Got a New Job (for Myself)
Got a New Job (for Myself)
I had been a stay-at-home mom for 15 years before starting my new career, but even then, I always found a little job to get out of the house and make a little extra spending money. I was a dog walker and house sitter for six years both in Washington, D.C. and Seattle. Having this little bit of extra income allowed us to stick with our financial goals like saving for college and retirement. Four years ago, when my spouse deployed to Afghanistan, I decided to become a certified personal trainer. It gave me some financial freedom as well as something that was just for me.
MilSpouse Money
Mission Response:
That’s awesome, Suzann! Employment for military spouses is definitely a challenge with so many moves, but it sounds like you’ve done a great job finding creative ways to supplement your family’s income. While it’s not always easy, the first step is to start with setting financial goals like you did. If others need help to get started, visit Goal Setting for some tips and resources. Once you set goals, then it’s time to take a look at your family’s spending plan. If you identify any gaps or opportunities to reach your goals faster, it might help you determine what level of income to strive for at the start. Finding a job or starting a career can be overwhelming if you don’t have some goals in mind. Break down your major goal into smaller pieces, make a plan, find your passion and get creative. Remember, whether you’re working or not, it’s important to save for YOUR retirement. Save into your own Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or a spousal IRA. To learn more, visit our Money Ready 301 Plan to Retire section.
