Author Topic: Updated Success at 30  (Read 4473 times)

Nurse_Nash

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Updated Success at 30
« on: April 06, 2018, 09:35:41 AM »
So I just turned 30 in March - later than some when it comes to changing careers for the better - but I'm very happy with my decision.
The last I posted was January regarding the changes I had made to my personal life. I realized I was spending hundreds of mula ($$$) at Starbucks for daily coffees and eating out often...each month...not year. I also accumulated $9000K in credit card debt since starting Nursing School in 2016.

I know. I'm an asshat.

Since reading success of Mr. Money Mustache and other's who follow, I cut down significantly on my spending and successfully altered my path towards my new career, my health and fitness, and ultimately my financial freedom. Career change and going through college a second time made no sense if I didn't change my habits. Drinking starbucks coffee daily and eating out for lunches and dinners didn't help my pockets nor my health. I was actually labelled "overweight". Ouch, fool. That stings.


So here are the updates:

Credit Card Debt:  Remaining  $5817.32   
         Not down much from the $6000 I got it to back in January. Since my school's semester kicked in full gear,  I was no longer able
         to keep up with working the overtime, acquiring holiday pay, etc...But I'm still making progress slowly. I don't use them anymore.
         I only use cash. I basically gave myself an allowance like a 12 year old little girl. Who needs their trash taken out?

Tuition: $0
         I landed a grant and a scholarship that covers my remaining summer (May - August) classes. In Jan, I dropped my tuition from
         $1300 to $890 and now 0 through careful and painful scholarship and grant searching and collaboration with my student advisors.

I quit my job.
         Shocking, ya? Actually, it's because I landed a paid intership at a local and well-known Level 1 trauma hospital in a surgical unit.
         This meant I took a 50% paycut to benefit my future career once I graduate as a registered nurse in the next few short months.
         My previous career had nothing to do with my goals anymore.

I still don't have a car!
         Live in suburbs.  I walk to places 90% of the time except my clinical sites since they can range anywhere from 25 to 100 miles
         ONE WAY. Yikes. For this, I simply borrowed a car from my boyfriend and paid for the use, gas, and maintenance of that day.
         This was cheaper than paying over $500 a month in car expenses (Insurance, gas, maintenance, tolls, etc)
         Recieved clinical assignment for next 2 rotations and I'll be LOCAL! HUZZAH! The hospital is only 3 miles from my house.
         I believe I shall be walking/run commuting now. <3

Health and Fitness:
         Competed in my first-ever powerlifting meet at 30.
         Before I cut the junk and starting eating right: Squat/Bench/Deadlift 1 rep maxes: 185 lbs / 75lbs / 225 lb
         AFTER I cut the junk and started eating right:  Squat/Bench/Deadlift 1 rep Maxes - Competition 280 lbs/110lbs/315 lbs
         (women like to lift heavy too!) - Its amazing what you can do if you don't eat like total shit and focus on real training.
         Old Body weight: 154 lbs (BMI 26.4)
         Current weight this morning 140.8 (BMI 24.2)

Mostly posting to keep myself accountable and pushing forward. The credit cards are still my challenge but progress is certainly being made as time goes. My goal is to pay them off an additional 40% by the time I graudate now that my tuition is covered.

I'm certainly interested in hearing more of other people's success. So I'm off to read through more bad-ass work-of-art from everyone.

Sincerely,
Nurse Nash 


Stachless

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Re: Updated Success at 30
« Reply #1 on: April 06, 2018, 03:14:28 PM »
You go Nurse Nash - awesome stuff!!!!!!!!


P.S. After eyeing your recent one rep maxes, please do not ever face punch me.  Thanks!

sanderh

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Re: Updated Success at 30
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2018, 12:03:01 AM »
Those are some awesome updates! Keep 'em coming, they are inspirational.

marty998

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Re: Updated Success at 30
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2018, 02:18:51 AM »
You go Nurse Nash - awesome stuff!!!!!!!!


P.S. After eyeing your recent one rep maxes, please do not ever face punch me.  Thanks!

I had to do some mental gymnastics to convert those numbers to kilograms and then my eyes popped out of my head. Seriously impressive!

Well done cutting the car costs, and hopefully you are not paying too much in CC interest and charges.

Morning Glory

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Re: Updated Success at 30
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2018, 05:34:29 AM »
Congratulations you are doing great!!! This might be unsolicited advice but can you get a 0% balance transfer offer on those cards? Otherwise look into a federal subsidized student loan to pay off the cc debt. Subsidized loans don't begin to accrue any interest until six months after you graduate, and you could probably pay it off before the six months expires at your new salary.

ginjaninja

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Re: Updated Success at 30
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2018, 03:37:52 PM »
It is awesome to see all of your hard work paying off!  Keep it up.

dacalo

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Re: Updated Success at 30
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2018, 03:17:07 PM »
I also accumulated $9000K in credit card debt since starting Nursing School in 2016.


I certainly hope not.

chriskerup

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Re: Updated Success at 30
« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2018, 12:41:04 AM »
So glad to hear this.

Raymond Reddington

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Re: Updated Success at 30
« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2018, 12:50:31 AM »
Congratulations you are doing great!!! This might be unsolicited advice but can you get a 0% balance transfer offer on those cards? Otherwise look into a federal subsidized student loan to pay off the cc debt. Subsidized loans don't begin to accrue any interest until six months after you graduate, and you could probably pay it off before the six months expires at your new salary.

I'd second the balance transfer part...it's worth looking into. Extra bonus if the new card also offers cash back. Then, if you can, charge the necessities only and keep working away at the debt while not paying any interest. Any cash back you receive, you can apply towards the credit card balance as a statement credit. Look into Chase Freedom unlimited, as I believe it offers 1.5% cash back, a $150 credit if you spend 500 in 3 months, and 0% APR on balance transfers for a year or so.

flower_girl

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Re: Updated Success at 30
« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2018, 04:15:54 AM »
Impressive!  Well done :)

Rhinodad

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Re: Updated Success at 30
« Reply #10 on: August 03, 2018, 06:26:26 AM »
But...but...lifting heavy weights will make women bulky:P

Seriously great job. Not sure if you follow anyone, but Jordan Feigenbaum and Barbell Medicine are great resources for lifting/programming. I find it amazing how 1 positive change leads to the next positive change, and so on and so forth. It really does become like an avalanche of goodness.