On We Were Poor, And College Was The Answer to All My Problems (Right?)

@jessjess Just keep in mind that the program started in October 2007, so it's only payments made since the program started. 120 payments would put you at loan forgiveness in 2017, at the earliest. My date is somewhere around November 2019...at least I know it's coming!

Posted on April 15, 2013 at 11:58 am 0

On Is the U.S. Facing a Shortage of Factory Workers?

I wouldn't, only because I make $29/hr at my already mind-numbing gov't job.

Posted on March 18, 2013 at 11:43 am 0

On WWYD: The Obnoxious Coworker

I work with a version of this. I work in IT, and there are a lot of socially awkward people anyway, but this guy takes the cake. He is nearly 70 years old, and works in the cubicle next to mine. He farts loudly at his desk, then sprays cheap aerosol air freshener to cover it. According to my male co-workers, he shaves in the work bathroom while only wearing a wife beater. His desk is a disaster zone (papers all over the desk and floor). He barges into my cubicle to ask questions, while I am on the phone with a customer. I could keep going, but let's just say I'm glad I now work at home 50% of the time.

Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:06 pm 0

On WWYD: The Resignation Clause

The "may ask" part is why I wouldn't bring it up. If they want it back, they will ask for it. The burden is on HR to ask for it, not you to offer it. But be prepared to cough it up if they do.

Posted on February 28, 2013 at 10:19 am 2

On Working From Home Not A Terrible Thing

Pretty timely, as we just got the OK to work from home (50% of the time) yesterday. I'm at home now and it's pretty awesome. I have a long-ish commute (3/4 mile walk to train plus 25 minutes on the train), so being able to sleep in a bit more and start work with a hot homemade cup of coffee is really nice. Also, my co-workers are very distracting so that is also a plus. I do remote IT assistance for a huge gov't agency, I take phone calls via my home office that are routed through a call server. It works really well!

Posted on February 28, 2013 at 10:02 am 0

On Let's Talk About What We're Going to Do with Our Tax Refunds

My refund ($1600-ish) this year went to savings, I have a potential move coming up this year (waiting to hear about the job). I adjusted my withholding already using the IRS calculator so I will get a lot less back next year, but yay for bigger paychecks.

Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:32 pm 1

On Let's Talk About What We're Going to Do with Our Tax Refunds

@polka dots vs stripes It's a reduction of your taxable income, not a tax credit. So the max deduction is $2,500, but it's not like you're lopping that off your tax bill (sorry).

Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:31 pm 0

On It's My Trigger Word

@Beans Those hoops are what keep me employed (I work for the IRS), so I would like them to stay. Don't hate me, please!

Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:28 pm 0

On You Should Get That Checked Out: Some Considerations

@LaNocciola I had anxiety and depression give me IBS-like symptoms. Once I saw a therapist for the anxiety and depression my abdominal and intestinal pain started going away. I definitely think there is a relationship between the two.

Posted on February 12, 2013 at 1:06 pm 0

On Okay, But What Do You Actually Do?

Answer the phone, fix routine software and hardware issues, in between calls/while software is installing/running/decrypting/whatever, surf the internet.

Posted on February 7, 2013 at 4:33 pm 1