[mla1169]

I see a lot of people on this board who are very concerned that they have jobs or have kids, etc. (Actually the “working candidate” vs “at home candidate” debate seems to remind me of the working mother debate…)

If you CHOOSE not to spread yourself that thin, its totally respectable. Every person is entitled to choose how they will follow this path. But it makes my toes curl when someone says they “can’t” do this or that because of their job or kids or school.

I am not a genius, don’t have a photographic memory, and have no tricks to studying. That said, I work more than 40 hours a week (sometimes up to 60), have a 12 and 18 year old, go to school for my Masters online, and have a husband who works 2 jobs so for all practical purposes I am a single parent.

I did this by studying at lunch. Sometimes I have to use my lunch break to pick up my kids at school. I listen to the wiley audiobook while I am driving to work, to run errands, wherever.

l went home and did girl scouts, cheerleading, made dinner, cleaned up, did laundry…everything that a mom doesn’t get to skip. Then at about 9pm buckled down on schoolwork for my classes for about an hour or so, switched over to CPA review at about 10 or 10:30 and studied until after midnight.

Weekends are the KEY, I got up at 6am every Saturday and Sunday to study. Squeezed in more time during my daughters cheerleading practices, and in the evening for at least 2-3 more hours.

I did not watch a SECOND of television over the last 14 months. Not even the news. No time for it. I used my crockpot almost daily and when I did cook a real meal I doubled or tripled the recipe to freeze for another meal. Housework changed completely, kids got laundry baskets fulll of washed and unfolded/wrinkled clothes in their rooms.

During that time I lost my beloved dog, Henry 🙁 and got married to my ex husband on April Fools Day 🙂

Not patting myself on the back or bragging, just saying that regardless of anything else you’ve got to do, if you make up your mind to find ways to do this, you CAN. A job, a family, a wedding can’t get in your way unless you let it.

And if you choose to let those things derail you, be honest that it was a choice 🙂

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Minimorty]

I wholeheartedly agree with mIa. You rock, mIa!

[pacific1]

Well said mla! I think it is very easy for us to just say oh I can't do this or that because of other things going on in life but that is not true. Where there is a will there is a way. 🙂

[jomarie]

Oh mla, I so needed to read this. Thank you and now you've given me an idea about the washed clothes….lol

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[mla1169]

The other shortcut I have for laundry is that I hung a bar (like a shower curtain rod) above the washer/dryer. Everything that comes out of the dryer gets hung on a hanger (except underwear, etc) and I tell everybody in the house to go grab what goes to their closet. Anything that can't go on a hanger (like shorts) just gets tossed in a basket and in their room.

I also leave a basket at the bottom of the stairs and fill it up with shoes, papers, anything that needs to be brought upstairs but I don't want to make a dozen trips. Once a day the basket gets moved the top of the stairs and I make everybody empty out what is theirs so the basket can go back down. I also keep a basket to toss all mail in during the week and go through it on Saturday mornings after I study a bit (and have a significant amout of coffee).

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Herbieherb]

@mla yes great post. Sometimes I read other posters who want sympathy but its all self inflicted.

NEW YORK- DONE

[pacific1]

@mla, I see you used your crockpot a lot….I have been trying to incorporate using one but my meals always are a flop! Any good tried and true recipes you can share with us?

[mla1169]

Oh the family favorite is a pork roast, with 1c orange juice and 1 c craisins. So sweet and yummy!

Mix 16oz diet cola with 1c ketchup over chicken is the BEST barbeque chicken in the world.

at home I've got a recipe for crockpot meatloaf that is very good (weight watchers).

Line the crockpot w/aluminum foil before using it and cleaning it out afterward is too easy.

I even make my own yogurt in the crockpot (very easy) and now that its fall we do rice pudding which is delish as a desert on a cold night.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, mla!!!!

@pacific, I use my crockpot religiously. https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/ is an awesome source because she reviews it too, and lets you know if it's a flop! 🙂

[pacific1]

Thanks mla and erincritchfield! I will have to wait a little while as last night was my latest crock pot flop my husband begged me to not cook in it for a little while. 🙂

[Mitzie7]

Congrats mla! It is so good to hear a success story from someone whose life is similar to mine. I am glad to hear that you still made time for your kids' activities too. I don't want their brief time at home with me to go by without me being a part of it. You are a great inspiration!

AUD 74, 83
FAR 75
REG 71, 71, 70, 86!!!!!! 🙂
BEC 85

[Author]

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