really have any idea where this is going to take me and for how long I will have to work before I get advanced.  I know two women in the company have been waiting to retire, but they have been so short-staffed and overworked, that the possibility to retire is not available to them.... That is until I arrived.  So I am being trained for their jobs.  But with my previous work experience and with my degree, I have no idea where I am going since other opportunities are arriving every day.  I'd hate to say it because I love everyone I work with, but all of my coworkers have told me this regularly:  I'm over-qualified for all the jobs in this company.  I have to agree.  However, I'll do whatever I need to in this economy to build my experience for a better future for my family.

Travis is working hard in school.  He finished his math class 2 weeks early, which is no surprise to me. He loves math.  It's his Art History class that he can't seem to grasp.  I guess that is the engineer in him. Luckily, his fall semester is mostly math and science.  Travis also got a manager position part-time to work around his school schedule at a place that specializes in kayaking, boating, hiking, and extreme sports (mostly water sports).  Throughout the summer, they have a variety of sporting events.  I know Travis will love this.

I cannot lie and say that I'm extremely happy with where we are.  My student loans are going to get more expensive and I am not sure we can afford it.  Paying off the credit cards has become an endless feat.  We still have one more medical bill to pay off, granted it is only $500.  Some people may think we are careless with money because my credit isn't that great.  My credit has been hit multiple times for multiple reasons.  First, when I was sick, the medical debt almost destroyed my 680 credit score.  I have only had 1 credit card my entire life, and the max amount on it was $500.  I had to use it to pay rent one month, so it maxed out.  I tried to get another credit card to use only for gas so that I could increase my credit... but I was denied.  Travis only has one credit card, and it's debt is only $200.  When Travis and I were seeing opportunities with his company and he was promised a promotion, we began house hunting because Travis's credit score was great.  Due to my student loans and our limited income, we qualified for $70,000.  Not long after that, Travis was laid off.  So, needless to say, we didn't buy a house.  When I graduated, we moved in with family in Fort Wayne.  As I job searched, majority of companies were hitting my credit score even more.  It seemed like every time I applied for a job, I had to agree to a credit check.  When asked if I could print off a copy as to not hit my credit score, I was told no.  We wanted to get an apartment or a house or some place to live, but out of fear for being denied based on our credit scores, we don't want to risk more hits to our credit.  I've heard many people say that bad credit is better than no credit.  While that may be true, having bad or no credit still feels impossible to get established.  It looks like our goals of buying a home this year are not going to happen.  Next year, when my student loan payments rise, I'm afraid that we still are not going to be able to buy a house, especially with the income we both produce.  And to look for a new job, I'm afraid my credit will only get beaten up more just for applying.

But on a brighter note, Travis was able to sell his old car!  It only sold for $350, but it sure helped.  We hadn't gone on a date, so we used the money for a nice dinner, movie, and because I absolutely love fairs and festivals, we spent about $20 towards a day at the Three Rivers Festival.  At the festival, Travis gave me a brilliant idea!  I should start a blog about sweet stuff.  I love sweets!  I have a horrible sweet tooth.  So I am going to give it a try.  When I put the blog together, I will definitely post a link when it is ready for its debut.  So keep a look out for the Sweetest Blog on the Block!

Keeping My Options Open

Ever feel like you could be doing something more?  Ever feel like you are more valuable?  Well, luckily, that's how I have been feeling.

I absolutely adore my job at the zoo.  I'm just an intern.  I don't get paid to work from 8 AM to 5 PM every day I am there (which is 3 days a week).  But I wake up early and look forward to going to work there.  I love the people I work with.  I love being around animals, even the creepy, crawling ones.  I love the work I am doing.  I cannot think of any negative thing about the job - except that it will end when April ends.  I love this place so much, I do not want to leave.  Tuesday, I cut my eye pretty bad.  It's ok.  It's just taking time to heal.  But, yesterday, when the doctor told me to stay home and rest my eye - I still went into the office at the zoo to talk to everyone.  Right after I left the doctor's office, I went straight to the zoo because I didn't want them worrying about me and I wanted to fill them in on everything.  I didn't get to stay and work, and that made me sad.  I hated not being there.

Don't get me wrong, I love my actual job.  I work for an auction company with really great people.  However, I feel like there is more I could be doing.  And I know when we renegotiate my salary, I might not get the wage I am looking for.  I could be doing more and getting paid more.  I'll definitely hang out there for a while, but I feel like this is holding me back from what I could be doing.

For months, a financial advising company that is well known in Fort Wayne has been contacting me.  At first, they wanted me to apply for the recruiting coordinator position.  I applied, but didn't get the position.  However, one of the leading partners for the company still contacted me relentlessly.  He asked me to apply for a new position the company has created.  It is Marketing & Client Relations - and I will be working alongside the partner of the company.  From the job description, it sounds like something that is up my alley.  Literally, it sounds like they looked at my resume and created this position tailored to me.  So I sent in my updated resume and I have an interview this week.  This company has been rated in the top 20 companies to work for in Fort Wayne, and they are offering a "lucrative" salary with benefits. Can't beat that, huh?

Well, before I injured my eye on Tuesday, the education department had their weekly meeting at the zoo.  That is the department I intern for, so I attend the meetings as well.  At the meeting, we were gathering dates for everyone's vacation, holidays, etc.  The PR and Communications Director asked when my internship ends.  I shrugged at looked at my supervisor - the Volunteer Coordinator - and I asked her.  She joked saying, "you never put in a day, so we're just going to keep you all summer."  In response, I said, "good, I don't want to leave."  Then, the Education Coordinator, my buddy, Kristin says, "Hey, why don't you apply for Rebecca's job?"

No joke, this feels like serendipity.  What is Rebecca's job?  She is the Development Assistant at the zoo.  Her job requires client relations between the zoo's education department and sponsors and donors, she manages budgets for events and programs, and she does the more detailed office work of what I currently do at the zoo.  I'm a PR and event planning intern.  I just create all the fun stuff and implement it.  Her job is managing the funds and detailed paperwork of the events.  She does this for all education programs.  On the plus side, I could continue making videos for the zoo.

After Kristin's brilliant idea, everyone in the room was saying, "Do it!"  I didn't know Rebecca was offered another job elsewhere that was closer to home and paid a little bit more.  She didn't want to leave the zoo, however she wasn't going to turn down a great opportunity.  After the meeting, I walked up to Rebecca and I asked her if she would mind me job shadowing her for a day.  She's an absolute sweetheart, so of course she said, "sure!"  I sat there beside her and she showed me a little bit of what she was working on.  She had put together a detailed packet on how to do everything at the job so that the next person who came wouldn't be lost.  Rebecca filled me in on what she does and she said to me, "I know what you do for your internship, and you are very good at it.  You would be great at this position."  They are looking for someone to start right away - thinking the first week of May.  Um... hello - perfect timing?!  I went ahead and applied for the position.

Kristin and the volunteer coordinator were saying that if I get the job, I have to join them 2 nights a week with the rest of the "Zumba Zoo Crew" for Zumba nights.  Fine by me!  For the rest of the day after I had talked to Rebecca, Kristin and Susie (another sweet lady at the office) seemed really excited.  They filled me in on everything.  They said, "don't take the job if it isn't something you want to do.  But this is what the zoo offers in benefits...."  I told the girls that it would really come down to the dollar signs - but my heart automatically leans towards the zoo.  I have to keep my options open and think of Travis and I. So I will continue putting out my resume to different places, go to interviews, and see if I get any offers.  Travis and I will discuss each job that is offered to me, and I'll choose which place is the best decision.

I did tell the volunteer coordinator that if I don't get the job, I would like to volunteer.  She seemed super happy about that. :)

Enjoying a Bit of House Hunting

Ok, so we aren't officially looking to buy a home.  Well... maybe.  That is, if all goes well and according to plan.  Currently, we live in a really nice neighborhood with my husband's dad and grandfather.  I wouldn't mind staying in this neighborhood.  After all, it is a sought after area of town.  Houses don't really go up for sale often, which means people move in and stay.  When a house does go up for sale, let's just say, they don't last long on the market.

Today, Travis went off to work.  I was bored, so I took a drive around in this part of town.  I saw quite a few "For Sale" signs.  I grabbed a piece of paper, a pen, and I started jotting down the addresses and who was the realtor.  I came home and jumped onto my laptop.  I looked up each house.  Only 1 out of the 5 houses was not in our original budget.

A while back, Travis and I thought that we were going to buy a house in Bloomington.  Good thing we didn't.  We were racking up some serious medical debt, and our credit was far under par.  However, a good friend of mine is a broker in Bloomington.  She found out that we qualified for $70,000.  Yeah, that's not much - but we are first-time home buyers AND our credit was out of wack at the time.  Since then, we've used $70,000 as our budget for when we do decide to buy a home - regardless if we qualify for more.  It's good to have a number in mind, even if it isn't the actual number now.  Besides, we don't have to take out a loan for more than what we really should.  We're being frugal here.

So, $70,000 was my budget.  Only 1 was over that (and that was $99,900 - and trust me, the outside of the house didn't look like it was worth $99,900).  The other 4 houses were jaw droppers.  I was surprised how much they were after looking at them in person.  Granted, I'm sure they are going to be fix uppers.  But with a family of construction workers and DIY'ers, I'm not too worried about some fixing up.  I'd rather fix it up just the way I want it anyways.  All four houses were LESS that $70,000.  And here's why:

Most houses in this neighborhood were built in the 50's and 60's.  The families that built these homes stayed in them until they passed or moved into an elderly home.  Families don't leave this area.  But when a person passes away or moves into an elderly home - the children are desperate to get rid of the house.  Yes, the homes have some wear and tear on them - but they are very nice family homes.  They are great starter homes.  And after having friends move into this area previously, we can see that most homes are not money pits.  This area of town has a great reputation.  The prices on these homes drop quickly because the family members cannot afford to keep a second home that their parents' owned.

Here I am getting all excited.  Travis asked me the other day how I felt about buying a home instead of renting.  That's a huge step to take - and honestly, I'm scared because I don't know a thing about home buying.  But believe me, I would love to have a home to call our own - to have a place where we can settle ourselves down and live for years.  In this upcoming year, we made a promise to get established before the year ends.  We made a promise that living with family members is temporary.  In 2012, Travis and I will be getting careers.  Travis already has a pretty decent job.  I'm getting interviews.  Maybe buying a home is a step in the right direction.  I'm not talking about buying a home tomorrow or next week or next month.  But after I get a career and we establish ourselves with a decent income, maybe it wouldn't hurt to keep our eyes open for a home.  Maybe it wouldn't hurt to go to a broker and look around.  We can take our time.  We don't need to jump the gun.  But maybe now is the time to take that first step towards home buying.

Oh My Golly Gee Wiz!

I must say that I really do love 2012!  Travis got the job he applied for, so right now, he is finishing up the mandatory tests, background check, la di da.  I had a bit of a run-in with my financial aid.  It still hasn't shown up in the mail yet, which is super frustrating.  In order to keep my financial aid, I had to register for 6 credit hours instead of only 4.  That means I would have to complete 300 hours at my internship.  I asked my supervisor, and she said that worked great for her!  I'm super happy it all worked out.  Plus, I freaking LOVE my job at the zoo.  Right now, I'm making training videos.  It is super fun because I get to see all the animals up close.  Sorry, I cannot post pictures.  It's against the policy.  But let me tell you, I've pretty much gotten over my fear of snakes. haha!

This has become a fantastic month as well.  Previously, I applied to 1 job here in town.  I was not expecting to get a call back.  Last week, I was offered an interview.  I just came back from it.  The job sounds great.  I know I would enjoy it.  I don't know if it is something I really want to do, but hey, it's a job!  I'd be an administrative/marketing assistant that helps with their social media sites.  Definitely a job that is in my niche.  The great thing about it was that out of 155 applicants, they only chose the top ten applicants they liked for an interview.  Yup, that's right kiddos.  I was one of them!  My interview blunder:  I totally under-sold myself.  They asked what I would expect in compensation on an hourly basis.  Uh... I probably should have thought about that.  I'm so used to being told how much I make.  I didn't take into consideration how much I expect to get paid hourly.  I figured for salary, maybe $30-$40,000.  Yeah.... ::cringes:: I said $10-$13/hour, but I would have to think about it more depending on the amount of work I would be doing.  YIKES!   I sold myself short by $10!  ::facepalm::  I feel like crawling under a rock.  But who knows, maybe they'll see that I am genuine.  Maybe they'll pay me a decent wage for my work if they hire me, not the low-ball price I said.  And who knows, maybe everyone else was asking for a much higher wage and the interviewers tuned them out.  I still cannot believe I did that.  I have to keep reminding myself... this is a big kid job!  Not some side, part-time gig to make ends meet.  GAH, I'm worth more than that!

However, I did get offered a job that might pay more.  I was invited to an interview with one of the top ten companies to work for in Fort Wayne, IN.  The position is a Recruiting Coordinator/Client Support position.  They found me through Monster.com.  We'll see where the wind takes me.  It would be nice to have options available.  Besides, I'm really blessed.  Two offers for an interview when I wasn't really trying to look for a job... that's pure blessings.  So many people out there are struggling to find a job.  My heart goes out to them.  It's such a scary position to be in.  Even if I do not get either of these jobs, I still remember to count my blessings.  I was offered TWO interviews.  Let's just say that I'm worth more than I originally thought I was.  That, my friends, makes all the difference.

So, to make me feel a little better, anyone want to share their greatest interview blunders? :P

Here's to a New Beginning!

We are officially starting over!  I think 2012 is going to be our year!  I finished my classes at Indiana University and now I am finishing up 200 hours of an internship before graduation.  I will be graduating in May 2012!  I can't believe it is finally here!  Travis and I packed up our things, and we moved in with my father-in-law and grandfather-in-law.  They are fantastic.  We have lived here almost 2 weeks.  Mornings are spent talking to grandpa and enjoying a nice cup of coffee with some danishes.  In the evenings, we sometimes lounge in the living room with dad and watch TV shows.  Once in a while, we visit with friends and family.  I'm slowly figuring my way around Fort Wayne.  It's a little confusing, but I'll get the hang of it soon enough.

Today was a great day.  I found out that I begin working next week at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo as an intern in Public Relations and Social Media.  It was meant to be.  They were looking for someone to help with the social media and communications department - and that is what I do best!  Since the internship won't be every day, I'm looking for a part-time job to fill in some of the gaps.  Travis just received a phone call about a job he applied for on Friday.  They really liked his experience and quickness with math.  He has an interview this Friday, so fingers are crossed!  I am also getting a chance to really put my talents to work.  I am putting together multiple websites for different companies and organizations voluntarily.  Right now, I am finishing up a website for Merle Norman Luxe Spa & Salon in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Then I will be working on an interactive website for an awareness/support group for Intestinal Malrotation.  I think the hardest part about web design is the color scheme.  That's what I'm playing around with right now for the awareness/support group's website.

We still have the apartment in Bloomington.  It is available if anyone is interested.  Right now, we need to pay next month's rent, and it will automatically be put on the market as vacant.  We have to pay the rent and electricity until someone decides to take the lease.  Then, our lease is no longer in existence.  Our apartment complex is a great area, and they currently have no vacancies.  People have been looking for a one-bedroom apartment, and after our luck with trying to find a sublessor - the complex decided to help us with the process so that they can advertise an available apartment for the demand they have been receiving.

We only have one medical bill left to pay.  Then we have about $1000 in credit cards to pay off.  We still only have one car, but it'll work just fine.  My internship is in walking distance, and family members have offered to drop me off or pick me up whenever I need a ride.  Once Travis is working, he'll more than likely use the car more than me.  And my internship isn't every day of the week, so I will be able to pick him up and drop him off whenever I have errands to run and he needs to work.  Right now, Travis and I have developed a goal list.

1.  Re-establish $1000 in our savings fund (we had to use the money to move)
2.  Pay off remaining medical bill.
3.  Pay off credit cards.
4.  Buy a second car.
5.  Save up for an apartment (or possibly a house).

Things are really starting to look up for us.  All I can say is: it's about time!  Travis and I made some New Year's resolutions, and the number 1 resolution is "Always stay positive."  So far, it's been working.  Positivity goes a long way! :)

I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and are off to a great start to the new year!  Just for fun, what are your goals for this upcoming new year as you build your nest?

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

Opportunities, but What Path Should I Take?

Well, I have put out my resumes for work study positions.  I have to have a work study set by September 30th!  YIKES!  I'm just waiting to hear back from these people.  As of yesterday, the IDS school newspaper and student media has scheduled an orientation for me:  Thursday, September 22nd at 7 PM.  This should be fun!  It's definitely ideal, since afterall, I'll get to play around with many more interactive programs for the internet and come up with fun blog and website ideas.  I know I'll like it.

However, I had my heart set on a work study position at this theater here in town.  It is a historic theater, and the work study positions were as assistants in public relations and marketing.  It is totally up my alley.  I would love this.  But they haven't e-mailed me or called me back all week.  I'm bummed.  But who knows, maybe they'll ask for me to join their crew later?  This ideal situation has me thinking....

I will not turn away this position with the IDS school newspaper and student media.  As a matter of fact, it is a paying job.  But they work with the university, so I can do my work study there.  AWESOME!  But what if... what if the theater calls me up and says that they want to hire me as their work study assistant?  I don't know if I could switch work study jobs.... My ideal situation would be to set up the IDS as a work study position.  Then IF the theater hires me, I'd like to switch my work study position to the theater (because they only hire work-study), and take the IDS as a part time job.  If I did that... I would have to quit my job at Five Guys.

I won't lie.  Quitting Five Guys sounds awesome because the work is just not my cup of tea.  I needed a job.  I got the job.  I established great relationships there.  I haven't worked there long, but I really like the crew (some of them) and my bosses.  One of my bosses is one of my references.  I would hate to lose a good reference by being a short-term employee.  I've been there for about a month and a half.  To put my 2 weeks notice in (IF I get the theater job) now... I feel like I'm cheating on them!  Why?!  I have no idea.  But there is no way I could do 18 credit hours in school and work 3 jobs.  No. Way.  Besides, the IDS position and the theater are in my field of studies.... Five Guys is not.

So, I am kind of worried.  I would hate to let everyone at Five Guys down.  I'd hate to leave them.  But I will have to if these opportunities present themselves.  And, I'm worried about what that will do to my references....  Also, there is an incentive to stay.... a chance at $1000 (which is highly likely due to our scores) at the end of the quarter.  An extra $1000 on my last paycheck there would be super nice.


Other than that, we're still kickin' it.  We've got all the bills caught up.  We're doing alright.  I'm a little bit behind on my school work.  I'm going to get serious about catching up this weekend.  Luckily, nothing is going on this weekend that will prevent me from spending a lot of time reading.