August 4, 2009: 752 PM
To put it
simply.. Debt Sucks.. I really didn't realize this until two
years ago after I graduated from Grad school with a degree
in Physician Assistant Studies. Following graduation, the
six month grace period on my student loans expired and I was
left to start repaying $ 136,000 for two years (six
semesters) of college. Now you are probably saying.. "well
that is what happens when you go to graduate school."
Unfortunately, prior to entering graduate school, I was a
successful accountant who already obtained a Bachelor's of
Science in Accounting at Penn State University and had less
than $2,000 worth of student loans left to pay back with an
established position in an engineering firm working 40 hours
a week.
I decided
to venture back to obtain a medical degree after my life
experience battling cystic fibrosis and going through a
double lung transplant. Shortly, after getting released from
the hospital, I decided my life was better served helping
other patients deal with their medical problems than for me
to sit behind a desk collecting dust. After making my
decision, I applied at a local community college to retake
science courses in which I did not have to take while
pursuing my Accounting degree. After 2 1/2 years of
re-taking classes, I was accepted at a College in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I started down the path of
success in medicine. In August 2007, I graduated from
Chatham and in September, was hired as a physician assistant
in Transplant Medicine....more to follow...
November
1, 2009: 1:05 PM
Venturing
forward.. you're probably wondering why I decided to go from
being a successful accountant with no debt into the field of
medicine.. I have cystic fibrosis and had to undergo a
double lung transplant. After my transplant, I figured I
could help other patient's who are going similar problems.
After I graduated with my Master's degree. little did
I know that the total cost of the education and salary did
not correlate very well. Trying to manage rent, a car
payment, student debt, and credit card payments on roughly $
75,000 a year is not easy. The only form of entertainment I
enjoy .. ice hockey.. adds to the debt as well. I had
decided to buy season tickets to the Pittsburgh Penguins a
few years ago.. Front row seats... so close you can touch
the puck or the opposing coach.. you just can beat that.
Other that the hockey tickets, I really don't care to spend
cash on other things. I'm not into possessions....
Now back to
the debt situation... As of now I have $ 134,950 in
student loans, $ 34,000 roughly in credit card debt, and $
7,250 left on my car loan.. Rent is roughly $ 985 per month.
Buying a house at this moment is out of the question. So,
what are my options... As I often ponder.. {why did I change
careers?} sometimes dreams of different careers or
visions of happiness are often skewed by the reality of
other factors.. including debt. more to
follow...
November
7, 2009: 6:07 PM
Well.. the
weekend is here at last and its time to take a break from
work, watch a little college football and hockey and work on
some websites. As far as the debt, I did manage to do a
balance transfer from one of my credit card to another with
a low promotion 1.99% rate through July 2011. I will
then close the other credit card and just make a large
payment an not having to worry about a fourth credit card
payment a month. LOL
My other
objective is to work on advertising for my websites and do a
little web promotion and recruit some more link
reciprocations and throw some debt tools on this site.
Please be patience as I am trying to make this site more
appealing. If you have any feedback on what you would
like to see, please just email me.
