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One Semester Down and Other Updates

July 28th, 2021 at 03:26 pm

I finished the summer semester, and am so relieved.  I definitely need a break, even if it's just for a few weeks until the fall semester starts.  I enjoyed both of my classes, but was moderately annoyed by things both instructors did.  I'm waiting for my official grades, but should be A/A- for both.  Once the grades are posted, I will submit for reimbursement.  Reimbursement funds will be directed to existing 401k loan balance. One semester down, four to go!

Not sure if I mentioned this or not, but I am also getting a bunch of credits via exam.  I took the first two of those exams a few weeks ago, and the credits have appeared in my online degree progress from the school.  Through a non-profit, I was able to get the vouchers for the exam itself for free (normally $89), and they will reimburse me for the test center fee ($30 for remote proctoring x2).  I'm planning to take three more in August - the three subjects I am not as familiar with, so will have to put in a little more studying.  So far, I have tackled one already, and submitted the request for the voucher (takes a few days), and this week, hope to tackle another.  This way I have both vouchers in hand.  I did purchase an external study guide as well, where I think the real meat of the exams will be covered off on.  For the one completed, I didn't do terrrrrribly on the practice exam, but would like to feel a bit more comfortable going in.  I'd like to not waste my chance for free credits.  Later in the month, I will repeat the process for the last one this summer.  Sometime in the fall, I'll take two more, but I am confident in that subject matter, so it shouldn't be a problem to take them while in class.

Hoping that August gives me a small chance to reset and catch my breath before we start all over again.  Work is very busy and I don't feel like I have been putting in my best effort there, because I have been distracted by school.  Need to fix that and get my projects back on a strong track.  I also have a week's vacation as well as a few other random days off.  Hoping I'll be nice and refreshed by September, when it starts all over again!

In other financial news, I got a few more bank bonuses that I have been working towards.  I am still waiting on 3, and then I think I am taking a break there too.  I've kind of run out of banks that are local to me - there are 2 offers I could do, but the bonus seems meh for the amount of direct deposit I will have to direct there, so I'm undecided.  I've been using those bonuses to chunk away at credit card balances (non-consolidated).  Still hopeful to have the majority paid off by the end of the year, with the exception of a furniture store on a fixed promotion.  I'd like to pay it off, but not at the expense of other progress.  

I'm still waiting for a loan decision for the consolidated accounts.  Once I hear that, I can figure out the best path forward there.  If the loan terms (monthly payment and length) are close to to what I will be paying with the debt settlement company, then it's definitely a win and the math checks out.  

Everything is chugging along nicely, and though my spending is far higher than I would like it to be, it's been an abnormal month what with being away and not caring how much I spent on the trip lol.

1 Responses to “One Semester Down and Other Updates”

  1. Wink Says:
    1627564325

    You are really zipping through your degree requirements! I am glad to see you taking advantage of all the testing/exam options available. My career was at a community college and so many people didn't even realize these options existed.

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