September Reemployment Adventures

Since my last update might have left you waiting on pins and needles, it seems only fair to start out by saying that I have procured a job as a documentation specialist - a huge relief. In addition, I was offered an odd job that cooperates with my full-time hours, and I’ve decided to take a stab at doing both. This news was so good to us we went on an impromptu, unbudgeted dinner out (this is a tradition we have when a new offer of employment is given and accepted - it all comes out in the wash eventually). After this light-hearted frivolous expenditure, we decided to buckle down and get back to our budgets - which was a lot more fun now that there was no need to be running a deficit for the month of September. ​

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With this new job has come some tweaks to our budget. With metromile, we pay by the mile for car insurance, and I now have a half hour commute to work. While we still come out money ahead staying with this car insurance, it is certainly going to be $50-$60 more dollars a month, alongside quadrupling our gasoline bills (compared to what we have been spending in pandemic times). On the bright side, I make a dollar more per hour, so we won’t feel a significant change at those increased expenses as they are coming out of a larger pot of money. 

Because of our recent freezer purchase, I had already put some updated food containers on my wishlist for Christmas - containers that could easily hold self-contained meals that could easily go from freezer to oven without breaking. After accepting the job, we decided to not only order a set of containers (I had 5 on my list) but also order a car oven so that I can heat my breakfast on my way to work in the mornings, and then heat my lunch at work. (Depending on my levels of hangriness, I am even considering packing dinner and eating all three meals at my worksite. We have yet to determine this aspect of that adventure, so expect an update in subsequent post). 

It may also prove necessary to add some additional clothing pieces to my wardrobe to accommodate a fully professional suite of office attire, but my goal is to put off any clothing purchases until October. Since I start my position directly after Labor Day, that will give me three weeks to really take inventory of my workplace’s expectations and do a full sort-through of my clothing to determine what is work-appropriate. 

I still plan to take the CompTIA A+ exams and become certified, but taking this position has granted me the flexibility to study slowly, carefully, and deeply in preparation without intense financial pressure to succeed quickly. As a good part of my job is fairly repetitive, there is even the chance that I can gain additional computer programming skills and write scripts to perform some basic functions to improve my workflow, giving me real-world experience in programming and allowing me to pivot into more technical career options as I gain more experience. I am excited to explore the many options I have and delve into them - all, of course, with good frugal fun in mind.