Back to School

In June I was accepted to FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship for the Accredited Financial Counselor® Program (wow that's a mouth full). FINRA is the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States and it sponsors around 250 military spouses each year to go through a program offered by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE). This program costs $850 and I get to take it for free! It took until mid July to finalize everything and for them to determine my required practicum hours. With my background and experience I only have to complete 400 hours! Which is a lot but it's also the minimum required hours. They can require up to 1,000 hours. The program is made up of two courses: Personal Finance & Financial Counseling Debt Management. I started my first webinar course last night! Preparing for the class I felt like I was back in school reading finance textbooks :)

Another blessing with this whole program is that I can work on my practicum hours through the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society. I don't think I've ever mentioned this on the blog before but I've been volunteering twice a week at the NMCRS Norfolk office since November 2009. NMCRS is a non-profit organization that offers financial (through interest free loans & grants), educational and other assistance to eligible service members of the Navy and Marine Corps. It's an amazing organization and is staffed primarily by volunteers! Moving to Norfolk last July I thought I had it all figured out - I would take a few months to enjoy married life and then go back to work for Edward Jones part time. I had worked for Edward Jones up in Northern Virginia and had already found several offices that wanted me to work for them. I kept pushing it off and finally realized although I was good at the job, I wasn't passionate about it. Sometime in August I attended a Officer's Wives Meet & Greet and there was a small table about the NMCRS. Finally in October I got my butt in gear and started training to become a caseworker. It's been awesome! As a caseworker I interview Sailors & Marines seeking financial assistance. I can say I love my job :) There are definitely times where it can be frustrating but it's also very satisfying when I know that I've helped someone.

Alright I'm off to clean my house and start reading for my next class!