...That is how much I am over budget right now. As long as I don't spend anything until Saturday. I will take it. The only reason I am over is because I found a fantastic deal on groupon for a playstation 4 and impulsively decided to go with it. The partner has wanted one for almost as long as we've been together and at $299 ($321 with tax) I felt that was as low as we'd ever find it (at least until a new one came out) So, there is my contribution to Christmas. I told him I want at least 3 pairs of fun socks wrapped for me to open in exchange 
My Net worth has decreased $1806.09 since last month. That is kind of a bummer. Good news: debt decreased by $2882.07. Bad news was assets decreased by $4688.16. Other bummer news is that I am ending the year $967.6 "poorer" than I began it even though my assets increased by $80,620.40. Thanks, mortgage
I will hopefully do better next year. I think I have set myself up to be in a much better position come tax time than I did last year. This is also the first year I maxed out my IRA so I am proud of that. The job at the university offers a better retirement plan so I am contributing way more a month than I was previously. Just enough to "feel" it. Plus, I am getting a match up to 4%.
I am getting more and more excited about the new job and more and more ready to leave the current job behind completely. My previous dream job (from age 12-26) was to join the Foreign Service. I was on track but when my mom passed away I no longer had the safety net I thought I needed, then I met my partner and he wasn't able to move with me so I adjusted my dream. I made it work and I would still be super happy if I could find that kind of position but it's not in the cards for right now. The foreign service, however, is looking more likely.
I can use the job at the university as a stepping stone to State. I can take a new language, brush up on "my" languages or take other classes while I "study" for the exam. Or maybe none of that will pan out and I will have a new direction in a year. Who knows? But I am excited now about my opportunities and am going to use the university job to somehow get me a job overseas 
$26.29
December 1st, 2015 at 08:04 pm
December 1st, 2015 at 09:44 pm 1449006288
December 2nd, 2015 at 01:50 am 1449021018
December 2nd, 2015 at 07:03 am 1449039809
December 2nd, 2015 at 07:03 am 1449039817
Good luck with the process! At this point in my professional life (41) it has become a professional goal to pass and get on the list. Would I take it? I am not sure now.
December 2nd, 2015 at 12:09 pm 1449058163
Frugal Texan- I'm interested in pursuing the public diplomacy track.
VS- thanks!
Kiki- I have already taken the written exam once and just barely failed it. It was the biographical questionnaire that got me. I met with a diplomat in residence when I was still in school and she told me some ways to approach it, plus now I have actual real life experience to talk about. The more I read about the rest of the process the more I am wondering if I am setting myself up for another potential disappointment, but I am still excited. Good luck in February!