Changes & First Week of Work

 

I have just completed my first week at my new job.  It's very different and also, somehow the same.  It's litigation and that definitely makes things challenging but it is also keeps things familiar.  My boss is very responsive and pays attention to detail.  I've not had that in a long time. 

My first week was busy, lots of trainings and some hardware issues.  Everything is getting easier with each passing day. I did get some billable time in and that was nice.  A whole 6 hours on Friday! My cats keep me company during the day and working from home so far has been nice. 

It's been so long since I changed jobs.  Almost 10 years.  It feels so weird and there is so much to figure out and consider.  My goals for 2021 will change but I won't be able to figure out the changes until I settle in a little bit more. 

I need to find a short term ACA plan for 45 days until my new health insurance kicks in. Normally, I would not worry about it but with COVID, going without health insurance makes me nervous. 

My dental and vision policy from my old firm is still in place.  I will pick up those premiums and keep it in place until the dental and vision policy from my new firm kicks in.  It is through the Florida Bar and not through the old firm. 

I know I still intend to pay off my car (less than $10,000 to go!).  I will increase my retirement contributions. For now, the rest will go to savings and at the end of the year I will make a determination as to how much to pay as a lump sum on the mortgage. I would love to have a paid off house and then never have to worry about that for awhile.  If I ever decide to sell it would be nice to have a paid off house and have all that cash go to my new home. 

Even if I don't like this new firm or if things go sideways, I plan to be pretty conservative with my money so that I will have a lump sum if I need to run (or get fired). 

I've never made over 6 figures before and it's fun to dream about how my future will look.  I hope I make all the right choices and exponentially increase my net worth. I hope I made the right choice by accepting this offer and I hope that I like this job (or that it is at least tolerable). It is definitely going to be more work.  I have close to 30 cases.  One of the other attorney told me that he had 50 at one point and he was struggling to keep up.  They have added several new attorneys and the workload is okay for now. 

 I do have a client that was interested in continuing to work with me and hopefully I will get some work from him.  If I do get a case from him I will receive an origination fee of upwards of 5% of every invoice paid.  If anyone else in the firm gets a case that falls under the umbrella of that client, I will get the origination fees from those as well. That is so cool to me.  I accidently brought in a client at my old firm, an insurance adjuster who knew me told her friend at another insurance company to use me and we ended up with those cases.  I did not receive any fees for those cases. 

This is truly a whole new world! 

 

Looking Forward - Update

 

This is updated.  I had some emails inquiring about more details. Updates are in all caps. 

I did it, I quit my job.  I will begin my new job in less than 2 weeks.  It's scary jumping ship and I am having a lot of anxiety. I hope this all works out.  It's going to be a lot more work and more accountability.  I'm always so nervous about change. 

Quitting was more emotional than I thought it would be.  My bosses were shocked.  It was crazy.  My male boss (direct supervisor) called me in tears. It made me so sad and I got all choked up.  He did ask me to change my mind and stay.  It was crazy and sad. What a mess. This place can be a circus, so I guess that's what I should've expected.  My female boss was a little more angry, at first, but she sort of reigned it in and has been being nice.  I also left my assistant a card and some cash and she called me in tears, too.  Otherwise, everyone has been nice and supportive about the change.  MY BOSS DID OFFER TO MEET THE SALARY OFFERED BY THE NEW FIRM.  HE ALSO SAID HE WOULD WORK ON GETTING A RETIREMENT PLAN. I TURNED HIM DOWN BECAUSE I ALREADY HAD THOSE BENEFITS WITH THE NEW FIRM AND HE DID NOT OFFER ME ANYTHING EXTRA.  ALSO HE LIES A LOT SO I'M NOT CONVINCED THAT HIS PROMISES WOULD COME TO FRUITION. 

I have already received most of the equipment for my new job: monitors, computer, wifi booster, webcam, etc. I ordered a new desk and still have not received all of the parts necessary to put it together (I hate assembling furniture).  This has been a super frustrating process, but it was $1,500 cheaper than purchasing an almost identical desk from a furniture store. I have a brand new office chair and some office organizers. 

I have a friend who is also in the running for a new job with a $45k or so pay increase so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.  She is the most deserving and loving person.  I really hope she gets the job.  

I'm super ready to start my new job and make more money.  Come on, early retirement!