[Quinacridone]

I bought myself a new car. I am now the proud owner of a 2014 Mini Cooper convertible … (and 30K in debt).

Yes, I know…not the most CPA thing to do, but I really wanted it and after almost 7 years straight of working full time during the day and studies at night (BA, MAC, CPA), I decided I could reward myself.

I probably should have bought a new suit, but oh my goodness – she’s so cute sitting there in my driveway!

Anyone else reward themselves or have plans for a reward?

REG - Nov 4, 2013: 88
FAR - Feb 27, 2014: 86
AUD - April 5, 2014: 91
BEC - May 6, 2014: 83

Florida CPA 24 July 2014
(Done in seven months - thank you Jesus!!)

[Mamabear]

We have already bought ourselves a cruise in September with our best friends and their kids. I better pass REG in July so I can enjoy the cruise without the idea of a retake in Q4 hanging over my head. This will be our first real, long vacation since I went back to school in 2010 to get the necessary accounting credits and take the CPA exam in 2013-2014.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Not a Quitter]

Guys wanting the BMWs…a little advice- sell it once it hits about 75k miles (or the warranty runs out). I was warned and didn't listen and I want to weep at the thought of how much money I've put into that thing not to mention it left me on the side of the interstate twice in the last year. Once I get this last issue fixed I'm selling that money pit.

FAR- 85 I'm DONE!
BEC- 75
REG- 60,60,75
AUD- 74,74,83

CPAExcel used for BEC, AUD, REG
Exam Matrix used for FAR plus NINJA Blitz, cpareviewforfree and a little CPAExcel

[Lindrobe]

I got an even better idea for you BMW people-get an Audi instead. I bought myself a new car last year and considered a BMW, but ended up ordering an Audi A5. I love it so far. I think that the styling on the new Audi's is a lot more refined and classier than the styling on the new BMWs.

Whatever car you get, consider ordering one instead of just settling for what they have on the lot. I am super picky, so it allowed me to get every single option and the exact color combo I wanted and it was so worth the 2 month wait. Considering I already went to Hawaii in March and also bought myself a brand new F150 in April, I will not be splurging on anything new to celebrate finishing the exams.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Mamabear]

^^Clearly you and I have different spending levels. 🙂 I just got a Honda Pilot because our 12 year old Honda Civic died and I swear I'm driving a luxury vehicle since the engine doesn't sound like it's going to give out every time we start it or stop at a red light. Hahaha An Audi, an F150, and a trip to Hawaii in one year? Pfff. In my dreams. I want a job where you work! 🙂

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Lindrobe]

Mamabear, I guarantee you that you make more money than me!! 🙂 The pay at my current job is awful. However, my husband makes great money. It is so backwards. My husband has no formal degree, but a ton of technical training and works in a very specialized field (medical imaging equipment). He made $150k last year. I have a bachelor's degree in accounting, an MBA, and I am almost a CPA and make $43.5k. Uggg. The benefits at my job are pretty good, so sometimes I joke around and say that I just work for the medical insurance. Ha ha. It also helps that we have no kids. 😉

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[On2Sum]

@Lindrobe Congrats. We took REG on the same day. I came on this forum and expressed despondence in my overall performance, you reassured me and said not to be too down. Well, I passed with a 76 score. Talk about a squeaker!! Thanks for the encouragement. Best of luck in all your endeavors.

FAR - 79
REG - 76
AUD - 94
BEC - 77

DONE! DONE!! DONE!!!

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts"
-Winston Churchill

[On2Sum]

FAR - 79
REG - 76
AUD - 94
BEC - 77

DONE! DONE!! DONE!!!

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts"
-Winston Churchill

[Lindrobe]

Congrats, On2Sum! I am so glad to hear that you passed! In my opinion, you have the two hardest sections out of the way, so it should all be downhill from here!

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Mamabear]

@Lindrobe–Ah. Okay I feel better now. Our dependents do not provide enough of an exemption to exceed the costs of having them. 🙂 But they're cute so I'll save my Hawaii trip for my retirement years and rock my Pilot for the next 12 years. Hahaha

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Anonymous]

IL still hasn't posted for FAR!!! I've been checking since Friday morning!! Fortunately, the drinks have been flowing to keep me calm hahah

[Anonymous]

Jrosen..Kinder, LA?? Family?? I'm in BR

[jrosen92770]

Hey Casagarber – no family, my wife and I make non tax deductible donations to the Coushatta Casino if you know what I mean.

BEC - 5/26/2013 75
REG - 8/31/2013 82
AUD - 11/24/2013 74, 2/9/2014 92
FAR - 5/25/2014 85

NY CPA

[Anonymous]

Nice…:)

[Anonymous]

Congratulations all for finishing CPA!

Hi Lindrobe, what materials did you use for REG?

[Lindrobe]

Hi Amor D. I kind of used a hodgepodge of materials. I use Fast Forward Academy text and MCQs (not very well known around here). I supplemented with Wiley MCQs, Ninja MCQs, and Ninja flashcards. I used the Ninja test bank way more than the other two though and I would highly recommend the Ninja MCQs.

Good luck, Amor D! You can do it!

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Author]

Replies