Posted on by Karissa

There’s a light…

At the end of the tax season tunnel. While Friday is business return deadline and everyone is stressed, we have just over a month until freedom.

And for me, that freedom means actual weekends and Disney World.

Things have gotten to a slightly more manageable than they were. I’m settling into this senior role with all it’s weird management like responsibilities. It’s getting easier every day, but that does not mean I am less overwhelmed by it all at times.

What has really helped has been going to the gym before work. That’s right. My husband and I are getting up at 5 and going to the gym most mornings now- except on the one day a week I see my personal trainer. My mood has been a lot better and I don’t have an excuse to not go to the gym.

Also, I rock the wet braid look at work.

This week will be a challenge thanks to deadline PLUS daylight savings time. I’m already sleep deprived so let’s take away an hour on top of long days.

Good luck fellow accountants. Five weeks until the end and we can sleep until extended deadline.

Posted on by Karissa

Long Time, No Write

Hello everyone! I know I haven’t said much at all this year (I’m not counting my birthday announcement. That was like five words), but it’s officially half-way through tax season. I figured it was past time to check in.

This season is kicking my butt. The new tax laws are tough to figure out, and a lot of things have changed. My work load is probably the same as last year, but the added responsibilities I have as a senior accountant have my stress levels really high. I feel over anxious about everything- especially the little things that I can’t control. I’m exhausted. Let me put it this way: Shrek the Musical made me cry when Shrek bursts from the outhouse in the opening song. I cried because of Shrek.

But, I had a fantastic birthday. My family and husband surprised me by taking me to Agatha’s dinner theater in downtown Atlanta. The 2019 winter show is Hamilton based, and it was fantastic. Best part was they threw in some Schoolhouse Rock. I could not have asked for a better celebration.

Oh, that jacket I’m wearing? That was a gift from my brother. He MADE that. It is gorgeous and I am so sad the weather has not been nice enough to wear it. Here’s the back:

IT’S A BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JACKET. Y’all, my brother is super talented. He’s made himself a music themed leather jacket, and I think he’s making Mom a Marvel one. Dude has all the creativity I wish I had. I’m jealous.

Anyway, we are three weeks from business tax deadline and then the big tax deadline is only a month after that. I can see the Disney glow at the end of the tunnel (I get to book fastpasses Wednesday. The homesickness is real). It’s only going to get busier and crazier from here, so I would not be surprised if the next time I post is April 16th. I’ll try not to wait that long.

How’s your 2019 going? Any other accountants feel the crunch yet?

Posted on by Karissa

2018: A Reflection

Gosh, what a year. I passed the CPA exam, swam with sea turtles, started with a personal trainer, and did a bunch of stuff in between. As for my 2018 goals, let’s review together:

  • Pass the CPA exam- check!
  • Lose 10 pounds and be healthier- I could have done better here. I got really close to the goal, but I got really lazy this month which put me at half my weight goal. I did lose an average of 1.5 inches all around, and people keep telling me muscle weights more so maybe I can blame some of the weight on that. But I mostly stuck to a workout routine and ate healthier overall so I count that as a mostly win.
  • Increase monthly savings- check! I now put money into 2 different savings account at each paycheck. One is for our future house and the other is for vacations.
  • Focus more on mental health and self care- This one was a hit and miss during the year. I did get back into reading which is relaxing for me, but I did not do things like face masks and I still need to work on telling people no and removing myself from stressful situations even if it is just a ten minute break. Balance is another struggle that will need more work in the coming year, both in my work and personal lives.
  • Improve back/ posture- honestly no idea on this one. I never got my scoliosis checked (it’s been almost 15 years since I’ve had to wear a back brace) but I did yoga and wear a lumbar brace sometimes. Soooo 50/50 check?

The good:

  • Went on 3 vacations this year, two beach trips and a cruise.
  • Had a fairly food handle on finances even if Christmas went a little crazy
  • No more studying!
  • Got more serious about health goals

The bad:

  • Some issues at work that have been discussed and won’t be said here
  • Passing of family members
  • Did not won 1.6 billion lotto

The ugly:

  • Had to get new mouthguard that insurance didn’t cover but it was very needed
  • Rent and other expenses increased
  • Tax season is always ugly

So 2018 could have been a little better goal wise, but it was still a great year. I know what I need to work on in 2019, and I really hope it does not involve too many intense, serious conversations (I know I can’t avoid it in some situations, but I really hate it).

Posted on by Karissa

Post-Test Reflection

I have no stinkin’ clue on how I did. There were quite a few things on the exam that were not in my review course, so I had to answer those as best as I could. Some of it was super easy. A few things could go either way. All I know is I will be praying for a 75 every day until the 11th.

Posted on by Karissa

Fingers Are Crossed

Tomorrow I take REG! If (when) I pass I will be able to FINALLY apply for my CPA license.

I’m taking it easy tonight. Might look over a few notes, but I don’t want to cram and tire out my brain. The test isn’t until noon, so I will sleep in a little bit and go to the gym before hand. Afterwards my awesome husband is ordering Chinese food and I will enjoy the post test coma that comes with these things.

Test scores come out December 11th, so cross your fingers and wish me luck!

Posted on by Karissa

The Final Countdown

I take REG on Friday. My last section of the CPA exam. I won’t find out my score until Dec. 11, so I am really hoping Santa will grant my Christmas wish and make me a CPA. Mostly because I don’t want to study anymore, but also because those letters come with more opportunity and a pay raise. Not too shabby.

Wish me luck this week as I do my final reviews and such. This is it!

Posted on by Karissa · 1 Comment

It’s Go Time

It’s November first, which means I have 29 days until my last CPA exam AND NaNoWriMo has started.

Because of said final exam, I am not expecting to hit the 50,000 word mark this year. I will be happy if I manage to write anything at all. If you want to join me, sign up at nanowrimo.org and add DestinyDalma as a writing buddy.

I’m going to double down on my study habits this month as much as possible. That means I will be studying while the turkey is frying in 3 weeks. I want to be done with this exam, especially before all the new tax laws become testable. To everyone thinking about taking the exam- take REG now. It’s only going to get harder next year.

I’m still going to try to post two times a week to keep y’all updated on what’s going on. They may be short posts, but I promise I won’t forget about you.

Posted on by Karissa

Out of Vacation and Into the Fire

I got chosen as fire warden for the office, so that “into the fire” bit of the title made me laugh and I am not ashamed of that. I find myself to be hilarious.

The cruise was AMAZING. We were on Brilliance of the Seas sailing out of Tampa. The weather was beautiful, the food was to die for, and we got chased by what is now Hurricane Michael back to the states. We had an ocean balcony room, and I will probably never go to a non-ocean balcony ever again. It was so peaceful sitting out there watching the waves.

For Taylor’s birthday, I got him an excursion at Grand Cayman that took us to the city of Hell and to the turtle sanctuary on the island. My man loves him some turtles. He was so happy and excited. We got to touch the turtles, pick up the turtles, and even swim with the turtles. We also learned a fun fact about Grand Cayman: chickens and iguanas are EVERYWHERE. My mom would have hated every minute.

That night we also ate at Chops which is the specialty steakhouse on board. This may sound bad, but that steak was my favorite part of the cruise. I am still dreaming about that fillet, guys. Chops is forever a must do for us on cruises.

Cozumel we literally got off the ship, went to the duty free store, and bought some good liquor for half the price as it is at home. I estimate that the bottles will last us a few years as we barely drink, but worth it.

The shows and quizes were so much fun. I mainly watched them while Taylor gambled, but it was a fantastic time. I even finished four books in the one week we were gone! One was already half done before we boarded, but I’m still claiming four.

Of course, I came back to work a week before extended tax deadline, so I’m VERY busy now. The tax department is on fire trying to crank out returns. I do like being busy as it takes my mind off the fact that I am no longer on vacation, but I would be lying if I said I have not looked at our Alaskan cruise planner for our sailing next August.

Cruises are great. Best vacations ever (plus you get A LOT for your money). I must really try hard to stay out of the post vacation funk to survive this deadline.