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Home > Taxes Finished and a Whole New Kink

Taxes Finished and a Whole New Kink

April 15th, 2015 at 03:11 pm

So I filed my federal and state tax returns on Monday, and got my local forms handed in yesterday - just under the wire! I'm not one of those people that tends to complain about the "government taking my money." I completely understand the value of giving back for the greater good, and though our system is defective at best, it's important.

That being said... ouch. Better planning for 2015 is in order. And I really need to get an accountant for next year.

***

Today has already been a bit stressful. My fiance can't stand his job, and he's been back and forth on what he wants to do about it. He really has 3 general options - he can stay working his current job (which is really not an option, he's miserable). He could take back his previous job at the same place - an offer that was made to him by his old boss. The only catch here is that he would be expected to stay on for at least 2 years (understandable). We're planning to move a year from now, and he was told that he could work his second year remotely. To me, this is a no-brainer decision. He wasn't terribly excited by his last job, but it paid well, he had reasonable hours, and he wasn't stressed all the time. Beyond that, having reliable income lined up while we're getting adjusted in the new city brings an incredible amount of security to that situation. But he's not excited by what he's doing and doesn't really care for the industry he's in. Part of me just wants to tell him to get over it... because honestly, he's got it so good there. Most people I know aren't working their dream jobs. They're working a job that allows them to live the lifestyle they want. And his job would more than do that. But then again, I want to be supportive and of course want him to work a job that he loves and is excited over.

But that brings us to option 3 - leaving the bank he works for, and the financial industry, altogether. I'm all for that, but he's got no plan. He hasn't even begun looking at other jobs, and wants to tell his boss he's leaving in 2 months. Because for whatever reason he needs there to be a definitive end date to "light a fire" under him to start looking. What?!

I get that he wants out of his job, but he's got to think a little longer term than that. I feel like he should at least have an idea of what he might apply to... sigh.

He says he wants to find a job in academia. But without having a PhD or being a student, it's difficult to find research positions (what he would want). Last night he said he definitely wanted to go back to school to get his PhD (likely disrupting our moving plans, which is fine). This morning he says he definitely wants to move instead... it's just very clear that he's not terribly committed one way or another. And all the while he's depressed and feels doom and gloom that he has to stay at his company. Which is not true. He just refuses for whatever reason to start doing any research into what he wants to do.

Thankfully he's got enough put away to cover living expenses for even the rest of the year if need be - I'm not so much worried about that as I am him finding himself in another job that he's not passionate about because he haphazardly just found something that isn't what he's doing now. I don't think he's going to find peace being reactionary. And I also think he's got wildly unrealistic ideas about the kinds of jobs available out there (particularly because he hasn't actually looked for any).

So the next year is pretty uncertain at this point. haha. That being said, I know we'll figure it out. He just has to figure out what it is that he wants to do. Then we can start laying out how to get there and what makes sense in the short term.

It's just so painful to see him stressed and overwhelmed. So I hope we figure it out sooner than later. In the end, his happiness is what is important. Everything else is just details.

3 Responses to “Taxes Finished and a Whole New Kink”

  1. Kiki Says:
    1429116430

    As part of moving forward, what universities or colleges are in your next town or area that offer PhD. programs in the subjects he is interested in?

  2. ceejay74 Says:
    1429121375

    Being "expected" to stay in a job for 2 years isn't the same thing as being REQUIRED to, right? Would it be an option to get back into his old position and then start looking/planning hardcore for a new profession? If he finds it before the 2 years are up, I assume it's at-will employment and he can just leave. If not, at least he's in a less stressful job so hopefully has more energy to go back to school, research different professions, or whatever he needs to do to find his next path.

  3. TD Says:
    1429531791

    @Kiki: That's something that we're going to explore for sure.

    @ceejay74: Exactly - he's not going to technically be required to, but he would feel guilty agreeing to it and then moving on quickly. That being said, I think having 2 years to figure out that path would be great for him. It might take him that long to really understand what his options are and what he wants.

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