Last week was pretty stressful since: (1) my files at work were being audited for my year end performance review and (2) I needed to study for my last exam to get my professional designation. I started feeling ill last Wednesday but I started feeling better as soon as the sources of my stress were eliminated. (Surprise!)
Good News #1: I passed my third and final exam Saturday. (Woo hoo!) Because of this, I should get reimbursed for $330 I fronted for my study materials. And if the company doesn't reneg on its promise, I should be getting an $800 bonus. (After taxes, it should be about $450 or so.)
Bad News #1: I was hoping to use the reimbursement and bonus money towards holiday spending. But, I was visited by Murphy twice this month. (I'll report about Murphy #2 tomorrow.) I know the right thing to do is to use this money towards paying Murphy #1 and #2 but... ummm.... I'm still debating this issue. I'll get back to this issue at a later date.
Good News #2: I also passed my audit at work. This means I should be getting some kind of bonus next March and I'm considered to be in "good standing" so I qualify for my company's generous severance if and when I get laid off.
Bad News #2: This isn't so much bad news but something I'm ashamed about. Truth be told, I probably wouldn't have passed my audit if there weren't some manipulation by some nice people at work. I really haven't been focused or motivated at work this past year since I was expecting to get laid off. I put in minimal time at work and my work product reflects it. Lay off or not, I should've been more professional. Perhaps this will be one of my New Year's resolutions.
Good News #3: The remainder of the year should be relatively stress-free with the exception of New Year's Eve.
Bad News #3: Because I was out of my normal routine this past couple of weeks, I was a bit disorganized and I completely forgot my DMV renewal was due 12/8/08. Since I missed the deadline, I had to pay a $31 late fee in addition to the $193 renewal fee. Bummer. I should really calendar my non-regular expenses from now on.
Anyhow, looks like I've got a lot to catch up on with everyone's blog from last week. Looking forward to seeing what everyone's been up to. :-D
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7 comments:
Congrats on all the 'good news' items!
(ps. I posted your 5 frugal minutes interview today)
Have a great week! :)
Great job on passing the exam. And on the positive side it looks like your good out weighs your bad.
Yay you're feeling better, how is MJ? You reminded me, the truck registration is due soon. I've been hit by the stupid late fee too, don't feel bad. Murphy has been knocking on my door too, both vehicles need work and it will be $1000 or more. I worked Sat to help pay for it.
Congrats on your work successes, let's hope the layoff fears are for nothing!
#2 just goes to show that you've mastered the most important thing about working - networking! And I think that companies should expect workers - even those who survive a round of layoffs - to feel that way after a bunch of people just lost their jobs.
As far as the extra money, I hate to be all PF-y (what is happening to me?? I'm never this responsible!), but you really should use your bonus money to take care of Murphy. It sucks, but you'll feel much better knowing that you did.
Fru: Thanks for the publicity!
Debtfree2009: Thanks. You can't even begin to imagine how boring studying for an insurance exam is!
Miss M: My other Murphy involves a car issue too. Unfortunately the lay off is a matter of when, not a matter of if at my company. :-(
Paranoid Asteroid: Haha. Never thought about the networking aspect of my "luck". Thanks for the sympathy. I feel I need to overcome the lack of motivation and be more professional, though. Thanks for being the voice of reason. I'm trying to be more responsible so this is going to be difficult.
Congrats on the good news. sorry to hear aboutyour hypochondria. Look at it this way: As someone who has no immune system and is always getting sick, you're kind of enjoying a luxury of only THINKING you're sick.
Abby: It's problematic that I'm mentally weak in dealing with stress. But I do agree with you that I am blessed to not be suffering a real chronic illness.
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