Struggling with finances... Don't know what to do anymore

[Anonymous]

Being a solo practioner is not a responsible option for someone like OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to keep your health insurance.

One law-related job you might consider (assuming you've passed the bar) is estates and trusts as a solo. Basic wills, POAs, etc. are simple and you can essentially take a class thru your state bar to get the basic training and forms. Then do the Mommy circuit and sell your services to your friends, etc. I knew a lawyer turned SAHM who turned a nice salary doing this. She "advertised" at playgroups, preschool, moms' clubs, etc.

This is a great idea, PP, but I personally would not hire someone with little to no experience in this field. I'm sure your lawyer-friend had lots of experience and was therefore able to sell her services to her friends.

[Anonymous]

http://www.reznickgroup.com/careers/current-job-openings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe your DH can join the military? He could join as an officer. I think they offer loan repayments if I'm not mistaken for certain positions. It might be an option.

Yes, JAG.

Due to current state of the job market for lawyers, being selected to serve in the JAG Corps is extremely competitive. Thus, this may not be a viable option.

[Anonymous]

Tax Administrator
Tracking Code
291050-834
Job Description
The Tax Administrator will provide support to the Tax Department in a manner that optimizes efficiency, resources, and customer satisfaction. The Tax Administrator will interact daily with different levels of personnel. Specifically, the Tax Administrator will be responsible for:



Overall Responsibilities Include:

Tax Software (GoSystem Tax RS) maintenance, troubleshooting and electronic filing of required tax returns and extensions
Coordinating the monthly Tax Calendar and Extension Process including Document Management (GoFileRoom) Maintenance
Supervising tax assembly team, ensuring development of skills and providing day-to-day management
Overseeing workflow of the team to ensure timeliness, accuracy and acceptable work distribution across the team
Training of assembly team and tax professionals on changes in business processes, and best practices
Liaison with Tax professionals at all levels regarding status of returns
Posting or emailing draft/final tax returns for client or investor review
Overseeing the tax software billing process
Various tax administrative projects throughout the year
Required Skills
Essential Experience (special skills and experience, licenses, certifications, and education)

Minimum of Associate’s degree or equivalent work experience.
Prior team supervisory experience required.
Must have flexibility in work schedule and be available to work beyond standard work hours as needed. From January thru April, Saturday hours are required. Possible Saturday hours during September and October final deadlines. Exceptional attendance track record in prior employment necessary.
1+ years of experience with tax returns a plus.
Ability to self review with great attention to detail.
Strong organizational and customer service skills.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to effectively work independently and handle multiple tasks within targeted deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to successfully handle administrative details and routine day-to-day issues independently, assuming responsibility without direct supervision.
Job Location
Bethesda, MD, US.
Position Type
Full-Time/Regular

[Anonymous]

Could you do the job of a paralegal?

[Anonymous]

OP, you sound like you lost a lot of self-confidence going through law school and earning poor grades. it sounds like you did really well in high school and as an undergraduate, and you were accustomed to scoring well on exams, but then something happened and you were unprepared for getting poor grades. Looking through the possible timeline, as you mentioned you had "children" I'm guessing that you must have gotten married before/during law school and had kids right away? if so, wow, so understandable that your life changed and studying became much more difficult.

You seem to have this attitude now that your grades in law school were awful, you aren't worth much as an employee, and when you go on interviews, you feel really embarassed by your lack of good grads, and now by your lack of experience.

You also seem to think that you have to have a plan all figured out. Why work temp if it isn't leading to anything in the future? This is probably also a result of your early, goal-oriented upbringing.

DCUM is probably not the best palce for you to work through these issues -- but I really think you need to work through them. As a few posters have been saying -- if you need to net $500/month minimum, document review plus an inexpensive child care might be the best way to do that. Even if it doesn't lead to any law career. Your very high school loans really preclude making a major career change right now.

[Anonymous]

What about working at night? Like try Right Time, see if they are hiring, you wouldn't need any child care. http://www.myrighttime.com/righttime-job-openings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about working at night? Like try Right Time, see if they are hiring, you wouldn't need any child care. http://www.myrighttime.com/righttime-job-openings

Or at a hospital checking in patients?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about working at night? Like try Right Time, see if they are hiring, you wouldn't need any child care. http://www.myrighttime.com/righttime-job-openings

Or at a hospital checking in patients?

Or being a "sitter" in the hospital - you just sit and watch patients and you can work nights and weekends. You provide no medical care.

[Anonymous]

I posted earlier and was sympathetic.... I still am since I believe NO ONE should have the option to take out $180K worth of loans, much less $370K for a couple.

But reading your later comments and your "outing" yourself, I kind of think you are a drama queen and you need to grow up. You've had more advantages than many. You need to do what MANY people are doing- document review, and as much OT as possible. And get a relative to come live with you (a grandparent) to help with childcare. Live in a cheap apartment and do free things with the family for fun. And chip away at the loans so that you can have a future. You could be making $80-90K doing document review, so $145-155K income between you- that can chip away at the loans, absolutely.

Also, not only is it irresponsible to rack up $370K in school loans... it is also irresponsible to have two children when you hadn't thought through the financial consequences.

I'm another law school grad not too much older than you (born 1982)-- I have several friends who are putting off having children due to debt issues. I am thankful to have gotten through law school without soul-sucking debt (though I've had other crosses to bear in my life)--- but I want to be better situated financially and career-wise before having kids. I've looked at daycare and preschool costs, and they can easily exceed $1200-1300/month. DH and I are inclined to think we'd want a child to be in kindergarten (so no more daycare bills) before considering having a second child, and we're thinking maybe just one, and maybe adopt (from the US) a couple years later.

One of my co-worker went to law school later, and is now 34 going on 35, and says she can't even think of having kids due to high private loans for herself and her husband. We are federal government attorneys.

Not to beat you up too much, and children are certainly more important than anything else in this world but--- yes, I do think it is irresponsible to have two kids (not just one, even), without being able to bear the expenses. Many people are paying on their loans, and/or delaying having a baby (much less two babies), until they can afford to meet their obligations.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here- While I sympathize with OP, it's really frustrating for us nannies when everytime people become unemployed, they just tap into the childcare market. I am a career nanny, studied early childhood education, speak 4 languages, and work very hard to be an excellent childcare provider. It's hard enough out there,without people unemployed trying to take away jobs from us.

[Anonymous]

I moved away from my home country and left my student loans and bad credit behind. 11 years later, nothing happened. They called for a few years, but that was it. I'm not proud of myself, but it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I posted earlier and was sympathetic.... I still am since I believe NO ONE should have the option to take out $180K worth of loans, much less $370K for a couple.

But reading your later comments and your "outing" yourself, I kind of think you are a drama queen and you need to grow up. You've had more advantages than many. You need to do what MANY people are doing- document review, and as much OT as possible. And get a relative to come live with you (a grandparent) to help with childcare. Live in a cheap apartment and do free things with the family for fun. And chip away at the loans so that you can have a future. You could be making $80-90K doing document review, so $145-155K income between you- that can chip away at the loans, absolutely.

Also, not only is it irresponsible to rack up $370K in school loans... it is also irresponsible to have two children when you hadn't thought through the financial consequences.

I'm another law school grad not too much older than you (born 1982)-- I have several friends who are putting off having children due to debt issues. I am thankful to have gotten through law school without soul-sucking debt (though I've had other crosses to bear in my life)--- but I want to be better situated financially and career-wise before having kids. I've looked at daycare and preschool costs, and they can easily exceed $1200-1300/month. DH and I are inclined to think we'd want a child to be in kindergarten (so no more daycare bills) before considering having a second child, and we're thinking maybe just one, and maybe adopt (from the US) a couple years later.

One of my co-worker went to law school later, and is now 34 going on 35, and says she can't even think of having kids due to high private loans for herself and her husband. We are federal government attorneys.

Not to beat you up too much, and children are certainly more important than anything else in this world but--- yes, I do think it is irresponsible to have two kids (not just one, even), without being able to bear the expenses. Many people are paying on their loans, and/or delaying having a baby (much less two babies), until they can afford to meet their obligations.

I know you think you are be uber responsible and sincere but for a reality check - daycare cost do not stop once a kid goes to school - in fact, they are close to what I was paying for full year care its just spread out - now I have before/after care and then there are several weeks of summer camp.

Adoption - estimate $40K now ... in a few years, it would like creep up a few thousand more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I moved away from my home country and left my student loans and bad credit behind. 11 years later, nothing happened. They called for a few years, but that was it. I'm not proud of myself, but it is what it is.

What are you saying? That OP should just bolt and leave the US? Without even getting into the ethics of this, the reality is that most people in this situation may be able to leave behind loans and bad credit, but they can't escape their own poor judgment. The same failings that get someone into a bad situation will lead to yet more problems--usually. Furthermore, look down the line to when one day you want to return or somehow this catches up with you. Depending on the country, I'm not so sure you can really escape the debts forever, especially if it's fleeing the US.