Everything, apparently (according to my father.)

Once again I find myself wading out into the murky waters of the unknown; to go to Italy for a master degree, or to not?

The application, completed. The transcripts, secured.

My bank account, and overall financial future, not so much.

I got engaged two weeks ago, and have enjoyed celebratory drinks and meals, but looming is the uncertainty about our next chapter together. Will I continue a life strapped into a career that doesn’t inspire me but provides the comfort and stability of a warm home and lifestyle creep?

Since the age of 15, I’ve never not had a job. I waited tables throughout high school, college (even paid my way through senior year on a server salary), and beyond. Since Covid, I’ve enjoyed the perks of the 9-5 office job; fantastic health insurance and a steady drip of income every few weeks.

My partner, though, has taken the less-trodden path. Trudging upwards at a startup has not been without it’s pitfalls as the flexibility and upside potential is not without cost.

Which brings me to today – another year has gone by and another application tab is still open on my desktop, along with Fidelity, Vanguard, Chase, Bank of America and American Express. How many Reddit articles can I write, anonymously asking strangers advice about what they would do in our “net worth and cash flow profile” situation. Is the financial risk of a life of beauty, adventure, and unknown worth the plunge? Will my values hold up when our bank accounts start to retreat?

Only time will tell..