Starting Over...

10%!

Holy Crap! I just got my official offer from HR today. I'm slated for a 10% raise. Factor in the fact that I'll be getting the 4% state mandated raise this coming January too, and you've got quite a lucrative arrangement.

I'm still not out of the water finacially. The current grant is supposed to last until 2009, but it's already been renewed at least once at 5 years a pop! I'm going to be able to up my car payments and begin putting money into retirement. I also plan to have a Hell of an emergency fund come 2009 (as in 6 mos. salary, if I can swing it). I can't pretend that the grant not being renewed isn't a possibility, even if Dr. S- is an NIH darling. I might not be able to find another job in research at UVA if noone can match my salary. They don't let you opt for a salary decrease unless you drop a position level too. Screw that! If the grant isn't renewed then I'll have to relocate, most likely to The Research Triangle Park in NC. I'll be sure I have the funds to do it.

I've been thinking about school again, vet school specifically. I don't know if it would be worth the investment financially, though. I'll certainly take classes to improve my knowledge in my current field, and that knowledge would be applicable to vet school even if the credits don't transfer. It's a tough thing to do on your own. I will be a couple of years before I'm in a position to think about it seriously.

There's always the old stand-by, a Masters Degree that will allow me to teach at the Community College level. That might be the most doable in terms of going to school part time. I just want to be happy, I guess. Money doesn't buy happiness, but my money problems have made life pretty miserable these last few years. I'm not an ambitious person, per se, but I do like to be challeged. Provided I'm compensated accordingly.