The Financial Implications of a New Job
I have been in my job for all of two days and I can see that it’s going to have a significant impact on my financial situation. Here is a list of some of the biggies:
- A shorter commute
I am working for the same corporation, but in a different building, and my drive has changed. Instead of driving to the western suburbs, I am working downtown. This has shaved a couple of miles off my drive and makes it much easier to commute via bicycle. I am hopeful that I will be able to bike to work at least once a week.
- More dining options
At my old office, I had to drive at least a mile to a grocery store or restaurant. The building I am in now has a cafeteria and is connecting by skywalk to several other cafes and restaurants. I used to be pretty good about bringing my lunch every day. Now just a single flight of stairs separates me from a 31-cents-per-ounce salad bar.
- Dress to impress
This flies in the face of frugality, but I subscribe to the Penelope Trunk school of career advancement and I now office near a new bunch of corporate suits, so I feel that I must dress like my boss. Since my boss is a man, I am looking to the women at his level for guidance - and it looks like I’m going to need to invest in a couple new suits. I already bought a couple pairs of pants and jackets because the ones I had didn’t fit properly (I lost a size!), but I need to get at least one nice black pant suit that fits well, as well as a couple of properly tailored shirts. And jewelry. The women here wear big jewelry.
- Improved fitness facilities
There was a nice little on-site gym at my old office, but my new location offers yoga and spinning classes - for free! When my 3-month membership at the kick-boxing club expires in June, I am going to forgo renewal and stick with the free classes at work.
I got a mere 8% raise when I took this job, but I am pretty sure that I can keep my clothing budget in check and put most of my additional income towards my credit card (and then vehicle) debt, so I should come out ahead as a result of this move. We’ll see if the numbers will back that up.
Tune in tomorrow for my first quarter 2008 financial resutls show!
Stumble it!
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:32 am
For both clothing and jewelry, I would recommend taking a look at QVC. My mother-in-law has given me some really great things from there, otherwise I would still be thinking that QVC sells low-quality items. Here is the jacket and pants she recently got me that I have worn to court a couple of times now. For jewelry, I like the Honora brand pearls, and the Joan Rivers stuff is actually fairly nice if you want showy/big. Good luck! (And I think you’re doing the right thing, by the way, dressing like your boss.)
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:54 am
I am SO jealous. I live in the city and have a job that is located in the western ‘burbs, too (40-plus miles round-trip daily). I would do anything to work in the city again. Congrats!
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:05 am
This is a strange coincidence. I work at a bank with individuals similar to yourself as described in your previous positions. My department executive just left her post to work in strategy on 4/1.
Am I missing something in the strategy world? Guess I need to get on that boat, though thankfully we’re business casual in the southeast.
Goodluck in your job, I like the blog.
April 8th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I’m glad you’ve already found some benefits to your new job. Congratulations!