Day 3 - New Job!

Today was my first day at my new job! I got up early to get ready, take the subway and give myself time to grab breakfast before. I spent $11 at Starbucks...then found out we were given breakfast at the orientation! (I bet you if I hadn't bought breakfast, there wouldn't have been breakfast offered. That's how these things work, right? Haha.) After watching a PowerPoint with a few others new hires and getting my badge, I finally went to my building. Apparently I arrived earlier than they expected, since my manager wasn't around and I didn't have login credentials for my computer!

Of course, there were a lot of other technology issues throughout the day (par for the course, I went through the same thing on my first day of my previous job!) but I did get some training in with one of my new coworkers. Everyone else seemed to have their own lunch plans and I was working with IT on some stuff, so I bought lunch ($4.30 for a soup) and then trained for most of the afternoon. But I also twiddled my thumbs quite a bit since I couldn't log in to ANYTHING relating to HR and only a few applications by the end of the day. Oh well, such is life and it's a good thing I had my Kindle in my bag!

Also, my coworkers also seem fun and outgoing. Such a change from my old job and they are all actually in my age range, late 20s to early 30s! This is definitely an environment I needed. And I'm ready to be fully trained even though they warned me that'll take about 6 weeks. After work, I headed back to my friends' place, replenished my subway pass for the week ($20), picked up a package my Mom had sent me (the rest of my work clothes that I couldn't fit in my suitcase - yay!) and then bought some overpriced groceries for $20.64. I picked up mini bagels, cottage cheese, a greek yogurt, frozen edamame, two of those 90-second rice-in-a-bag, and a bag of chips - just a few things to tide me over.

Well, it's already way past my "new" bedtime, since my job starts an hour later here and my commute is shorter. Tomorrow I'm picking up the keys and actually seeing my sublet which I'll move into later this week! Can't wait to stop living out of a suitcase/on a couch and actually have my own room!

I Got the Job!

It's official...

I GOT THE JOB!!

It took a bit longer than expected. It's slightly less money than we initially discussed. But I'm okay with that. The benefits are amazing (4 weeks vacation plus sick & work-from-home days, 401k matching up to 4% with immediate full vesting, solid health/dental/vision, gym discounts, etc), the people I interviewed with were awesome and this honestly was one of the easiest decisions I've ever made. :)

I was able to negotiate my start date to the end of March, so I have just under a month left in San Diego before the huge cross-country move. It's going to be a whirlwind and I'll be a New Yorker before I know it!

I am so excited. My dream is now reality! I'm on a cloud and I don't think it'll actually feel real until I'm in the middle of that pulsing, energizing, constantly-moving-always-on city. :) My to-do list just became insane but luckily I have an amazing support system and a decent amount of time (and luckily money saved, since there's no relocation package with the position) to make this huge life change.

Taxes + Annual Bonus

I finished my taxes the day after I got all of my forms (a few 1099s and my W-2) and by January 28th I had received a refund of $664 from Federal and $341 from State. I used $15 of that to pay for the state filing at TaxACT, which I've used the last three years to do my taxes. It only took me about an hour to do everything online and my taxes are very easy! So I have a $990 tax refund to figure out what to do with...

On the 31st, I received my annual bonus for work done in 2010. Hooray! It was $7,000 gross (umm, I expected HALF that so what a nice surprise!) and I netted $3,634 after taxes. This is how it's broken down:

$2K, 2011 Roth IRA
$500, E-Fund
$500, Travel Fund
$200, iPhone (for Verizon...finally!)
$40, Case for my new Kindle (Mom bought it as an early Valentine's Day present for me. LOVE!)
$394, Other/Miscellaneous (Gifts for friends, clothing & I want this tote since I bring my lunch to work every day.)

Are you getting a tax refund or do you owe? What are you going to do with your refund if you do get it?

Weekend Miscellaneous

I'm ALMOST done with my Christmas shopping! So far, I've spent $355.84. The last (and most important) gift on my list is my Dad. He likes running, travel, golf and Anthony Bourdain. Last year I got him an awesome Anthony Bourdain shirt (since my Dad already has ALL his books!) that he goes running in so I hit on two of those topics. I'm completely stuck this year on what to get him, and I want it to be great because he's helped me out tremendously in 2010. I have enough left in my Gift Fund to spend around $100. Any last-minute suggestions?

My fender bender is now behind me. The woman got a few estimates and the lowest was $450 which was below my $500 insurance deductible so I just paid her outright. We met up today, I wrote her a check and had her sign a note stating that the matter is hereby settled. Still glad that no one was injured, I know that accidents happen and I'll just be extra careful in the future!

In an unexpected turn of events, I heard back from my dream job! They want to schedule a second phone interview because the hiring manager did not feel like they had enough time to talk to me during the initial one, which was only 30 minutes between two people. The dynamics of hiring have always intrigued me and I know companies will set ideal dates...but that there really are no hard and fast rules at the end of the day. I'm excited and I know I'll be less nervous for this round! (Now if only I could find my dream boy...and have him stay, heh!)

Then I can go on vacation to Jamaica with my family and de-stress for the remainder of 2010 after all this craziness. :)

Dream Job & 2011

Since September, I've been seriously thinking about my career. Some of it has to do with the fact that I know I'm severely underpaid. Even though there's the potential for a "small raise" come April per recent a recent discussion with my boss... I've become restless at my current position. I feel a bit stagnant and while I'm constantly asking for more work and trying to always be a sponge, it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. What I do is somewhat specialized in the investment industry, and I wasn't sure if it was a career path I truly wanted but it has definitely been interesting. So I started casually job hunting just to see if there were any similar positions at all out there.

A few weeks ago, while I was home for Thanksgiving... I stumbled upon my dream job. In my dream city: New York!

I applied, figuring I'd never hear back as with most job applications. Lo-and-behold, FOUR days later, I received a call for an interview! An initial phone interview was scheduled and in my mind, I had already started moved myself to New York City...

But it's unfortunately been radio silence for over a week now. They had sounded very interested, asked if I'd be available in the near future for an in-person interview and said they would contact me. The only issue seemed to be the start date which was MUCH sooner than I could have anticipated. There was unfortunately no way I would be able to make that date work with my upcoming travel schedule plus obviously having to do a huge, cross-country relocation.

SIGH.

Regardless, that interview gave me the push I needed. My casual job hunt has turned into a full-blown, time-consuming endeavor with one goal in mind:

In 2011, I want to move to New York.

Small Holiday Bonus

Unexpectedly, my work gave out small holiday bonuses this year! I netted exactly $300. What a nice surprise, especially around the holidays when extra money is always appreciated and needed!

Here's how I plan to spend it:

• $50 Travel Fund
• $100 Self (not sure what yet...)
  
• $150 Gift Fund (because in addition to Christmas gifts, I have two wedding presents and a Bachelorette gift to buy!)

You Never Know: A Follow-Up

Back at the end of July, I blogged about the you never know concept as it pertained to my job. I asked my boss about a potential salary increase and your encouraging comments were fantastic!

It's been two months... and I've got nothing to report back. My boss never followed up with me like she said she would in August. We also had an employee quit at the beginning of September so myself and the other associate have split his responsibilities. This week, there was a relevant conference up in San Francisco... but the other associate got to go, not me. Even though I'd been promised a conference for the past two years in my job since everyone else has been to at least one!

Needless to say: I'm frustrated. Very much so. I thought about bringing up the salary issue again with my boss, but didn't want to be a pest. My monthly meeting today was rushed and by the time she asked if I "had anything else" to discuss, she was already standing up near the door because she had another meeting. Of course, I didn't have the guts to bring it up right then!

So, I've made a decision. I'm going to start looking for another job. To see what's out there and test the waters. I spent the weekend re-writing my resume and searching for jobs. I figure this could go a few different ways:

1. I find nothing and have to hang on to what I have,
2. I find some jobs and can move onto something with better pay/opportunities, or
   
3. I find some jobs and can use them as leverage for an increase at my current position.

I figure a little over two years' experience is a reasonable time to do this! Plus, to be honest, my department cannot afford to lose me right now as we just lost someone else and cannot replace them due to a hiring freeze so that should afford me some leverage. (I hope.)

Any thoughts/suggestions? What would you do?

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You Never Know!

This morning I had my monthly meeting with my boss. We go over what I've been working on, what I'm going to be working on and just chat about life.

After two years at my company and 1.5 years in my current position/department, I'm getting antsy... for more money.

I started at a base salary of $33K and when I got my promotion, I didn't even get a big enough raise to hit the $35K mark (I'm technically $200 below that, and I'm not including annual bonuses)... I know I'm worth way more than that, but unfortunately my company is also known to be stingy when employees just start out. And I was okay with the low salary at first, because I work for an awesome company (no layoffs! great benefits!) but after two years I feel like I deserve more.

Also, we're on salary freezes. But you know what? I wanted it to be known that I feel underpaid.

So, I did it. I asked my boss for a salary increase... despite the fact that we're on salary freezes. And despite the fact that I was uber-nervous as I've never asked for a raise before! But, if you don't ask... you'll never know! Right? :)

And you know what? She said I brought up a very valid point, but she did reiterate that we are on salary freezes and my low pay is not due to my lack of skills, competence and performance as well as my incredible learning curve. Which I already knew, but it's always great to hear it! ;) So, I basically got a "maybe" as an answer. She said she would look into it, that it is unlikely but that I make a good point by bringing it up. Sounds like she'll be talking to some higher-ups in the company, which I don't think will do much, but it's a starting point and now I've put it out in the universe that I'd like more money. Either way, I'll be hearing something about it in a month when I have my next meeting with her.

MAYBE. It's not a no, and it's not a yes. It's something!

Vesting Schedule

I received my 2009 statements for my 401k and my profit sharing plan from work this week.

Unfortunately, my company match and my profit sharing investment has a long vesting schedule. In June, on my 2 year anniversary with my company, I will be 20% vested. Each year will add another 20% until, in 5 years, I'll be completely vested!

I definitely hope to stay with my company for that long. Besides, that'll be a nice chunk of change in my retirement accounts! As of 12/31/2009, my match was at $1,495.72 and my profit sharing was $9,998.40. :)

Does your company have a vesting schedule for your 401k match?

Bonus!

I have been mentioning that my company decided to give out annual bonuses for 2009. Well, I found this week how much mine is, and it turns out it's more than I expected. I work for a fantastic company and even though the recession hurt us in terms of clients, we are still doing good for where we're at. All in all, the company is being incredibly generous. The most surprising thing was that my bonus actually increased from last year's. Wow, I feel very privileged, as I still have a job and on top of that I'm getting a bonus! (It's also a nice addition to my mediocre salary, since 2010 will be the second year I will not be receiving a cost-of-living adjustment/raise.)

How much was my bonus? After taxes and 401k were taken out, I netted $3,150.
The following is my allocation:

E-Fund: $1,000
Roth IRA (2010): $1,000
CFA June Exam Fees: $500*
Travel Fund: $225
Gift Fund: $125
Clothes: $100
Other/Misc: $200

*still debating if I want to take the exam again in June

Did you get a bonus this year? Is your job giving you a raise in 2010?

Holiday Bonus

My company surprised us a few weeks ago! Our supervisor told us that all employees would be receiving a holiday bonus and an annual bonus! This is very unexpected, as we did not receive raises in the spring and were told that there would be no bonuses for 2009.

Incidental money is fantastic! I feel very lucky to be working for such a fantastic company who truly values their employees. Here is what I will be doing with my net $375 holiday bonus:

• Roth IRA $200
• Charity $50
• Shopping $125

Are you getting any sort of bonus for 2009?

Employed for One Year!

I have officially been employed for one year! I can't believe it's come by so quickly and I have my first year in the workforce under my belt.

Especially in this economy, I am very glad to have my job.

Spoke Too Soon...

We are doing a salary freeze. No increase in April. This article that I read today really makes a point, too, especially since my company is also doing a hiring freeze.

I'm just glad I got a slight salary increase with my promotion and I'm getting a tax refund.

And, of course, that I still have a job. Good luck out there. It's scary!

Bonus Time!

My company paid out bonuses for 2008 yesterday! After taxes and 401k, mine came to $2,140. Here's how I am dividing it up:

E-Fund = $1,000
Travel Fund = $250
Roth IRA (2008) = $250
Wardrobe Update = $500 (including work attire, running shoes, workout clothes, heels, etc)
Me/Other = $140 (I've been wanting some new earrings, I need to change my license to CA, etc)

I am saving 70% of my bonus and will be spending 30% of it eventually. :)

Cutting Benefits... But Not Jobs!

My company's CEO sent out a firm-wide e-mail yesterday. In 2009, some of our "extra" benefits/perks will be cut due to the economic outlook. This includes the $20 monthly gas card each employee was given, the vending machine subsidization (everything was $0.50) and no annual picnic or holiday party. What all the employees are keeping? Jobs, annual increases and bonuses.

I am thankful for my job. And how much the firm values its employees. My company has not laid of a single person and they have no plans to do so. (However, they will not be hiring any additional people for a while - so my old position will be split between a few people in the department.) Bonuses are still being paid out for 2008 (today, actually!) and we will still be getting our annual raises in April. They might be smaller than normal, but that is to be expected. Since I only started in June, so I am elated to be getting any sort of raise, let alone a bonus.

It's a happy Friday! :)

Mileage Reimbursement

From my bank trips for 4Q08 with work, I received $50.89 in mileage reimbursements!

I am rounding it to $51.00 and putting it into my E-fund. My Travel Fund is doing well and my next trips aren't til April (NYC for Easter to visit my parents who live their part of the year, my Dad bought the flight using points cuz he has a bazillion) and May (the bachelorette party) so I figure it's time to keep padding my emergency fund.

Sadly, this will be my last bit of automatic extra income from work since my new position does not include going to the bank. But it does have a higher pay! ;)

Enjoy the three day weekend, I know I will!

Promotion!

I got a promotion!!

I didn't want to post about this 2 weeks ago when I was first approached about applying for the internal position. It was a quick turn around: I had my 1st-round interview last Thursday (the day after I submitted my application, so I wasn't very prepared as it was a last-minute decision!) and I felt that it went very well. My feelings were confirmed when HR e-mailed me on Friday asking if I could do the 2nd-round interview on Monday - today. I went into the 2nd-round interview this morning feeling good but still nervous.

This afternoon, I noticed the department manager that I had interviewed with go into my current supervisor's office. A few minutes later, the door opens and they invite me in and she offers me the job! Of course, I accept and my current boss jokes about having to say good-bye to me so soon after saying hello, a mere 6 months ago!

This was all VERY unexpected but it is extremely flattering and exciting. The position is fantastic, it is definitely more in the finance/investing side that I know I want to be in - whereas my current position in accounting is not quite what I had hoped for, but in the current economic climate, it's a job. However, I obviously caught someone's attention and I have been trying to put forth the best effort I can - and it's paid off! :)

The starting salary for the new position comes with a pay increase of a little over 5%. (Though HR hasn't completed the paperwork, so I am making a guess that I will start at the bottom of the range they gave me.) I will slowly start the transition in early 2009 because my department is extremely busy right now. Even if I don't really start until February, I couldn't be more elated!

Hooray!

Stepping Stones

I had a 1st-round interview on Monday, a callback 30 minutes after it for a 2nd-round, the 2nd-round interview on Wednesday and received a verbal offer that same afternoon. They called me today to ask if I could give them an answer tomorrow (!), after I receive the offer letter... I have never been a good decision-maker, and even less so when there are time constraints. I tried to negotiate extending my decision until next Wednesday, and eventually I agreed to notify them on Monday.

Though the annual salary is lower than I was expecting (it is in the low $30K's), the benefits package is fantastic and the people I would be working with are very personable, fun and hard-working. The corporate culture is exactly what I am looking for in a company. Also, all the higher-level employees I interviewed with expressed to me that this is an entry-level position, a "stepping-stone" to get into the industry, the company and eventually move up and across departments if I desire (which I do). There is no way that I am going to let this opportunity pass - even though the cost of living in my city is high, it is not as bad as New York City or Los Angeles - and it is most certainly do-able with my standard of living. I am excited to start earning my new salary, working in a new environment and learning a lot! And, of course, start the personal finance that comes along with it...!! :)

Side note on PF: I did attempt to negotiate on the salary. Since they originally told me the range is "low-to-mid 30's" and they offered me the lower end of that, I asked if it was negotiable for $2K higher. I was extremely nervous in even attempting this, but at least I tried!(They didn't budge, so I'll be accepting the original offer on Monday after I review the letter.) -- But still, I couldn't be more thrilled!!