❤ mollymouser ❤
Senior Associate
Sarcasm is my Superpower
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 16:09:58 GMT -5
Posts: 12,861
Today's Mood: Gen X ... so I'm sarcastic and annoyed
Location: Central California
Favorite Drink: Diet Mountain Dew
|
Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Jun 16, 2011 18:14:02 GMT -5
You might also look into selling plasma ~ assuming either you or your husband qualify. It can pay quite nicely, I'm told. A friend of mine in Indiana does that to get some spending money.
|
|
midjd
Administrator
Your Money Admin
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:09:23 GMT -5
Posts: 17,720
|
Post by midjd on Jun 16, 2011 22:18:52 GMT -5
Well, yes and no. This is my first job out of law school in a very, very bad market for new attorneys (I read an article the other day about how the 2009 and 2010 classes are set to be the "lost generation"). I accepted it thinking, "Woohoo! A JOB!" and not really caring what it was I'd be doing. But then I ended up falling in love with it - it's really work I enjoy, and my coworkers are great. The benefits are also very generous, though the salary is definitely not. And there is something to be said for being able to leave work at 4:30 every day I'd like to stay here at least long enough for my 10% match to vest (in July 2015 - it should be about $40K plus whatever returns it's been getting). Ideally, by that point I'd be promoted to one of the higher-level staff attorney or director positions, making $75-$80K. So anyway, I guess my point is - although I started out mostly thinking of the SL forgiveness (and the end to my unemployment) - I really like the job, and it would take a substantial salary increase for me to leave. Not ruling it out, though.
|
|
IPAfan
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 1, 2011 16:17:11 GMT -5
Posts: 890
|
Post by IPAfan on Jun 16, 2011 22:46:36 GMT -5
midwesternjd,
What type of law do you practice for the state? Is it possible to have a small private practice on the side where you could do transactional work? Either contract work for other attorneys, estate planning, bankruptcy, personal injury, etc. The easy stuff that doesn't require much in the way of court appearances? I know some attorneys who work in the DA's office locally who do some wills and trusts here and there to make some extra coin.
If you'd be allowed to take a limited number of private cases that DON'T interfere with your work, PM me and I might have some ideas.
I can tell you with pretty good certainty that there is a LOT of money on the table if you know how to get it. Don't bother with peanuts, your license can be very valuable. No one teaches in law school how to go out and make money, but it's certainly possible.
|
|
doxieluvr
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 30, 2010 11:28:59 GMT -5
Posts: 5,458
|
Post by doxieluvr on Jun 17, 2011 4:46:06 GMT -5
Wait, your husband is going to school to learn to be an auto mechanic? From my experience, and for a girl, I ain't bad under the hood, good mechanics do not need schooling. Does your husband already know his way around the car? Car repair comes down to common sense with a little mechanical apptitude thrown in. You can't learn mechanical aptitude. The mechanics in my life have been working on stuff since they were just out of diapers. We took apart lawn mowers and junk cars in elementary school. I built a car when I was 18. My ex is one of the top mechanics for cummins. They fly him all over the world to diagnose issues, and he has never gone to school to be a mechanic. Not certified either. He is a welder by trade, cars were his hobby. He figured out he could make more money working on cars. My dh tries so hard to work on things. I will diagnose something and he will change out the parts. Most of the time, my dad or I have to tweak things. For example, jeep was dead, and dh was trying to jump start it and had the cables hooked up wrong. This is common sense. My point is not everyone is cut out for being a mechanic. If your husband does not already possess basic mechanical skills, tell to hang it up now, and do not waste money on schooling.
|
|
midjd
Administrator
Your Money Admin
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:09:23 GMT -5
Posts: 17,720
|
Post by midjd on Jun 17, 2011 8:01:46 GMT -5
Thanks, Beerfan - PM headed your way. Doxie, I agree that a mechanic doesn't necessarily need a degree, and it does seem to be one of those things where you've either got it or you don't. DH is excellent at fixing/building/installing things, but is entirely self-taught and doesn't know a lot about car repair (he is learning quickly, though... replaced a radiator last weekend, it cost $75 and a beer, and my car is running great ). I think even taking the degree out of the equation, the education is a good investment because it's giving him the knowledge to apply his skills. Just glad it's him and not me, I'm one of those who will hook the battery cables up in reverse...
|
|
doxieluvr
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 30, 2010 11:28:59 GMT -5
Posts: 5,458
|
Post by doxieluvr on Jun 17, 2011 8:25:02 GMT -5
Mid, self taught is fine. I utilize google and you tube all the time. I would never pay to go to school to be a mechanic. I could get a job tommorow in that industry without schooling if i wanted to turn wrenches for a living. I struggle with this, i want to stick with traditional woman careers, when i could easily make better money driving a truck or repairing cars or even semis.
|
|
CarolinaKat
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 16:10:37 GMT -5
Posts: 6,364
|
Post by CarolinaKat on Jun 17, 2011 8:33:46 GMT -5
Going to school will help him get hired if he's going to try and work for a dealership/existing mechanic. He doesn't have the years of experience that would substitute for a degree, so this is a way for him to get his foot in the door. He's doing a great thing mid. FWIW, my Grandfather was a mechanic (had his own shop) and my DBF is a diesel mechanic.
|
|
Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jun 17, 2011 8:54:12 GMT -5
Mid, self taught is fine. I utilize google and you tube all the time. I would never pay to go to school to be a mechanic. I could get a job tommorow in that industry without schooling if i wanted to turn wrenches for a living. I struggle with this, i want to stick with traditional woman careers, when i could easily make better money driving a truck or repairing cars or even semis. Here, the City is requiring licensing for all mechanic shops. I don't know if they require degrees/certifications for the actual mechanics though. My mechanic continues to take classes and such as offered/suggested by the manufacturers so he can keep up with newer cars.
|
|
midjd
Administrator
Your Money Admin
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:09:23 GMT -5
Posts: 17,720
|
Post by midjd on Jun 17, 2011 12:19:34 GMT -5
Update - I talked to my mom about the auto insurance. Apparently the good-student discount phases out after age 25, but by removing collision coverage on my car, I will save $150/year, so I went ahead and did that.
Didn't get home until super late last night, so haven't gotten a chance to talk to DH about cutting the cable. I think he will be amenable, though.
I also called the mortgage company this morning and explained the escrow situation... someone is supposed to call me back this afternoon. If they adjust escrow, that'll be an extra $60-$80 month - so with that, the lowered insurance, and $40 less for TV (plus $30 less for the cell phone beginning in September), we should be able to cover things for the next year. Beerfan has also given me some great suggestions for side income using my degree.
Thanks to everyone again. I'm not sure what I was expecting (part of me kind of thought, "I've been reading YM for years, what are they going to tell me that I don't already know?"), but this has more than exceeded my expectations! And there are a lot of things I realized were taking place, but didn't really spend much time thinking of, like the escrow issue. I really appreciate the advice and support.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Jun 17, 2011 16:00:49 GMT -5
Here are some ways I cut some expenses without sacrificing my lifestyle: *Cut cable and picked up netflix/internet streaming (kept internet plan)~ new payment $10/month = savings $100/month *Shopped homeowners insurance and switched from statefarm to a mutual assurance co (same exact coverage)~ new payment: 100/year = savings $450/year *Switched from AT&T wireless to Virgin Mobile~ new payment $26.75/month = savings $20/month Total savings is $1890/year. I have better homeowners insurance, a better cell phone plan and sufficient TV entertainment. These are the decisions I like to make
|
|
startsmart
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 12:45:52 GMT -5
Posts: 4,504
|
Post by startsmart on Jun 17, 2011 16:50:15 GMT -5
Also going to email my mom (who doubles as my insurance agent) to see about the good student discount. This threw up major red flags. Whenever you deal with family it's hard to switch for the sake of finances. Last Feb I made it my mission to reduce all expenses and called 8 different companies to get quotes. Write down you basic answers because all of the questions are the same. Then go with the cheapest, even if it's not family. If it helps have DH do the calls in his free time. Also call your phone/internet provider and ask if they have any promotional discounts they can apply. I know you mentioned you're rural and it's hard to find a competitive rate but if you tell them you can't afford $70/month and get a lower rate, even temporarily, it'll give you some space. When finances are tight I had to swap convenience for cash. So cleaning rags instead of paper towels, cloth napkins instead of paper, bake from scratch and drink water. It's not fun but it can be done. Don't forget that you can share your lawyering skills without taking outside clients (if your current job forbids it). You could pick up one student for LSAT tutoring each season, become an off hours law school consultant or write articles for lawyerist.com Also DH can work before his certifications are in. Say oil changes - match the car place in town and have DH do the work on site. I would have gladly paid $40 to have someone come up to my office and do the oil change so I wouldn't have to sit around wasting time. Even if he could do 2 per month that would go a long way to cover the shortage.
|
|
raeoflyte
Senior Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 15:43:53 GMT -5
Posts: 14,989
|
Post by raeoflyte on Jun 17, 2011 16:56:59 GMT -5
Also DH can work before his certifications are in. Say oil changes - match the car place in town and have DH do the work on site. I would have gladly paid $40 to have someone come up to my office and do the oil change so I wouldn't have to sit around wasting time. Even if he could do 2 per month that would go a long way to cover the shortage.
I LOVE this idea! Reminds me I'm overdue...
|
|
midjd
Administrator
Your Money Admin
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:09:23 GMT -5
Posts: 17,720
|
Post by midjd on Jun 18, 2011 13:08:22 GMT -5
Yeah, it's not an ideal situation. She's not an agent for just one company, though (e.g. Allstate) - her agency routes customers to Progressive, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, and a ton of other insurers. I feel fairly confident we've got about the best rate we can get. Before we bought the house, our car insurance was through Progressive... we got a steep discount on the home insurance rate by switching to our current insurer, but the auto rate went up a bit. All in all, we're paying $50 month to insure $265K replacement value of the house, and $85/month to insure 3 vehicles, one of which we're trying to sell.
The oil change idea is a great one! I never thought of something like that.
|
|
startsmart
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 12:45:52 GMT -5
Posts: 4,504
|
Post by startsmart on Jun 19, 2011 18:22:25 GMT -5
The oil change idea is a great one! I never thought of something like that. Here's the real reasoning behind that idea OP... let's say DH gets 1 new client every month until he graduates in Aug 2012 and each of those clients does 4 oil changes/year (every 3 months). That's 38 in a year or 4 per month after the 4th month. Not really overwhelming for the amount of work. He can price them at expenses + $20 since the amount of oil and cost of oil filters vary. So it looks like $20/job and 4 per month = $100/month. Big deal right? Well when your DH graduates he's going to go look for a job. Like everyone else in his class. And when he goes to a shop he's going to tell them "I have a dozen clients who come to me for oil changes. Let's give them a coupon to visit me at your shop for their car needs. People will travel cross state lines for a reputable mechanic. And if they need more work done they'll come to the shop." Now your DH is an asset, he's bringing in business before he's hired! And 1 new client per month is the least your DH can probably do once word gets out. When he goes into the office to return the owner's car keys he can let others how to contact him for an appointment. If he doubles that and gets 2 clients per month he can bring in $160 for just a few hours time.
|
|