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After struggling for more than a decade with crazy-expensive medical issues, we’re finally debt-free and consistently making more money than we spend. Now we’re trying to figure out how to arrange our finances — and how to plug the gaping holes (retirement! college! home ownership!) that we simply weren’t able to tackle previously. Now that the debt mountain is gone, how should we prioritize? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:13 AM - 12 answers

I'm a postdoc. I was just invited to apply for a managerial position in a small nonprofit working in an international biotech/resource equity space, interfacing with lots of corporate folks. Have you made the switch from academia to a non-profit or corporate workspace? Please tell me about it! [more inside]
posted by ChuraChura at 4:06 PM - 8 answers

I moved and needed new insurance. I talked to a family friend who is a broker and he quoted me ~1,900 annually as my lowest rate. I went through Progressive (talking to a broker over the phone for the quote) and they quoted me ~1200 annually. I talked to the family friend again, and he's skeptical: he thinks that that they will give me one month at this rate and then jack it up to match his quoted price (maybe a little more). More detail inside, but should I expect this to happen? [more inside]
posted by codacorolla at 1:18 PM - 8 answers

We're buying a house soon, and are tempted by the idea of an ethical bank. It's more than double the cost though - would that money be better spent (as in, be more useful to the world) donated somewhere else instead? [more inside]
posted by twirlypen at 12:15 PM - 10 answers

I owe back taxes, have some credit card debt, and need to learn how to budget. I know about all the favored budgeting books and apps, but I have a really, really hard time understanding them. I would love to have a professional money-dealer-wither-person tell me what to do. But I'm only recently solvent--was low-income up until a year ago--and can't afford a fancy accountant. Does the kind of professional I'm looking for exist, and how do I find one? More details under the cut. [more inside]
posted by adastra at 11:07 AM - 11 answers

I'm going to doctor the name and picture on my work ID card with something interesting / funny / off-kilter. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by brappi at 10:00 AM - 12 answers

I'm interested in starting a career in enterprise software sales (ie. work at Salesforce), or any other B2B sales job. I have no sales experience, the only thing I can get is telemarketing. I'm unsure if that will lead anywhere. [more inside]
posted by catbird at 7:37 PM - 8 answers

I've had a whole range of jobs, starting at a startup (a job I got through word of mouth), into Government, then a University and now a charity. I've come to the conclusion I need to be back in a startup because it's the most innovative, fast-paced and problem-solving environment. [more inside]
posted by london explorer girl at 3:09 AM - 4 answers

I'm a freelancer, but the majority of my work is with one agency I've had a relationship with for 7 years who works with a variety of clients. I was very eager to begin working with this agency even though we were on opposite coasts, so I've been available 8-5 and do things like announcing when I've logged on in the morning, letting the client know when I'm grabbing lunch, and being available for messages and phone calls anytime during the day. I want to shift away from this. [more inside]
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 12:11 PM - 9 answers

I have the fortunate problem of being able to make my own hours. This, however, is challenging for me as I do better with being given structure rather than creating it! [more inside]
posted by rglass at 12:38 PM - 2 answers

Just returned from a cruise where musicians performed in various venues on the ship. Looking at the schedule, it seemed that none of them played more than 3 or 4 hours out of every 24. What other jobs do they do when not performing? (FWIW - this was not a cruise focused on music.)
posted by John Borrowman at 9:41 AM - 13 answers

I have a credit card with a huge balance. I'd like to explore options to take out a loan with a lower interest rate than the card to pay off the bill and then pay down the debt with the loan. Help me figure this out? [more inside]
posted by thereemix at 8:19 AM - 19 answers

What it says on the tin. Do you or someone you know have a food-related career that isn't cooking/baking? I'd love to hear about it. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:26 AM - 18 answers

What rate should I charge as an amateur copy editor for fiction? [more inside]
posted by daisyk at 7:13 AM - 7 answers

My workplace is launching an initiative encouraging everyone to add their pronouns to their email signatures. Many people had already taken the initiative, as this has been an optional field on the email sig template for a while, but it's becoming a formal addition, per our style guide. This is being handled in a thoughtful and sensitive way, and they are taking care to explain the concept thoroughly, and getting employee buy-in, and that is all great! Except: the prospect of actively claiming a specific set of pronouns in my workplace is freaking me out. What do? [more inside]
posted by halation at 8:47 PM - 24 answers

Are there good tools for personal budgeting that are good at handling spiky income (I get paid bi-weekly, but also get semi-annual stock vesting) and spiky costs (childcare, property taxes, quarterly estimated taxes, etc.)? [more inside]
posted by heresiarch at 3:53 PM - 12 answers

I need to switch jobs some time in the next year or two. I have no idea what my experience and skill set qualify me to do. Is there a resource or service that can take my qualifications and suggest some good alternative careers in which I could ACTUALLY get a job with a future? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:58 AM - 8 answers

I graduated five years ago with a BA in Computer Science from a fairly reputable school. Since then I haven't used my degree much--possibly (probably) due to a lot of difficulty I had at the end of the program, what with severe imposter's syndrome and some other personal/health issues--but I'd like to start. What's the best way to go about this? [more inside]
posted by junques at 8:50 PM - 8 answers

I sometimes (1-2x/week) use 4mg nicotine lozenges to get through long, irregular shifts that often go overnight. I used a lozenge both Monday and Tuesday nights, only using about half each time. I just found out that the new awesome job I just was just offered requires a nicotine test by Friday (two business days of job acceptance). The documentation states the offer will be rescinded if I test positive. What are my options? What's the likelihood this level of usage will show up? Should I try to delay the testing till Monday?
posted by anonymous at 8:59 AM - 3 answers

If I'm getting a very small touch-up (like less than 1/4 inch) of some new ink that my skin pushed out of a 6-week old tattoo, and this is a free service, should I tip? If so, about how much?
posted by outfielder at 7:24 AM - 5 answers