Head hunted - new job!

 

I have a new job!  Just today I accepted a new position with different a law firm.  I feel so overwhelmed and strange.  

I was not looking for a new job, I had resigned myself to the thought that I would just work at my current law firm until the firm shut its doors.  I was unhappy, but comfortable.  Then, last Thursday, I was contacted by a former co-worker.  She sent me a text just asking if I was available and I was.  She called and strongly advised that I meet (virtually) with her and the managing attorney. To be honest, I was somewhat resistant to the idea of an interview or changing firms.  Then suddenly, my mind changed and I said..."why not?" I agreed to set up a virtual interview for today. 

I was pretty nervous about the interview.  I don't know why.  I have a job and I am comfortable, if I did not get the job it just didn't matter. I make $90,000 a year and closer to $95,000 when I receive a bonus. Sooooo....I decided that I wanted a $125,000 offer if I went with the firm.  That was a $35,000 increase over my current salary.  However, I knew I would take anything over $110,000.  

I attended the virtual interview and it went well. I felt very comfortable.  When asked I told them I was looking for a salary in the $120,000s.  About 20 minutes later my former co-worker called me and told me they would offer me a shareholder position for $128,000 a year. That does not include year end or quarterly bonuses.

I still feel stunned and shocked.  I still am.  

My bosses will be angry when I let them know I am leaving and they will be angry to know I was head hunted by a former employee. (The former co-worker also head hunted a staff person from the South/Central Florida office). I hate that I will hurt their feelings, but I cannot turn down a $38,000 a year salary increase.  

I am equal parts excited and worried. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Dividends $$

 When the stock market dropped on Monday, I decided to purchase a few additional shares of one of my favorite ETFs. 

While in my account I decided to check out the total dividends I received in 2020.  I was surprised!  I had received $1,713 in dividends in my roth and $180 dividends in my taxable account (tax efficient investing ya'll!). I read a lot of personal finance blogs, follow several personal finance twitter accounts and a few personal finance Instagram accounts.  I tend to see many people  posting about how they plan to live off of their dividends from their retirement accounts. It is amazing how much money some people have invested and how much they receive in dividends every year.  I cannot wait until I am collecting $20,000 + a year in dividends, too! 

 

Let's Go! 2021 Goals!

 To be honest, I don't really have my heart set on many goals for 2021.  2020 was just so rough. I struggled mightily to come up with some goals and here is what I came up with: 

1. Contribute $12,000 to retirement with the goal of having $90,000 by the end of the year.  As it stands today I have approximately $71,000.  I did wake up and contribute $207 to my roth this morning!

2. Pay the mortgage down into the $160,000s. As of today the mortgage is down to $179,760.

3. Pay off my car by September.  You heard it here first, I finally bought a new car.  More details on this later. I have a 0.9% interest rate.

4. Contribute $600 to charity.  My goal was $500 last year and I increase by $100 every year. I actually contributed more than $600 last year. 

5. Increase savings to $2,500. My savings accounts were depleted by the purchase of the new car.

6. Increase EF to $15,000. As of today is is sitting at about $14,139.

What goals do you have for 2021?