[Anonymous]

I just started working for one of the big4s. My problem is I am having a tough time making ends meet financially. I have already trimmed my spending by packing lunch, eating out less (I eat ramen noodles and eggs for dinner several times a week), and getting a lower cellphone plan. The extra expenses of gas and parking fees are taking a toll. I don’t have any unnecessary monthly spendings (car payment, insurance, utilities, and rent). For the past month, I have spent over $400 on gas and parking alone. I still have not factored my student loan payments that are about to start pretty soon. I am netting less than my previous job in which I get paid hourly, and I am getting taxed way more :(. I knew that I was only taking a small pay cut when I took the job, but I did not expect the extra costs that are not reimbursed. I wanted to get a part time job, but it will be a problem once busy season kicks in, and I am still studying for the CPA exam. Any tips on earning and saving more money?

[Anonymous]

Seattleaccountant: Cellphone is my personal phone, and I also have a work phone. Parking fees are not reimbursed when it is at the main office. The client's parking is free, but I was needed more at the main office. I wish I can split parking with someone, but then, I don't know anyone that has the same schedule as me that lives along my route to the office.

CPAEP: I'll be selling my textbooks on Amazon, and looks like I will be gaining a tank of gas when it's all sold (sucks that new editions come out each year, making textbooks become worthless after a year). I don't really have anything to sell on Ebay.

LSNYC: Public transportation is not an option because they want you to be able to drive to a client on a short notice.

[Anonymous]

I hope I am wrong in saying this but basically you are paying to park at your main offices at a premium. And you are not given an allowance to park close to work while you are there. Is there way you can park a little further for free and walk to work if its a mile or two. I know in winter it will be gruesome.

And you wonder why the people in our country are getting less and less educated, because whats the use of a degree and designation worth with a bad credit score (good companies check that to see if you are a risk factor trade secrets and all), and you cant pay your bills. Employers are taking advantage come on there must be something they can do. I think sometimes my accounting degree is overrated when someone without one can make a ton of money no student loans.

[Anonymous]

I hope I am wrong in saying this but basically you are paying to park at your main offices at a premium. And you are not given an allowance to park close to work while you are there. Is there way you can park a little further for free and walk to work if its a mile or two. I know in winter it will be gruesome.

And you wonder why the people in our country are getting less and less educated, because whats the use of a degree and designation worth with a bad credit score (good companies check that to see if you are a risk factor trade secrets and all), and you cant pay your bills. Employers are taking advantage come on there must be something they can do. I think sometimes my accounting degree is overrated when someone without one can make a ton of money no student loans.

[acamp]

I've never heard of a firm requiring you to drive to the office–especially where parking is expensive. I would talk to scheduling or your adviser to see what options are available. Almost nobody drives to our office in S.F., as its $25+ per day, it would really add up

Also, what's your car payment/size of the note?

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

I've never heard of a firm requiring you to drive to the office–especially where parking is expensive. I would talk to scheduling or your adviser to see what options are available. Almost nobody drives to our office in S.F., as its $25+ per day, it would really add up

Also, what's your car payment/size of the note?

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Anonymous]

You might have to consider combining your personal + work cell phone.

Look into the income based repayment plan for your student loan. I don't know what else >_>.

[Anonymous]

You might have to consider combining your personal + work cell phone.

Look into the income based repayment plan for your student loan. I don't know what else >_>.

[Anonymous]

Do you have friends with small business? or probably friends with small public practice firms?

I would search a job as a contractor (selling my time per hour) so I could fit with my current job and giving that extra mile in the other source.

Other thing you can do is opening your own consulting firm part time: you can help out to small biz with their accounting and taxes, if you dnt have money try to search a possible investor and share the profits with him/her. Probably you wil gain more than asking loan to your family or friends or working in any part time job.

Wish you good luck!

[Anonymous]

Do you have friends with small business? or probably friends with small public practice firms?

I would search a job as a contractor (selling my time per hour) so I could fit with my current job and giving that extra mile in the other source.

Other thing you can do is opening your own consulting firm part time: you can help out to small biz with their accounting and taxes, if you dnt have money try to search a possible investor and share the profits with him/her. Probably you wil gain more than asking loan to your family or friends or working in any part time job.

Wish you good luck!

[Anonymous]

I would consider combining your work and personal cell so you don't have to pay any bills there. Both my roommates did this through their Big 4 and it hasn't been an issue. I would ask about the parking fees, I'm kind of shocked that wouldn't be reimbursed.

[Anonymous]

I would consider combining your work and personal cell so you don't have to pay any bills there. Both my roommates did this through their Big 4 and it hasn't been an issue. I would ask about the parking fees, I'm kind of shocked that wouldn't be reimbursed.

[JY]

@Dragonfruit1212. Have you considered moving a little closer to work, maybe somewhere where you wouldn't be paying as much rent as you do now?

Rent seemed to be the only expense that you can change out of the 4 expenses you mentioned. I would try to find a place closer to work and cheaper.

REG: 86 8/3/13
BEC: 85 8/31/13
FAR: 87 10/27/13
AUD: 90 11/30/13

[JY]

@Dragonfruit1212. Have you considered moving a little closer to work, maybe somewhere where you wouldn't be paying as much rent as you do now?

Rent seemed to be the only expense that you can change out of the 4 expenses you mentioned. I would try to find a place closer to work and cheaper.

REG: 86 8/3/13
BEC: 85 8/31/13
FAR: 87 10/27/13
AUD: 90 11/30/13

[Anonymous]

you could do some advertising wrap on your car like at wrapmatch? definitely pack your lunches and eat at home until you're earnings increase. my first year working i shopped exclusively at aldi and was able to get by strictly on $25-35/week on food budget. (bread, milk, eggs, turkey, nuts, veggies, chicken breast, etc.). the real trick is to make a list before you go and make sure the first time you write down the prices of the items or review the receipt when you get home so you can calculate/adjust your spending on a weekly basis. (silver lining is your diet and cooking skills may increase!) if you're paying a lot for cable/internet get rid of it and invest in a good antenna for your tv and use the local coffee shops for internet. or if internet is a must then maybe go with hulu/netflix instead of cable which is really the more expensive cost of the two. learn to say ‘no' or come up with low-cost social alternatives. the first 1-2 years working can be tough but at least get that 1st year out of the way (if possible!) and decide whether your firm is going to increase your pay or else start looking elsewhere with some good experience under your (tightened) belt. also, if you're studying for your cpa this is a great time because you have a built-in excuse to turn down social events and once you do start making more money, hopefully your studies will be over and you can actually have the free time to spend it. good luck!

[Anonymous]

you could do some advertising wrap on your car like at wrapmatch? definitely pack your lunches and eat at home until you're earnings increase. my first year working i shopped exclusively at aldi and was able to get by strictly on $25-35/week on food budget. (bread, milk, eggs, turkey, nuts, veggies, chicken breast, etc.). the real trick is to make a list before you go and make sure the first time you write down the prices of the items or review the receipt when you get home so you can calculate/adjust your spending on a weekly basis. (silver lining is your diet and cooking skills may increase!) if you're paying a lot for cable/internet get rid of it and invest in a good antenna for your tv and use the local coffee shops for internet. or if internet is a must then maybe go with hulu/netflix instead of cable which is really the more expensive cost of the two. learn to say ‘no' or come up with low-cost social alternatives. the first 1-2 years working can be tough but at least get that 1st year out of the way (if possible!) and decide whether your firm is going to increase your pay or else start looking elsewhere with some good experience under your (tightened) belt. also, if you're studying for your cpa this is a great time because you have a built-in excuse to turn down social events and once you do start making more money, hopefully your studies will be over and you can actually have the free time to spend it. good luck!

[Author]

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