Layout:
Home > Introduction

Introduction

July 24th, 2013 at 09:18 pm

I am new to blogging and am still playing around with the format. I ran numerous searches online and was unable to find positive financial resources for temporary employees. There are many of us out there who have huge student loans and face a job market that offers very little in way of stability. I hope to provide and elicit support and suggestions from those in similar situations on how to save for retirement and deal with medical expenses without the support of a permanent employer.

There are many blogs that depict the horrors of document review and burdens of student loans. I prefer to take a positive view of my situation and try to better myself within the constraints of my circumstances. Complaining will not make life easier or lighten my load.

My law loans came out to a little over $127,000 when I graduated 7 years ago. They are currently at $101,000. Medical bills for my pets and myself, and periods of unemployment have swelled my credit cards to $22,000.

Last year I made a decision to give up my apartment and make a serious attempt to get my finances in order. My goal is to pay off my credit cards and to start putting money away for retirement. Eventually I would like to pay off the private portion of my student loans so I can have more options in my career. Document review is lucrative enough that it pays my bills however there is very little career growth.

9 Responses to “Introduction”

  1. Petunia 100 Says:
    1374697734

    Welcome to Saving Advice! Smile
    Since giving up your apartment, where do you live? With family? Renting a room?

  2. soogar Says:
    1374698324

    I live with my family and my boyfriend. I pay my boyfriend a $100 a week to stay in his studio when I have projects in the city. I'm very fortunate that he allows me to do this and it was a factor in my decision to give up my apartment.

  3. Kiki Says:
    1374701098

    welcome aboard!



  4. IndianGal Says:
    1374704078

    Welcome. I started recently as well, and find this to be a very helpful community!

  5. Petunia 100 Says:
    1374710460

    Well, I think you made a smart decision. Apartments in and near NYC can't be cheap. The money you are not spending on your apartment can go towards savings/investing/debt reduction.

  6. creditcardfree Says:
    1374716075

    Welcome to SA! I'd say giving up your apartment to pay down debt is a sign of commitment to the process.

  7. soogar Says:
    1374773275

    Giving up the apartment was the most difficult choice I had to make. I loved my apartment and it was rent stabilized. However I didn't own it and I was already paying a top rent for the area it was in. I have been on my own for 15 years. Moving back in with the parents and the boyfriend is difficult. Not having a place of my own was a real adjustment.I've always loved going home to my pretty apartment and just putting my feet up, reading and enjoying the silence. Now I stay with in a tiny apartment with my boyfriend who always has to have music on or the television. I do long for silence and solitude at times. Plus there is dealing with another person's presence. Even if he is quiet, he is still there. He feels the same way about my presence as well. Financially it helps both of us out to share costs. This is what is unfortunate about being single and living alone is that the single person pays proportionately more to live than a couple. We both benefit from the situation so we are trying to make it work. It helps that I have my parent's place as a fall back as well. If things get too difficult I return home.

  8. North Georgia Gal Says:
    1376866725

    A tardy welcome! I have just gotten caught up on your posts. I recently visited NYC and loved it. Have thought about moving there eventually when my family obligations are done but I doubt I could afford it. Do you live in Manhattan? I will be following your posts.

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]